Tube Pre and SS Power? Or the reverse?

OP, if you don't really want to deal with tube power amp with many tubes in it, just get Gryphon Diablo 300 integrated used. Your speakers will be delighted, Gryphons can handle almost anything. Optional DAC and phono stage are excellent. This is a true audiophile machine. Gryphons do not pretend to imitate tube sound in any way, they offer different high class transistor sound. I almost bought Gryphon Diablo 120 integrated but at the last moment went with VAC tube integrated. 

"tubey" sound is the term to actually describe specific colouration.

tube sound is something different, it is to describe naturalness palpability textures and correct soundstage presentation.

The traditional approach — tube preamp paired with a solid-state power amp or monoblocks — is generally better. The reasons are twofold: a more linear output stage and improved impedance matching and control over the speakers.

A little late to the party OP ... 

I too have tube pre (Herron) with SS Amp (Odyssey Kismet)

Best gear I have ever put together!

Good luck

Most here say that a tube pre and a SS power is the way to go.  The reason I hesitate is that the McIntosh dealer said to do the opposite.  He says to get the C49 SS preamp and the MC275 tube power.  

He says the C2800/MC462 is a great combo but definitely more expensive and may not produce as noticeable difference compared to a tube power amp (MC275). 

I'm also going with the assumption that the upgrade will even be worth it.  I love my Mac MA352, but people say I "need more power" because the Revel Studios are large, plus I have 2 subs and a big room.  All solid state components sound too harsh for me and sometimes even hurt my ears with too much detail.  I'm hoping the ss/tube combo will give me a bit more detail while keeping the "warm" sound I like.  But again... its an assumption.  

It seems like there's no way to tell without buying the components, compare to what i have,  and then returning them if they don't sound like I hope

Iʻm a fan of vintage gear.  Iʻd do a tube preamp and a solid state preamp.  Tube preamps I like are the classic Mac C22  along with a Sumo Andromeda power amp.  Iʻve always liked the sound of MOSFET amps from that era.