Favorite Pre Amp and Amp with Vandersteen?

I've used Bryston (3B-SST), BAT (VK250SE), and now Rogue M-180 tube monoblocks. I've also auditioned the BAT VK-55 (tubes). The VK-250 was certainly very good, but I used it for trade-in on the Rogues, which are more transparent and natural sounding. (Actually I auditioned the M-150s first, really liked them, and then decided to order M-180s).

Oddly, it's the tubed Rogues that seem to have less of a sound "signature" than the solid state VK-250. The VK-55 had a midrange to die for, but was missing a lot at the frequency extremes. The Rogues are more neutral, but you don't feel you are losing anything on the frequency extremes.

I use the Rogue's in triode mode, and the only non-stock tubes I'm using are a pair of Ei Elite 12AX7s (Yugoslavian tubes). I tried some RCA clear tops 12AU7s, but preferred the Philips tubes that the Rogues came with.

Perhaps I should have tried the more modest Rogue offerings first, like the Atlas or Stereo 90. I was on a sort of upward spending trajectory when I bought the M-180s, and was also intent on keeping everything balanced (and my high-pass filters were the balanced ones), which doesn't seem as important now in retrospect.

I have not settled on a pre-amp. I'm currently somewhat dissatisfied with my BAT 3iX. It seems to suck away too much detail. I run my DAC directly into the amps.

The Rogue Hera sounds unbelievable with almost any amp in the loop, especially the Rogue monoblocks!

Rogue is one I would like to hear in the tube amp camp.

Tube Audio Design products another in the SS/tube hybrid camp.

in the straight SS camp, I would tend to lean towards some of the better Class D amps.

Many, many years ago I heard the old Quicksilver monos with the original Vandy 2s and was very impressed. FWIW.

Just an FYI. I don't own Vandys, but for some reason I think John Rutan of Audio Connection, Verona, NJ uses ARC gear to power up his Vandys. John is dealer for both Vandersteen and ARC. If John catches this OP, perhaps he can weigh in. Otherwise, I suggest that the OP contact John. He's a great guy and I'm sure he would be happy to help out.

I am not an ARC or Vandy dealer and have no economic or family relationship to John Rutan or Audio Connection.