I think the VR tubes can be a noise maker if not implemented properly. I've seen a nice, supposedly quiet VR implementation where a CCS was used before the VR tubes to give them the best mA. Decware uses them in their Torii amp, fwiw, so I'm thinking implementation (and good tubes) is key.
I'd love to build a Forewatt, but it's just out of my price range right now. I bought most of the compnents to build a Hagerman Clarinet, minus the iron, he discontinued the boards at the same time. Should have ordered the board first. Guess I could go p2p on it if I really wanted.
I don't really need a preamp, just want to build something that isn't going to cost as much as an amp I tend to cycle on my hobbies and I'm back to audio again.
I could build an Aikido and use it for a headphone amp as well.