Recommendations for an Amp/Preamp combo excellent musically and very reliable

I'll throw in mention of Hegel.  My system is the Hegel H360 to Sopra 2 speakers with a pair of REL low frequency drivers.  (REL doesn't like to call them "subs").  Electrons come from a Synergistic Research 12UEF.  Good cables throughout.  The internal Hegel DAC is bypassed and the digital signal is processed by a Holo May.  I find the system to be clean, airy, resolving, tight articulate bass.  And the extremely important mid and lower-mid range has warmth and fullness but is not over expressed, which suits my personal preference.  Overall the Hegel+system creates a palpable soundstage with at times very beguiling presence.  My room is terrible, btw.  Like, terrible.  But the future holds promise.  Also, if anyone is using a Holo May and your phase lock loop (PLL) is off, please try with it turned on.  It was a PITA to figure out an it causes an initial delay of anywhere from about 1-10 seconds when switching or turning on sources, but the improvement in sound can be dramatic.  At least it was in my case.

mllc

Definitely a tube preamp with a solid state amplifier, would be exactly what you are asking for. For disclosure I own a CODA S5.5 amplifier paired with an Aric Audio Motherlode XL preamp......everything I could ever want

Preaamps - Aric Audio Motherlode II $5,750 (RCA jacks only) or Motherlode XL $6,875 (RCA and fully balanced XLR), Don Sachs/Lynn Olson Raven preamp $6,395, Backert Labs Rhumba Extreme 1.4 $8,500, Supratek 6SN7 Cabernet $4,500 or Grange $6,500 (though Supratek is shipped from Australia.....tariffs?"

Solid state amps - Coda #8 $6,800 or #16 $17,500 for sure would be my first choice......Pass Labs X250.8 $11,500, Sanders Magtech $12,000 would be second for me. The CODA S5.5 is a supremely talented high current amplifier, but probably would not be a good mix for your speakers. Obviously there is more expensive gear you could buy that would fit the bill as well.

@mllc , what you describe certainly sounds like a SS amp paired with a tube Pre is what you need, as many prior postings have picked up on.

My amp recommendation is easy = CODA.

Many fine tube preamps have already been mentioned (Allnic - Aric Audio - Backert Labs - Conrad Johnson - Don Sachs - Linear Tube Audio & Spatial Audio), along with a few that have not been mentioned, such as BAT or Herron Audio. So, this is where you must decide which one offers the best combination of price - performance - looks - etc.

Good luck in your search!

Now that the PMG series is coming out, the PS Audio BHK preamp and BHK 300, mono blocks have become very affordable.  They both have tube front ends so you can tube roll and change the sound to your liking.  I’ve had mine about a year now and unless something drops into my lap, I plan on keeping these for quite a while.

All the best.

+++++ on Pass-Labs electronics. !  I have an XP-22 preamp and XA30.8 stereo amp and have had several First-Watt amplifiers.  They're "bullet-proof" and have a reputation for quality and especially reliability.  They also have great sound quality.