I've owned both the Electa Amators and Minima Amators, and find them to all work best with solid state all the way through! The Extrema's should be no exception. I used to use some Audio Research higher end tube pre's with my system, as well as Audible Illusions Mod 3a's and such, and just found the more neutral, less colored Pass Alephs to work infinitely better with those SF speakers! I use a Pass Labs Aleph L line stage with my Electa's, and it is superb!..also cheap used! It's a Nelson Pass built passive/active solid state line stage, that is virtually transparent and ultra detailed. YOu can pick one of these up, or the class A rated balanced Aleph P version w/remote, for not that much, and still maintain the integrity of you're system!
I use the Threshold T200 class A rated amp with my SF Amators/Pass pre set up, and it's superb. I know the sound you're getting from your gear overall, and can whole hartedly recommend the Pass Aleph L or Aleph P's for what ou got!..I know you won't be dissapointed. You'll get the benefits of a pure passive gain, and the benefits of active preamp when you need to crank the volume more!..ingenius really. About as good a preamp's as you could ask for at any prices!
I've seen L's for $850 and P's for $1700 used.
good luck...
I use the Threshold T200 class A rated amp with my SF Amators/Pass pre set up, and it's superb. I know the sound you're getting from your gear overall, and can whole hartedly recommend the Pass Aleph L or Aleph P's for what ou got!..I know you won't be dissapointed. You'll get the benefits of a pure passive gain, and the benefits of active preamp when you need to crank the volume more!..ingenius really. About as good a preamp's as you could ask for at any prices!
I've seen L's for $850 and P's for $1700 used.
good luck...