Solid state to tube

What model are your 3A's (isn't Lintegre a YBA model)?

Also, how large is the listening room?

Wondering if lower powered DH/SET, SET, Parallel SE, OTA or PP amps are an option.

DeKay

If you want to start with your existing power amps and start by adding a tube preamp these are the less expensive models that interest me, and I've been using tube gear (predominantly) since the mid 70's.

I'm out of touch with auditioning recent models and my interest in these items is based solely upon numerous online reviews (including those by A'Gon members who's opinions I have come to trust over time).

First up is a combination head phone/speaker amp that can also be used as a line stage preamplifier.

If you search A'Gon there is a review/post of it comparing it to their much more expensive preamp (the poster owned/used both in their system).

DeKay

Lastly:

I thought that this inexpensive/well reviewed ($1500 300B based DH/SET) amplifier might be a fun option, but  due to the size of your listening room I'm not certain if it would work.

I gathered that you would like to limit expenditures @ $3k or less.

In my opinion the difference between decent DH/SET and other designs (excluding a few OTL amps I've heard) is not subtle.

DeKay

Last up is a kit amp by Bottlehead (I've used their early inexpensive offerings for the past 20 years, thus the interest in this new product).

I was not aware of it until a recent "user" post that I read here on A'Gon.

If you are not interested in building a kit I think that they have someone (with a long standing positive reputation) mentioned in their forums/site who will do so.

DeKay

Second up is a very inexpensive preamp that is, IMO, a tube rollers dream (and/or nightmare depending upon the individual).

I have gobs of the various tubes it can use (all old production) so it would be a nice dream, and fun, for me.

https://www.musicalparadise.ca/store/index.php?route=product/product&path=59&product_id=103

DeKay

Does your TotalDAC model have a tube output stage?

I saw one model/version using 12au7 tubes, another with 6dj8's and another without tubes.

Interesting gear.

I just looked @ the Linear Tube Audio (LTA) site and their MZ2 model is sold out.

DeKay

Is your budget for the preamp (only) still around $3K?

I looked up the input impedance of what I believe to be your SS power amps and they were in the 20K-27K range.

Both should mate fine with contemporary tube preamps, but it wouldn't hurt to throw out the model number of the preamp(s) you are seriously considering.

Never heard Meitner and the only YBA was an integrated amp a long time ago.

I did have a CD player and an integrated from YBA's super budget line (forget the name), but they were just OK and nothing like the YBA branded amp.

DeKay