As a starting point, from preamp to amp (and I would assume source to pre-amp), you want to have the upstream component's output impedance to be at least 10x less than the downstream component's input impedance. Across the entire frequency band. As specs across the entire frequency band for input and output impedance are not always given, it is generally a good idea to go with 20x greater or more to be safe.
Another thing you will want to pay attention to is your gain structure. You don't want to have so much gain that you are playing at the bottom end of your volume control, where a small turn of the dial produces a large bump in volume. There are other sound quality reasons as well that you don't want too much gain as well, but I will keep it short and not go into those here.
Then you get into a more subjective pursuit of tweaking the balance of speed, warmth, timbre, etc. For some folks getting the right balance involves having one of these components being tubed and the other solid state (tube amps seem to generally impart a greater tube sound than preamps, for better for worse). Others find the balance they prefer (and which works best with their speakers) from an all tube or all solid state system.
Hope this helps. I am sure others will chime in before too long.
Another thing you will want to pay attention to is your gain structure. You don't want to have so much gain that you are playing at the bottom end of your volume control, where a small turn of the dial produces a large bump in volume. There are other sound quality reasons as well that you don't want too much gain as well, but I will keep it short and not go into those here.
Then you get into a more subjective pursuit of tweaking the balance of speed, warmth, timbre, etc. For some folks getting the right balance involves having one of these components being tubed and the other solid state (tube amps seem to generally impart a greater tube sound than preamps, for better for worse). Others find the balance they prefer (and which works best with their speakers) from an all tube or all solid state system.
Hope this helps. I am sure others will chime in before too long.