Preamp advice

kunalraiker,

Since you are in Australia, I'd recommend you look at used Supratek preamps. I've heard the 6SN7 Cabernet, Cabernet DHT, and Grange preamps...and they've all been exceptional.

Mick Maloney (owner, builder, designer) has been sick for quite a while and I don't think he is building any new preamps....but if you can find them used, they are great preamps.

Others have mentioned the Aric Audio Motherlode XL preamp, and the Don Sachs/Lynn Olson Raven preamp (sold by Spatial Audio); and I can verify both are amazing.....the best 2 preamps I've ever heard. For disclosure I own Aric's Motherlode XL preamp as well as his Transcend "Push Pull" EL34 amplifier.

Ancient 'phile here. Owned a lot of kit over the decades. but for the last ~8 years a dac/pre; Audio Alchemy  DDP-1, which died about 4 months ago. Thinking it might cost to much to repair, I contacted AA but got no response, which was a blessing in disguise. Being retired living on SS ans a small monthly insurance stipend, even used hi-end kit is out of h question. I had been watching YTVs (made by several non-hi-end reviewers) about various Asian companies making quality audio, but as a Amazon not only do they carry most of the brands I was curious about, but free returns AND 6 no interest payments: first I bought a SMSL PL200T top loading transport, and partly because it decodes MQA (I know not many many of  them available, but still)... Amazing for $500. Next I bought a Topping D90iii Dac/Pre; a one bit, discrete, fully balanced @ $999 (MSRP of AA  when new was $2600), and as good as. Reading more, several reviewers urged getting a preamp. I bought the Topping D90 @$900) . IMHO, all outstanding value for < a quality used transport, dac or pre. High end prices are dinosaurs. The Ladder Bach II is very highly regarded as are several others all < $1500 HTH

@tweak1  I agree the topping pre gets awesome reviews.

I need to try it.

I’ve owned a lot of preamps

aesthetix preamp is a commonly hyped pre here but I’ve had and not nearly as good as I’d hoped. Very limited in resolution. Decent but not next level. 
arc ls28se is wonderful and getting rid of it was one of the biggest downgrades to my system I’ve ever done and ive sold off some very expensive gear. 
wells audio commander is what o have now. It is very good for the money. If I could combine the pros of the ls28se and the commander I’d be extremely happy.  The ls28se size of imaging, super saturated sound, extremely precise non moving around imaging, extremely effortless detail like no other gear I’ve experienced and beautiful black background. Commander has the speed and resolution that isn’t as obvious as the ls28se but it’s there. It has wonderful musicality. Resolution is important to me and I don’t mean fake tilted highs I mean straight up transparency that is worthy of ultra high end gear. Only these two have got me there

I agree the topping pre gets awesome reviews. I need to try it.

Actually, the Pre90 has received mixed feedback from end users. Yes, it was praised by Stereophile, but not every piece of gear they recommend turns out to be great in real-world use. Its sound leans toward the analytical side. If your intention is to switch from your current solid-state preamp to a tube counterpart for added warmth and smoothness, going with the Pre90 would be a step in the wrong direction.