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

The cubed series seems to have thickened the house sound of the Bryston line to add more tone and heft to the sound versus earlier versions.  I will just say this — I bought a Bryston BP6 because it was supremely transparent and provided the most unvarnished and clear, 3D soundstage I’d ever heard in my system, by far.  If you’re looking for no coloration and an expansive 3D soundstage, go for a used BP26 and you’ll be thrilled.  If you’re looking for more flesh on the bones, go for a VAC or deHavilland kinda thing with tubes if you’re not opposed to that.  Just depends what sound characteristics you’re after.  But, if soundstage and transparency are your primary goals, get a BP26 and you’ll be thrilled. 

Have you looked or listened to other high end brands besides Bryston?

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

I’ve had a 4b3 and BP26/MPS2 for the past couple of years. They perform superbly with my loudspeakers and I think would match up well with your Totems. The Bryston pairing won several Absolute Sound Editor’s Choice awards recently, for what it’s worth.
I updated from 20 year old 4bST and BP25 units I’d purchased new, neither of which had an issue in all that time. The new gear sounds better in many ways, but I was never disappointed in the old gear. I just thought 20 years of use was long enough, glad I made the move.

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.

No.  Just..,no.  Nobody said the preamp section of your Arcam is better than a Bryston preamp.  Get a Bryston BP26 and enjoy your system.