I need help choosing my next tube preamp.

The tube compliment for some models above has been incorrectly stated. The BAT 30 and 31 use 6 6922 tubes while the 30SE and 31SE use a quad of 6H30 tubes. The Aesthetix Calypso uses a pair of 6922 (6DJ8 work too) and a pair of 12ax7. So if Audfile is looking for models not using the 6H30 tube, the listed candidates is valid. The CAT would be worthy of consideration if balanced I/O was not needed/wanted.

I can not speak about the 30 or 31, but I had the 6H30 based 31SE for 2 years, and it had great "harmonic warmth of tubes". It just has a little bit of a roll off on top which reduces the detail and ambience in this range. This latter sonic character is not at all an issue with the Calypso. But the Calypso does not have the same bloom in the mids. It's one tradeoff for another here.

For a few hundred $$ more than the LS-15 as sold on the used market, the LS5 is a logical choice. Even with stock Sovtek tubes, this significantly outperforms the LS15. With an investment of Mullard or Tele tubes, a replacement of the caps to Dynamicaps, or perhaps a GNSC update, this modded LS5 would be an unbeatable value in the <$3000 or so range.

There is no way anything can be tagged as "best"; such a label has no value. And the only way to truly know what works for you, in the context of your system and relative to your LS15, is to bring home some of these models and do a direct shootout in your system to your LS15.

I've been offered to demo a Calypso and VK-31 in my own system. I may take advantage of it and check these units out first hand.

Jafox, little roll-off at the extreme highs would most likely not hurt me too much with the B&W N803 speakers that I'm using as they sometomes have high frequencies to spare. I'm willing to experiment. But my goal is to get a smooth preamp not lacking in punch and dynamics. If this is possible.

I've heard lots of good things about ARC LS-5 but I don't think it will work good in my system due to very high output gain of this preamp and input sensitivity of the DNA-225 amp. I've modded my LS-15 with Dynamicaps. Dynamicaps are a nice improvement over the original caps, but still, I'd like something a bit more relaxed sounding.

What about SF Line-3SE? So far it hasn't been mentioned. I've never listened to it, but am very familiar with Line-1SE. How could the Line-3 be characterized vs Line-1? I kind of like the sound of line-1 but I think it lacks a bit in dynamic drive.

I'll add to the list of desired features the XLR inputs and outputs and a remote control. Sorry...missed it in the beginning.

I'll add to the list of desired features the XLR inputs and outputs and a remote control. Sorry...missed it in the beginning.

That removes the Lamm from consideration.

I've been offered to demo a Calypso and VK-31 in my own system. I may take advantage of it and check these units out first hand.

Always the best way to answer the question. Enjoy!

Thanks Boa2.

But please keep the suggestions flowing. It's been years since I shopped for a preamp and I'm really unfamiliar with the sound of the latest models. I'm also planning on visiting few NYC hi-end audio stores, just to take a quick listen to few preamps. This won't be as good of an evaluation as I would be able to do in my own system, but at least I may get an idea.