How to match preamp and power amp?

Others will likely have good suggestions I have missed ...

Not me! That was a REALLY excellent writeup, Mitch2.

I'll just add a little emphasis to your mention in the first paragraph that power transfer is completely unimportant between preamp and power amp, as well as for any other line-level interfaces. What matters is transferring the signal VOLTAGE accurately.

And although it's not directly relevant, it may be worth mentioning that high preamp output impedance in combination with high cable capacitance can produce a slight upper treble rolloff. That will usually only be a significant effect if the run is very long, and the cable type has high capacitance per unit length, and the preamp output impedance is high.

Best regards,
-- Al

So, my power amp specs indicate an input impedance of 100 kOhms, and an input sensitivity of 2.71 Vrms.  The amp has only XLR inputs on it.

Would I be correct to assume that most SS pre-amps would work well?  The pre-amp I'm researching indicates an XLR output impedance of <160Ω.  Thanks!

That input sensitivity of your amp is on the high side. Your preamp will have to put out 2.71 volts or more to run that amp at full power. BTW, what amp are you using with such a high input sensitivity?

The pre-amp specs I'm researching indicates:  XLR Maximum output level>22VRMS.
The power amp is a Krell FPB 400cx. 

Would I be correct to assume that most SS pre-amps would work well?

Nearly all preamps, whether tube-based or solid state, will have no problem driving 100K. And that would certainly apply to a solid state preamp having an output impedance as low as 160 ohms.

Regarding the sensitivity, the 2.71 volt figure most likely means 1.35 volts per leg (i.e., for each signal in the balanced signal pair), which is about average.

Regards,
-- Al