What improvements would I get with a "better" preamp?

C-J Gat. 

i think in any thread about high quality linestages or preamps the advice of the best c-j you can afford, or the best arc unit you can afford (if you run a true balanced system) is rock solid advice

not that there aren't other wonderful brands out there, but you simply will not go wrong if you walk down either of these paths 

Buying a preamplifiers kind of like playing pool. You need to to anticipate the next shot after the one you’re making. So that would be the amplifier and I always viewed the pre-amplifier and the amplifier to be important and should be considered together.

Does the amplifier offer distortion in a way that’s good for you? How does it impact the harmonics? Are you spending enough money so you don’t have to upgrade later?

And you need to talk to a lot of people and not rush a purchase decision. Hopefully you’re not married cause that will complicate things.

@emergingsoul ”Are you spending enough money so you don’t have to upgrade later?”

I’m sorry, but where’s fun in that?? :)

It is easy to second the advice to go C-J.  I love my ART 88, as I did the GAT 2 before it.