Tube Amp or Tube Pre Amp

There is nothing like the sound of a GOOD tube preamp. When I replaced my Shiit Freya with a Rogue RP-9 the system was so quiet, and the sound was so ‘sweet’; I could relax into the music, there was no going back. At that time, I had McIntosh MC252 power amps; now the RP-9 is mated to a Rogue ST-100 (Dark) power amplifier (KT120s output tubes), and the sweetness is still there. It is my favorite playback combination driving vintage Warfedale E70s (15” woofer, 1” Mylar tweeter, 5.25” midrange). I have yet to explore the differences between output tubes, like the 300B, EL34, 845, etc. but a good tubed preamp has been my gateway to a smooth sound, holographic sound stage, and generally enjoyable listening. I would start with a really good tubed preamp (don’t skimp) and go from there. 

All tube, but I listen at reasonable volumes.

I second those who have had great experiences with a tube preamp and solid state amps.  I have a Rogue RP-7 tube preamp with Odyssey solid state monobloc power amps that have been significantly upgraded (almost to Kismet) by Odyssey at the time of purchase.  I previously had another solid state amp which I sold to go to a 100 WPC tube power amplifier, with which I was disappointed.  My ears sensed, with the switch to a tube power amp along with the tube preamp, a loss of definition, a diminishing in tonal qualities of the instruments, and less precise imaging.  The switch back to a SS power amp, albeit roughly twice as powerful, brought things back to and beyond what I had originally had with the tube preamp and solid state power amp combo.

I like all tube, but it's probably best to start with a good tube pre ...   C22 mk V would compliment that amp well.  

Tube preamp for sure. As far as the amp goes use whichever (tube or SS) amp you like, as long as the impedance work.