How to select and pair a preamp and power amp?

Quicksilver Line stage preamp $1295 (new) would likely pair well with many Solid State amps. I've only paired it with an Atoll integrated (on bypass mode) but it sounds great. 

Right on billtro, I am running a pair of REL SH3 subs, could not listen without them!

I hear you buddy.  I have a pair of Focal 1028 be's with a prima luna dialogue premium preamp paired with a PL HP amp.  Beautiful and versatile.  Then I upgraded by adding a second HP amp.  Significant improvement (not that the single HP was in any way bad).  Then I rolled my first set of tubes in the preamp. Again, I heard a difference!  Finally, I completed my speakers by adding REL sub-woofers.  I hated turing that system off at the end of the day!

So with your 1038s, you have an incredible sound that you can go forward with in the years to come, as your budget allows in the real world.  What ever path you chose, just remember, sub-woofers!

If you can bi-wire your speakers, Look for a BAT VK-300SE integrated and pair with a BAT VK-220 (preferably with BAT-Pack cap upgrade).

I used the Fraya+ for a very short time, with a pair of Nord, NC500 one ups, Sparco 2590 opAmps.  My speakers are pretty picky about crap equipment.

Just a wonderful pairing. Plenty of punch, with a nice tube in the pre and SS power amps. BAMB.... It was all under 4,000.00. I bet you can get closer to 3000.00 if you look. All new too, not used... 

Options anyways!!

Regards

@larseand

hp version of the PL dialogue might’ve been a great solution for you...

double the output tubes, tremendous headroom and bass control for a tubed amp

love mine, competes favorably with arc amps at 2-3x $$

I recently sold a PrimaLuna Dialogue Premium integrated amp. I have the upgrade bug and I want to enjoy the full capacity of the Focal. As I mentioned, they are efficient but do better with more power. I do like a warmer sound and listen to mostly acoustic Americana recordings and artists, piano and cello are also among my favorites.

What do you value most in 2-channel performance, what integrated are you using now, and what would you most like to improve upon?  Can’t really make a good recommendation without this basic info. 

You need an amp that can adequately drive your speakers, which may dictate the type of amp you need so I’d start there and match a preamp that synergizes to your preferences.

The question boils down to this: what power amp at around 3K and what preamp at around 2K, in combination, are going to out-perform something like the Luxman 507uxII, which you can also get for under 5K?

if you use multiple sources i suggest finding the right preamp that suits your needs and built around it

At your budget I’d rather focus on quality and stick to integrated—neglecting need of extra ic pc etc. Maybe look to step up in quality from your current unit. Perhaps integrated from Accuphase, Luxman, Pass which I’ve heard (at friends/dealers) paired nice with Focals would work well. Goodluck.

I think most will probably recommend first choosing a power amp that best matches the speaker's characteristics and then pick a preamp that has the best synergy with the amplifier. The size of the room and the listening volumes also play into the decision, in my opinion. I've not heard your speakers but the specs, particularly the impedance characteristics, seem to suggest that they would benefit from a moderately high powered solid state amplifier to show their potential.  

These two 
https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649649181-primaluna-dalogue-premium-preamp/

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisa51jg-primaluna-dialogue-premium-hp-power-amp-tube

I would submit offers you can tolerate. Reliable,powerful and versatile.