whats the best pre amp to pair with Bryston 4b cubed? A

at present I run Totem Forests in a 16x 20 space-I listen mostly to classical music so value imaging and soundstage particularly.

Currently powering system with arcam a49 integrated .

So Im looking to upgrade the performance of the arcam in the areas set out above if possible.

In my space the arcam btw is pretty good in those parameters -more and better wd be the goal.

Budget not a factor as being 76 its likely the last major purchase in this arena but Id expect somewhere probably twice what the arcam cost wd be needed to get anything more than a sideways move -so say 16-20 thousand?

That of course for a preamp and amp combined.

exactly my bafflement with lack of love for BP 17 cubed.

Wdve thought it a no brainer all things being equal paired with a Bryston amp.

Anyways thanks for yr comment jjss49 and all the other posters as wel 

Firstly thanks to all for the responses.

For me the totems are keepers-not least because over and above their merits changing the speaker leads inevitably to considerations of electronics and synergy.

Ie I expect if I change the speakers other things as well will be gone,'

As it happens an electrician is coming in in March to cost out installing a new out let in the basement to accomodate a walk in freezer my wife wishes to buy-Im thinking might as well run a dedicated line at that time to the listening room and ugrade the service to 20 amps .

When that will be done dont know but agreeing on price in Mrach probably not till early summer.

So plan is get 20amp service including hospital grade outlets and see where we are.

Noting people arent convinced a Brtyston is markedly better than current arcama49  a vacuum tube preamp is on the list -I can put the arcam into bypass mode in that case.

If that yields results stop there if not consider another amp with Bryston up first

If that doesnt work change out the bryston for another amp or in the alternative try to audition a bryston cubed amp with a bp 26 as one of the posters suggested.

At any rate thats my current plan of attack (unless someone detectes a flaw in the reasoning)

Should be able to make a start in mid summer I think and will report on rrsults thereafter.

Again thanks to all responders

soix 4 notion of putting arcam into bypass was temp measure to assess preamps effect -whether tube or the bp26.

Never suggested preamp section of arcam might be better than the bryston indeed I expect not.

I can acquire here from a local dealer with a reasonable return policy a bp 26 which I can mate with the arcam.

If that pairing woks -keep the bp 26 and get a 4b cubed from same source on same terms.and see where we are.

If better than the bp26 +arcam keep it if not send back.

Was noting that contrary to expectations the music in my room sounds much better when Im standing up.

Thought it odd because most recommendations are to have tweeters at ear height sitting down.

Ques pasa?

Well I reasoned might be the fact that a tv (55 in) perched on my bdi stand between the speakers was the reflection point.

Removed it and Bingo.

Will try covering tv with a quilt during listening sessions but if that doesnt work it has to go.

The room im in has a window (its the back room of the house) so it cant be wall mounted.

I could replace the window curtains with heavier sound absorbing materials.

So as it sits things wd be improved if tv wasnt there .

AS a temp step thats the thing to do and then the question wd be wd a bryston 4b cubed and bryston bp 26 be a even bigger step up than that?

Well I will test that out after the dedicated line goes in -I can get the Bryston equipment from a local dealer with a 30 day return policy.

will report back mid summer Im hoping

Thanks again with advice from all

RE the tv fact is Ive moved

speakers around per Jim smiths book and nver even thought of reflections off TV.

Experience with sound absorption panel useful.

Looks like tv has to go to another room-so be it.

Well next move dedicated 20amp line and upgraded outlets.

Will stay with that and Arcam for a couple months then btrng in the Bryston gear

If its an observable step up keep them -failing that back to Arcam. a49- thanks to all for comments