What tube pre-amps pair well with Pass amps?


Does anyone have experience with this?  I'm running Focal Sopra No. 2s and I understand the Focal's pair nicely with Pass amps.  Any tube pre-amps you'd recommend for consideration? I like the classical rock, but am gravitating more to jazz, classical and vocals. I just want to try something new.  Thanks.
billtro

Showing 7 responses by billtro

Yabe, do  6H30 tube pre-amps meet the AES48 standard, or is the tube topography considered separate from the line output?  With  impedance matching, I assume your talking to pre-amp/amp impedance?  Can you expand on what your looking for?  FYI, I may be misusing some terms.  If so, please correct me.  TIA.
SOIX, you are absolutely correct.  I've just relocated and am in the process of addressing my new room's acoustics.  Treatments are on order and until I get the set up I won't really be able to tell where I'm at.  Until then, I'm just searching for possible ideas.  Since my current system is all tubes, I'd like to explore SS with a little more slam for complex and/or dynamic music.  

Thanks for your reply.
The LSA website recommends speaker sensitivity as:

Critical listening environments: 105db sensitivity and above

Smaller rooms / lower volume levels / non-critical listening: 97db sensitivity and above.

Aren't those levels speaking to horn speakers? 

Hay Atmasphere, thanks for bringing that point up.  May I respectfully ask for the names of some pre-amps that meet AES48?  As you can see, I'm on a steep learning curve and I know I have a lot of work to do, so any further guidance/direction is appreciated.
Scothurwitz

Thanks for the reply.  I'm currently running Prima Luna Dialogue pre-amp and 2 HP amps as mono blocks, which I intend to keep (read tube rolling fun) in a 430 square foot room.  The PS audio pre-amp has been on the screen, as I have their DMP and DAC.  With this matchup, do you think the Pass Labs XA 30.8 has sufficient power for the Sopra 2's?  I've always been intrigued by Class A amps and its on my bucket list. 

One last thing, do class A's handle sub-woofers? 
Wow!  Talk about a wealth of info!  While I'm still in my researching phase, I want everyone to know that I appreciate each of you for taking the time to share your experience and perspectives!