For tube sound, which is more important: preamp or power amp?


I have always loved the “tube sound” - warmth, midrange, soundstage. Through the years (since about 1975), I have owned many tube and solid state amps and preamps, in various combinations. Presently, I have a tube amp and a solid state preamp. But like most of you, I am thinking of making changes, again.  Not to cloud the discussion, the specific brands are not important.  I also listen to acoustic music, females vocals, love mini monitors, EL34s, NOS tubes, and don’t care that much about bass.  So you can see that my taste fits the tube sound very well. But I have had systems that are too warm, not enough dynamics or details, and fat in the low end, too.

okay, now to the discussion.  To produce the tube sound, which is more important: the preamp or the power amp?  Let’s talk in general, and (if possible? May not be) not tied to one specific piece/brand/model of equipment.  I know there are exceptions to any general rule.  Not sure if it makes a difference to your comments, but I have no phono and am running line stage only.

As an attempt to prevent the conversation as going in a big tangent, let’s assume equality of price/quality. i.e. not comparing a $10k power amps contribution to a system to that of a $1k preamp.  Let’s also assume that the amp (tube or solid state) can drive the speakers just fine, such that compatibility does not limit the decision. And ignore mono blocks versus stereo amp differences.  

two follow ons: I have  the perception that preamps give you more bang for the buck - meaning that it takes less money to get a great tube preamp compared to a great tube amp.  Agree/disagree? And second, I have never owned a tube dac or CD player, and will assume that tubes in either of these is less critical than in a preamp or power amp. Agree/disagree?

i am interested in your thoughts.

Bill
meiatflask
My now "resting" preamp is a Kavent S33, which is a rebadged (not sure why) Vincent SA-91…it even says SA-91 on the circuit board. These are fully balanced aluminum clad heavy monsters with a couple of serious transformers mounted in a separate shielded side of the preamp…it’s a large seemingly overbuilt thing, and has a 10 db adjustment to get higher output if necessary, and that’s the setting I used. I note that fact because the Freya has a more normal output level and the passive and FET modes are a more typical line level that I can actually run to max with my SEP amp (clearly my speakers aren’t THAT efficient), but the Freya tube setting is much higher gain to provide lots of headroom into my rig.
@charles1dad

I would like to keep the price around $1500.  Maybe $2000 if I could find a bargain at that price.  What is tube biasing and is it something I have to do regularly?
@danoroo  Are you running Paradigm Persona B's? If so are you sure you really need 100 tube watts? They list at 92db sensitivity and 8 ohms. Looking at used moderately powered tube amps in your price range listed here this jumped out at me:

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/tube-tube-monoblocks-lots-of-positive-reviews-4-000-msrp-2017-11-1...

No affiliation with the seller just looks like a lot of amp for the money from a well regarded company. Good luck and happy listening!
@jond Actually I'm currently using a pair of Tekton loudspeakers rated at 98db sensitivity.
But, I like to play the music loud sometimes.  Will the 22W amps you linked to accomplish that?  I'm using a 200W SS amp now.