SS preamp with tube amp

Thanks Charles!

If uou want ultimate resolution a integrated amp is not the last word in resolution 
At least half  the money hoes inyo the Amplifier section.  
Yes it will work fine but many integrated  amps donot  have a Active preamplifier 
Section. This is why a Dedicated  preamplifier from same company for example 
Will bd noticeablyou better.  If uou want the Absolute best in resolution 
For example like a Single ended amplifier, - Direct only one stage. 
Myself just started comparing and now owning a Direct Heated Triode Preamplifier.  Such as myou  - 45 Tube  two box preamplifier. The 45 is a Great 
Tube for pure musicality. The only problem  is your builder needs to match proper gain  over 96 db speakers can magnify  any noises down stream..
Everyone should at least experience a World class DHT preamp ,and  SET amplifier. Custom built products such as my Class A - Dual mono Pass labs amp
With thd DHT pre is the Solid State version of a SET tube amp  .
Check out master builder Radu Tarta . The quality is Far above Anything  at his pricing Lundahl transformers, Tango, You choose the quality .your hard earned money hoes into the build ,not the mark up .you get 3x the ptoduct.
With only premium parts  to start.   Just do a little research. I have 35years of trial and error. Nothing is perfect in this hobby . Keep your mind open to trying somethjng new.

I don’t know where Audioman is coming from, but in terms of resolution, an integrated may very well be the most transparent and best combination, since everything is in one chassis and the entire design is thought out as a whole. To my mind the limits are usually power and size related. I personally think having fewer gain and buffer stages is an improvement over more, and having an integrated makes this happen.

Usually, if doing a ss/tube combo people go with tube pre’s and ss amps. Giving the tube warmth and color, with the solidity and extension of ss amps, but make yourself happy!

I do think if you are thinking of switching the integrated you should consider the new generation AR as a fine choice. Take a while to warm up though.

I'm not familiar with your Aerial speakers, but picking up on the 86dB spec. I never felt that I did my Thiel CS 3.6 speakers their justice due in trying to drive them with tubes, so also 86dB. They would have probably benefited from a fine 200w SS amp, for example.

Today, I have 300b mono blocks driving much more efficient speakers, and that's a happy mix. When I got the mono blocks I was stuck with an integrated tube amp without a preamp out. I dragged out my old Boulder L3AE line stage as a temporary solution. I had it recapped and it sounds great in my system. Someday, I'll upgrade to a fine tube line stage, but l'm not in any hurry. Just saying.
Kenny