With my vt-100m2 the preamps I've heard in order of best->vurst
VK-50SE Best,
VK-30SE
VK-5i & ARC Ref 1 (close - didn't own both concurrently)
pass labs aleph P (most transparent)
Adcom gfp-750 (almost as good as aleph P w/vt100)
I currently use the vk-5i. It is transparent, yet very musical and warm sounding. I don't find it dark at all. I use some NOS rca's with some svetlana 5881's.
VK-50SE Best,
VK-30SE
VK-5i & ARC Ref 1 (close - didn't own both concurrently)
pass labs aleph P (most transparent)
Adcom gfp-750 (almost as good as aleph P w/vt100)
I currently use the vk-5i. It is transparent, yet very musical and warm sounding. I don't find it dark at all. I use some NOS rca's with some svetlana 5881's.