If you had to choose: tube amp or tube pre-amp?

So the general consensus seems to be a tube pre to add to a s.s. amp.

My budget is tight (like living on student loan tight) so I've been looking at the Little Dot MK IV SE (with NOS tubes), but I wasn't sure if it will work with my B&K amp??

If I could find a good deal on a AES AE-3 that would be great, but so far no luck. I've also been reading good things about Dared SL2000A with different tubes.

Any thoughts??

Thanks!

Generally speaking, if you are trying to chose between an amp and a preamp, I would definately say get the preamp first. Not only that, but the preamp is so important to get right, I would buy the best one I could afford, even if it means you have to buy lesser amp and/or wait.

I would say spring for the tube preamp first since you already have a decent amp.
The efficiency of your speakers would need to be closely matched a tube amp type ( P-P, SET, etc.).

I think I would go with a tube Pre-Amplifier first.

I say this because of the way Tube Hybrid Amps are made with the Pre section being tube and the amplifier section being Solid State.

I do not think i have seen it the other way around.

Your speakers would be helpful. If you are set on your speakers I would get a power amp first and then later a preamp If you tell us what your speakers are you will get recommendations for related amplification
Alan