Tube Preamp, uses 6sn7/6sl7. With or Without Phono; With or Without Remote Volume,

Did not know that. Is it now standard on new units? Or optional?

If remote volume a must, then maybe he has to compromise on the demand for octal triodes.  Consider Manley Chinook or Steelhead (used for less than $5K with phono).

Pindac, I see your point, but on the other hand, what is the value of your post if no pertinent information is given that would permit anyone else to benefit from your knowledge and experience? If you want to honor the privacy of the maker, you might find some other way to indicate the name of the  business.  Like "X makes very nice preamplifiers to order, often using the tubes in question".  I just can't see how that could cause problems for the manufacturer, other than an overload of orders. 

ditusa, Good call on the Atma-sphere MP3; I should have thought of them myself.  I own an MP1 and like it a lot, obviously.

Pindac, I don’t understand why you cannot name the guru of whom you speak. Surely he does not do business in anonymity. But is it Thomas Meyer?

MFA Luminescence.