$18k Tube preamp for large scale symphonies please

Philipwu, I have been able to sort out what kind of amp you have. Does it have a balanced input? How long do you need the interconnect cables to reach? Have you considered the effect that preamps have on the cables?

FWIW electronics do not care what signal you put through them; as long as it is a good preamp it will be equally good at doing intense classical as well as rock or jazz.

If you have a solid state amplifier some tube preamps may not be able to play bass properly. Some will do just fine.

I prefer tubes because it is easier to get them to sound like real music. If the preamp is not very fast I am unconvinced, but it must not be bright either. I like good bass extension, but I don't like the extra warmth that many tube preamps have in the mid bass. I want the sound to be neutral without editorializing. Deep bass seems to me the hardest thing for tube preamps to do right, but if they do that right there will be no solid state that can keep up.

BAT REX

hi i don't require long ic, just concern that it should preferably have phase switch & balance knob.
i find many have the extra emphasis on upper bass which i think the designers are trying to make vocals more enticing, most also can't create the sense of space if the preamps are focus on creating artificial warmth(midrange) instead of true harmonic richness. That's why it is difficult to satisfy all above requirements (including my earlier posts). i heard VAC and it's real good however it doesn't have balance knob & phase and its sonic have not reach a standard that make me willing to give up required features and to buy it.
Most tube pre sound quite similar in its overall presentation. i have to listen hard to find their difference, perhaps it's because i don't listen to vocals & jazz to hear their immediate differences. But VAC & Coincidence Statement are unique upon immediate hearing. i hope members here can tolerate my "stubbornness" if any as i have little experience on tubes. This several weeks is my first encounter with tubes. i wanna thank Charles & others whom make descriptive comparisons, and Ealph on sonics from technical viewpoint. i don't know why BAT REX keep showing up and why VTL doesn't?? can anyone explain? THanks again.

best preamp is NO preamp. Tthey all do something...

I have no expertise with tube preamps but I've heard this one many times and for long periods and it' the most realistic and convincing I've heard: the Messenger Pre Amp.
http://www.acousticimage.com/MessengerPreamp.shtml
It hasn't changed much over the years and others have come and gone and yes, it's expensive and certainly there are others out there that can keep up and better it in some ways but it does meet your criteria.

Good luck in your search try everything you can before committing.

All the best,
Nonoise