Tube Preamp with Solid State Amp?

I’ve been going tube pre & SS amp since 97
All SS before that & needed a change.

There are many tube preamps with different sonic signatures. Some have a nostalgic sound like a CJ or Macintosh.
I would go with VTL. I have for 20+ years.

The VTL preamps are noteworthy. Their design is based on not trying to impart a signature.
I have used a TL-2.5 and then went to the 5.5 (series 1)

Both are pure tube - not hybrid
I would go VTL or Audible Illusions, but it’s VTL for me...

I have a hybrid preamp (VTL 7.5 III) and a Boulder 1060. Best match ever had in my system. Period. 

I use a vintage tube pre-amp (Audio Research LS2 MKII B) with vintage Sumo Andromeda behemoth amps in a bi-amp setup.  I have used and both tried both tube and SS pre-amps before and since and the old king has has never loosened his grip on the throne.  The thing to remember is that your sound will never be better than the tubes you are using, and vintage is generally much better quality and sound.  Of course finding real new old stock tubes (NOS) can be a challenge, not all sellers are trust worthy.  As an example a NOS Siemens and Halske Cca 6922 grey plate used to mean a brand new unused tube in the original box.  Over time the meaning of NOS as it pertains to this tube changed to mean anything that still tested as OK regardless of how many hours it had been used.  Every tube sound different....  have fun.

Main: Audio Research LS-27 with Bryston 4BST3 running Sonus Faber Cremona M's

Office: McIntosh MA 252 (tube front end) Integrated running Chartwell LS3/5A's

My favorite combinations !

For years I used a tubed BAT VK30 preamp with a Bryston 4B SST amp, under the theory that it was the best of both worlds.  Prior to that, I had a Counterpoint hybrid amp and preamp, under the theory that hybrid was the best of both worlds.  I've now gone to all tubes with the BAT preamp and a pair of PrimaLuna mono-blocks, and I've come to believe that the "best of both worlds" theory is just an excuse for a compromise.  Before going to all tubes, I tried bypassing the preamp altogether but, surprisingly, it sounded harsh, so the preamp went back in.  Of course, the Bryston delivered far more power, but I don't notice any lack of power or lack of bass.  To the contrary, there is plenty of bass slam and texture, better midrange detail and transparency, easy, natural, extended highs and a difficult to describe but pleasant, musical quality to the sound.