VTL, CTC, Lamm, ARC, EAR, Halcro, Mark Levison

Dear all,
thank you for your comments, I did not know about this bad news... the CTC Builders Blowtorch was probably my first choice.
Still, ARC3 is a "no surprise" preamp and I'm looking for something very very neutral, the Lamm will give all the soul needed to the sound. This is why the ML32 is in the list...
ART II is for me a very "tube" preamp but I haven't tried it with Kharma.
I know about the Aesthetix Calisto but did not have the opportunity to listen to it. Downunder, the VTL is a fair choice as well, but not sure with ML2.1. and Exquisite, and no more dealer in Paris...
This is my biggest problem, I live in Paris (France) and there aren't that many dealers..
Mike, concerning the DartZeel, I know you have one (I looked at your great system) that replaed the Tenor Hybrid (that I almost bought buy they went bankrupt...)
I would love to hear the preamp but where ????
The other possibility would be the LyraConnoisseur 5.0 or 4.2 L... any opinion on them ?
Gliderguider, can you tell me more about the Audio Design?
Last but not least, any user of Wavac PR T1 ?
Thank you for your help.

Dear all,
here is a sum up of the main ideas :

* L2 Lamm Ref, a bit dark souding but goes well with the ML2.1. obviously
* ARC Ref 3 still seems to be close to what I'm looking for, according to oneobgyn, who owns one and has such a great system
* CJ ART2 and Calysto deserve to be considered, even if they might be the most "tuby" preamp
* Halcro 10 and Mark Levinson don't get many positive feedback
* CTC blowtorch are sadly not done any more
* VTL7.5 is a classic but I have to admit I don't know how it sounds.

now new possibilities :
* The Dart Zeel preamp, which is probably going to follow the same succesfull path than the amp (according toe Mike, who knows what is talking about) and is made in Geneva (quite "close" to Paris)
By the way mike, I'll be delighted to listen to your friend's system when he tries the DarTzeel Preamp
* MBL and Boulder (but not Burmeister?) are at the top of the range as well.
...audio design ?

no opinion on Lyra connoisseur 5.0 or 4.2 line...or Wavac ..

well the list just got bigger...

I will keep you posted.

Thank you

Dear all,
being on Audiogon, I'm obviously searching for a bargain
I've seen CJ ARTII and VTL7.5 on sale right now...must be an ARC Ref3 around as well..
What would you do !!?
Thx

Well I believe that I will go for one of the following :
ARC Ref3
CJ ACT2 (newer than ART2.. any opinion about the differences between the two ?)
Lamm L2 Ref
VTL 7.5
Lyra Connoisseur 4.2 SE Line
concerning the DarTzeel, I think it would be too expensive and unknown to me
Thank you