Which would you choose for good sounding tube preamp for an audiophile new to tubes.

If OP's budget were in the ARC Reference range, he would already have bought it and not bothered asking the question. And he wouldn't be pairing it with that amp!

The use of a tube line stage into a solid state amp is sometimes an unpredictable hit or miss gamble.  Even if the output impedance of the tube line stage is low enough, or the input impedance of the amp is high enough for a theoretical match (e.g., amp impedance is at least ten times the output impedance of the line stage), the sonic result may not be that good.  This is not a common event, but, it is a risk.  I've heard several occasions when there was such an incompatibility resulting in a dull, lifeless and muffled sound.  

Also, to really get the benefit of what tubes can do for the sound, one should really start with a tube integrated amp or a tube power amplifier.  It is in the actual driving of the speaker that the benefits of tubes really become evident.  But, it is also where you can run into problems with the sound.  I would start with looking for the right tube amp, not the right tube line stage first, to get into tube sound.

I have the VTL 6.5 Series II.  I’m just responding to the fellow who said their service was awful.  I’ve texted Bea Lam at VTL twice in the last year and she responded both times with great advice.  So my experience with them makes me recommend them.  The 6.5 is a different beast altogether than what you are looking at so I’ll hold any comments.

Sorry but VTL service is real bad.  You are lucky to have had a response.  Hey , it’s great sounding gear , I’ve said that many times. But if you bought it second hand don’t expect them to help you , especially if it’s older.  They are not like McIntosh, CJ, ARC , those companies always try to restore and repair legacy products 

Odds are you’ll never need service , that’s an excellent preamp .  But they are legendary for poor customer service.