Tube preamp recommendations for Pass X260.8 monos

This one is being compared to Preamps 3-4 times it's price.....One reviewer said it "was the best pre he's ever heard...period ".  AUDIO gd Vacuum HE-1 XLR Fully balanced .with 10 Russian military grade tubes. It's made in China and it's a sweetheart...$4K...talk to Wally @ Underwood.

Even though they are both at the upper end of my uncomfortable price range, I’m really curious if anyone has a sense of the difference in sound character between the Audio Research Reference 6se and the Nagra Classic Preamp. To my understanding they both lean towards the more articulate, non tube-like, dare I say clinical side of tubed preamps, but as it’s not practical for me to do a side by side, I’d love to hear input on the differences between them, or even Audio Research vs NAGRA sound signatures generally.

i don’t mind a little bit of tube warmth, but I’d rather it lean more toward neutral than overdone.

If I were you and you’re running a truly fully-balanced system I’d go with ether ARC or Atmasphere, or VAC if you don’t mind a touch of warmth.  Best of luck. 

OP,

If the new cost of a REF6SE puts you off think about a used REF5SE… or even 5. You will get most of the sound, for much less money. I am sure the average life of an ARC preamp is over thirty years.

I upgraded from an REF5SE to a Ref6se… but mostly because I upgraded all my other components to contemporary REF. Yes, the 6SE is better than the 5SE.. but better the 5SE than something else… my belief. I had a 5SE for nearly ten years. It was never the component getting in the way of better sound.

@aorigoni 

If you are shopping in the price range of the ARC REF 6SE and Nagra, I would at least look at/consider the Thomas Mayer 10Y line stage. Two versions, copper and silver. These are bespoke ultra-quality German made components that are said to sound superb. Admittedly different from what is usually mentioned on this site.

Charles