What tube pre-amps pair well with Pass amps?

I heard the pass xa25 with Backert tube pream it’s a superb combo , all the accolades you mentioned were all there and some...

You've got a smattering of responses and I'll add mine. When looking for a pre to pair with my first watt f4, I read a lot about tubes and topologies and eventually settled on 6sn7 based units. If you want a balanced design, I'd look at atma-sphere's offerings. For single ended, I was choosing between de Havilland, Don Sachs, and supratek. I eventually ended up with the Don Sachs and it improved everything about my system performance. Didn't get to demo the competition, but from the reviews, I don't think you can go wrong with any of those choices. The 6sn7 is nicely linear and sweet. I'll probably still try out a supratek at some point...

VAC for best sound.

Currently using a ARC Ref 5se with Pass 260.8's, to me a very good combination

KR is a Czech company which helps keep the prices down a bit compared to Germany. They are best knows as a premium manufacturer of tubes and their Kronzilla power amps.  

I sell a lot of their tubes.  Quality is extremely high though as odd as it sounds, the KR amp does really well with EML 45s.  KR tubes are best when the current can be increased when biased which doesn't happen in a preamp.  

PM me if you want to discuss pricing.  

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? 

I have a LTA MicroZotl paired with my First Watt F7 and it is a great combo

I am happy with my Audio Research Ref 6 pre and Pass Labs XA 60.8.  Can buy the Ref 6 used.

For many very satisfied years, I had a Pass Labs X 250 paired with an Audio Research Ref 1...I never wanted anything else until I down-sized to a smaller house and listening room...

+1 on the LTA Mz2 with XA-25

Linear Tube Audio Microzotl Reference Pre-Amp.  It's a wonderful piece of gear.

+1 on the LTA  MZ2 with a XA30.8.  This is a very good pairing and drives my Vandersteen Treo CT’s with finesse and power.

Linear Tube Audio ZOTL Preamp

I have a Pass XA30.8 paired with a VAC Renaissance MK5 preamp.  Works very well together musically bolstered by design compatibility in impedance, gain, and both having fully differentially balanced circuits.  Drop a pair of NOS 6922 into the VAC and you get the quietness of a Class A SS amp paired with the tubey goodness of the VAC.  A perfect pairing in particular with speakers around 8 ohms and 90dB sensitivity in my experience.

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 most helpful information you could provide would be what sound qualities you value and/or would like to improve upon.  Without that this is really just a shot in the dark. 

Thanks for the lead VERDANTAUDIO.  German company?  Its a big world out there.

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? 

Check out the KR P-135.  Has XLR ins and outs.  Review at positive feedback is glowing.  
Full disclosure I am a KR dealer but I think it would be a cool match.  

Billtro

What’s the budget? New or used? 

I use use a PS Audio’s BHK Signature preamp with a pair of Telefunken 12au7’s from the early 1960’s into a Pass Labs xa30.8 class a stereo amp and it sounds amazing. Hope this helps.

Scot