I also wanted to place tubes in my system while staying with SS amplification. I started with a hybrid integrated and went to separate tube pre/SS amp. Now have a DAC with tube output stage and a tube pre feeding a SS amp. My sources are all digital. Vinyl adds complexity regarding system gain.
The Quicksilver line stage pre mentioned by yogiboy retails at $1300. Dennis Had makes one that sells at similar price. The Schiit Freya+ seems to offer much at it's price . It can be run as a passive or supplies a lower level of gain when used in tube mode. I currently own a Jolida Fusion pre. It has served me well over the last 7 years. It has more gain than the Quicksiler or the Had. I am not versed on the new Black Ice version. Due to the change to Black Ice the Fusion can be found discounted I believe. Originally sold for $1350.
As djones51 suggested, if you consider a hybrid integrated the Vincent would be hard to beat at your price point. Another option would be the Pathos Classic One MKIII. The Pathos provides less power than the Vincent. I have owned a Vincent SV226 MK and wish I had never sold it. I currently own a Pathos Classic One MKII. It is a showcase piece with a very smooth sound. My recollection is that the vincent maybe had a little more punch. Hard to fault either.
When pairing separates, so much depends on the gain provided by sources/pre/amp and power requirement of speakers. An integrated simplifies this chain. Separates do offer flexibility.
Keep us posted regarding thoughts/decisions. I wish you the best in your search.
The Quicksilver line stage pre mentioned by yogiboy retails at $1300. Dennis Had makes one that sells at similar price. The Schiit Freya+ seems to offer much at it's price . It can be run as a passive or supplies a lower level of gain when used in tube mode. I currently own a Jolida Fusion pre. It has served me well over the last 7 years. It has more gain than the Quicksiler or the Had. I am not versed on the new Black Ice version. Due to the change to Black Ice the Fusion can be found discounted I believe. Originally sold for $1350.
As djones51 suggested, if you consider a hybrid integrated the Vincent would be hard to beat at your price point. Another option would be the Pathos Classic One MKIII. The Pathos provides less power than the Vincent. I have owned a Vincent SV226 MK and wish I had never sold it. I currently own a Pathos Classic One MKII. It is a showcase piece with a very smooth sound. My recollection is that the vincent maybe had a little more punch. Hard to fault either.
When pairing separates, so much depends on the gain provided by sources/pre/amp and power requirement of speakers. An integrated simplifies this chain. Separates do offer flexibility.
Keep us posted regarding thoughts/decisions. I wish you the best in your search.