Tube Pre and SS Power? Or the reverse?

i think the particular interest here in this thread is the op’s actual system (his revel speakers with subs, specifically)

it is common knowledge and practice among experienced hobbyists that for many harder to drive speakers, using a tube line stage with a good solid state power amp often gives the best of both worlds (tubey imaging, tactility, fleshiness of tone -- plus solid state bass control, current delivery, cool operation)

this is why there have been many successful so called ’hybrid’ integrated and power amps over the years (by makers such as counterpoint, c-j, ps audio, just to name a few) 

but for the op’s revels, they do dip to 3.7 ohms in the bass region, probably at a fairly severe phase angle, despite their reasonably high efficiency of 89 dbm,,, then his subs handle the deep bass, so while the hybrid approach can certainly work well in this case, he may be able to drive his setup with a nice tube amp from arc, bat, vtl ... to achieve even greater tubey goodness if his room isn't too large  ... and if he can stand the cost and heat... :)

Power amp is the last stage of signal processing. If you want a true tube sound you want tube power amp too, not just preamp. Sure, if you combine, say, VAC tube preamp with Gryphon power amp it will sound excellent but it will be a modified transistor sound. 

I've had both in my system. C45 with MC275 - it sounded great. Clarity, bass, very organic. Then I tried a C2300 with MC601s. Very lush, sweet mids, great mid bass. 

I kept the C2300 with the MC601s.

I hope that helps. 

I find that the tube preamp give more of a "tubey" sound all around.

The reverse, if you want that tube “bloom” out of your hybrid system. 

I use a tube power amp (Prima Luna Prologue 5) and a SS preamp/ CD player  (Musical Fidelity CD PRE 24).

I have had this set-up in place for the last 20 years, so it has stood the test of time.

For the last 6 or so years, I have been using ZU Audio Dirty Weekender floor-standers as the primary speakers.  

The ZU's are very efficient, so the PL provides plenty of power.  The house sound of the ZU's is very alive sounding, which the tubes compliment well.  

There's also a Technics 1210 TT in the mix.

No desire to upgrade or change.

Rich 

https://www.stereophile.com/content/musical-fidelity-cd-pre24-cd-player-preamplifier

https://6moons.com/audioreviews/primaluna/primaluna_2.html