tube pre amp or tube amp


I go through a phase every few years where I choose to "upgrade" my system or make a change just for the sake of doing so. My current system sounds beautiful but today I am curious
I am running an AudioResearch CD9 source through an AudioResearch REF5SE pre amp followed by VAC phi300i AMP
I was considering inserting a high end solid state piece into the system such as a PASS XA60.8 mono blocks instead of VAC. 
I was considering changing out the Audio Research pre amp to a LAMM pre amp (hybrid)
If I would like to interject a solid state component  into my system, would it be more advantageous for that piece to be the AMP or the PRE AMP?
wahoo101488

Showing 1 response by drrsutliff

Previously I had a VAC Renaissance 3 and a VAC PA100 upgraded to a phi front end.  I first changed the power amp to an Ayre VX-5/20 and then upgraded the Pre to the current VAC Renaissance 5. Really enjoying this combination.