Tubed preamps that I have owned with Bryston amps (4B-ST, 4b-SST & 14B-SST) - Rogue Audio Magnum 99, Hovland HP-100, Lamm L2 Deluxe (very nice) and now have an ARC LS-26. All were good matches with my amps. Unfortunately I have not had any VTL preamps so I cannot advise as to what may be different from those I have listed above. I will say that the ARC is the least "tubey" sounding off the units I have owned. Dollar for dollar a used Lamm L2 Deluxe is hard to beat...
They say that the 3B-SST is not a true balanced design so using single ended cables over a shorter distance may be just as good. That being said I have found that my ARC sounds best (IMHO) running balanced so I use all XLR cables/connections in all my gear (even my 14B-SST).
If you are not averse to SS preamps don't discount Bryston's own BP-26 - there is a definite synergy between it and their amps although maybe you are just a "tube" kind of guy...
They say that the 3B-SST is not a true balanced design so using single ended cables over a shorter distance may be just as good. That being said I have found that my ARC sounds best (IMHO) running balanced so I use all XLR cables/connections in all my gear (even my 14B-SST).
If you are not averse to SS preamps don't discount Bryston's own BP-26 - there is a definite synergy between it and their amps although maybe you are just a "tube" kind of guy...