Anyone looking for a good preamp solution for their Toriis should make sure to check out the Dodd buffer.  Its available in kit form pretty cheaply and sounds damn good with the Torii.  

Compared to running the Torii naked I gain in soundstage width and depth, get a splash more sweetness and resolution and it MAY be a little more dynamic.  

Its just a buffer and has no gain of its own and I recognize the changes I'm experiencing may be just impedance correction rather than what one would experience with an active pre, but two friends suggested it to me--one with a Torii 3 and one with a Mini-Torii, so I'm not alone in liking the pairing.  

http://doddaudio.com/diy.aspx

The single input/single output kit is a laughable $150.  Definitely worth checking out, IMO, though I'm using the full kit.

Was it difficult to build?  What else did you need to build it?  I don't see a case or power supply.

I stand by the things I said the Dodd brings to the equation, but I should mention that I've got a creeping doubt about it raising.  Hard to put a finger on what the issue is, but I feel less of my attention is focused on the music with it in place.

A different tube may be in order, but I need to buy this unit or return it to its owner pretty much now and I'm leaning towards the latter.

Steve Deckert was not kidding when he said the Torii was a difficult amplifier to match a preamp to.  So far Shindo, YS, Dodd and Tubeguru have not been quite 'it' for me...

The Dodd Audio Tube Buffer is a preamp solution that is often recommended for use with Torii amplifiers. It is available in kit form at an affordable price and is known to provide excellent results when paired with the Torii amplifier.

By using the Dodd buffer, you can expect certain improvements compared to running the Torii without any additional preamp. These improvements include an expanded soundstage in terms of width and depth, increased sweetness and resolution, and possibly enhanced dynamics. It's important to note that the buffer doesn't add any gain of its own; instead, it focuses on impedance correction, which can have a positive impact on the overall audio performance.

The fact that two of your friends, one with a Torii 3 and another with a Mini-Torii, have recommended the Dodd buffer further supports its compatibility and effectiveness with these amplifiers. While it may not provide the same experience as an active preamp, the buffer seems to deliver noticeable benefits according to your own observations and those of others who have tried it.