Tube preamp recommendations for Pass X260.8 monos

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

If you want transparency and neutrality, nothing that I’m aware of would beat an Ypsilon PST 100 Mk2, run in passive mode.  

I must second ditusa's recommendation of the Atma-sphere MP-3.  I have a MP-3.2 and using it strictly as a line stage.  It is dead quiet, dynamic and resolving.  It is also a fully balanced design.  The one PITA is the volume control, purist design, fully stepped resistor design.  While tracking is not an issue, convenience may be for some.  I've since gotten over it having had an ARC SP-11 MKII which did not have a remote.  Get some nice NOS 6SN7 tubes in there and you will be very satisfied.

Atma-Sphere MP-3 or MP-1 if you can swing it. Get either one with Vcaps and Caddocks upgrades. Well worth it.