Audio Note Power Amps

@wenhaw 

I suspect that your friend's advice was well intentioned but I do not support it at all. @larryi is offering good insight and counsel. Most SET amplifiers will have high input impedance (usually 50,000 ohms and often 100k ohms and higher). This benefits you as tube preamplifiers tend to have (Generally speaking) higher output impedance than transistor preamplifiers. 

I have never heard your particular Supratek  but am aware of their reputation for very good sound quality.  SET is a distinct niche in High End audio yet there are a plethora of terrific choices available.  No doubt that Audio Note has some fine options but you certainly have numerous other excellent choices out there as well.

I have absolutely no reservations with pairing your Supratek with a high quality SET amplifier.  Are you seeking a certain power range or output tube (300b,845,211,2A3 etc.)?  Indisputably many potentially wonderful possibilities for you. Have you defined a budget range and and what speakers will be driven?

Charles 

+100 your friend is not that well informed. A DHT Supratek would not be disgraced by anything in the AN range and uses the 5881 in shunt (as opposed to AN series) regulation.

I compared a SIT 3 with my Yamamoto A-06-3. The SIT is impressive, it separated information precisely, neutrally, and powerfully. The Yamamoto is very close to all of that, yet it also communicates a rich soul that kept —and keeps— me listening to music. I use late model Audio Note copper mylar caps in the output stage of the Yammy (and previous preamp) ; so AN caps highly recommended! I have not heard their amplifiers. Enjoy your search.

The Yamamoto is very close to all of that, yet it also communicates a rich soul that kept —and keeps— me listening to music. 

So vitally important and completely understood. You can't objectively measure how this is so, yet undeniably present if you listen. 

Charles 

(a friend)... straight out told me that based on his experience with a myriad of AN equipment, if I’m getting an AN power-amp then I should pair it with an AN pre or just get an AN integrated and that AN equipment doesn’t mix well with other brands

Hi @wenhaw,  your friend was probably referring to AN amps' low input impedance which makes them unusual & difficult loads. It's not the end of the world, and the matter can be addressed by the pre's designer. You look like you already have an excellent pre (Cabernet?) so before you ditch it why not just contact its designer -- if you settle for AN, that is.

The Yamamoto is very good but I don't know if it, or any mid-range AN amp, can outperform your SIT-2.