Over the years I have owned tube and solid state preamps (active and passive) and amps (tube, class A and class AB) in every combination (but I never tried the ss preamp - tube amp combo). It is really a matter of preference as the sounds of each combo all have the their strengths and weaknesses. I currently use solid state for both, but had to spend serious bucks to get the sound I like. I use a Pass Labs Aleph P preamp with variable gain and an Accuphase P-450 amp, list price for the pair is about $10K. There are numerous opinions and I truly believe it is part of this hobby to find what is right for you. After 20 years, I do not feel there is an absolutely correct configuration. I have auditioned many systems and combos and found many different setups to sound equally appealing, although distinctly different. Some of the sweetest sound I have heard is from low power SET amps, but the most dynamic sound was from a pair of 500W class A monoblocks. Its all part of the disease we share to seek out our own system.
Try a used class A amp first... Krell, Levinson, Pass or Plinius for several weeks and see for yourself if the difference is something you can live with.
Try a used class A amp first... Krell, Levinson, Pass or Plinius for several weeks and see for yourself if the difference is something you can live with.