Choice would have to include what you are using it for. Do you need phono or just volume control/source selection? Do you need to boost the level of your sources (very unlikely nowadays)? Is you amp tubed or solid state?
Right off the bat I would say you are overshopping. A tube pre-amp (excluding phono) is just a voltage gain stage usually connected to a low impedance output stage (90% of the time a cathode follower.) There is only so much that can be done with this configuration and not a lot of room to cut costs. Truth is a $600 unit may well sound better than a $6000 one.
If you want to 'flavor' a solid state system and don't need gain:
http://www.decware.com/linestage/zp1.htmIf you want gain with 'flavor':
http://hollowstate.netfirms.com/line2A.htmAbout a 'cost-no-object' as I would go:
http://www.audionotekits.com/line.html It's a kit but pay someone to put it together and you are still below $2K with a circuit that has more engineering in it than the highest priced CJ.
If you need phono, I would go with the AN as well.
