Vacuum Tube Preamp for Solid State Power Amp Pairing

The recommendation for the Primaluna Evo 400 preamp above is good.  I used to use one on my primary system and, in fact, it’s sitting on a shelf currently awaiting use in my to-be built system in my vacation home.  I really like their looks and sound in most circumstances.  Gave just the amount of tube sound I wanted.

i did get a weird feedback when listening to certain albums (consistently certain Rolling Stones tracks) at high volume with the Evo 400.  Running balanced into Classe Delta Monoblocks and from a Van den Hul Grail SE phone amp.  Couldn’t ever resolve it.

Switched to a Nagra HD preamp (also tube) and it went away.  The Nagra is markedly better in all ways, so I’ve never switched back on my system.  But they’re generally pretty pricey and not necessary for most systems.

I have Supratek's Chardonnay. Funny as I told Mick to make the best sounding preamp he could, price no object and he settled on the Chardonnay. Cost $3700, usually $2650 st the time. I know the Cabernet is supposedly better or the Grange but I'm thinking he took me at my word as wanting nothing too euphonic, 

And yes, pretty most all his 6SN7 preamps have gain control

I was close to getting a VTL pre amplifier but customer service was a huge problem. Not very friendly out there in California who make this.

I have a Supratek Chardonnay with 6SN7 tubes and it has adjustable gain.  It’s a great preamp!  It also has true balanced input and output so I have it paired with Orchard Audio Premium Monoblocks.  Great combo.