Tubed or solid state. A great tubed pre- is going to be expensive, but you can pair it with a relatively inexpensive ss power amp and get amazing results.
If you're going ss, then the world is your oyster. I think you can find good ss pre's for not too much money. An example would be the Wyred4Sound STP pre new or a used Tom Evans Vibe/Pulse (my current pre which I've got mated to a relatively inexpensive tube amp) And then you can find great ss or tubed amps for not too much $.
I had an EAR 834 mated to a First Watt J2 and it was one of the better combos I've had. My best combo was the Vibe/Pulse and a Berning 300B Siegfried. The biggest regret of my audiophile career was selling my Siegfried to a good friend. One of the few pieces I've had that actually appreciated in value.
