best preamps

Joule Electra LA range
Convergent Audio Technology 
Ayre
EAR Yoshino
Funk
Parasound JC2
Lamm
Atma-Sphere
Mark Levinson 380
Hovland
Aesthetix
First Sound

I have a Joule and I've had the Funk. For unbalanced and dollar for dollar, the Funk at $1100 is stupendously good.

Unlimited budget means a call to CAT, MBL, or dartZeel... they can hit $100k if you want to burn some cash

@caphill 
I was only referring to the preamp. At that price level, you would be able to get a 1 off custom project. CAT is especially known for doing custom.

I like Soulution and Boulder for amps but not much else.

Other than speakers and very large power rated amps, there's not much benefits beyond $10k per component anyways...

Building a good room, assuring good clean ample electrical, and matching components are all that's needed.

All the extra money gets you is a little room to mess up and sound decent...

Oh, or status...

@paul79 
The Funk LAP-2
http://www.funk-tonstudiotechnik.de