The temple site has a review of the monos from Enjoy the Music.com. The review is very accurate IMHO as it echoes my own observations regards the monos and my valve monos and valve power amp. I have kel84 amps as opposed to the 300b the reviewer uses but his descriptions as to the differences are spot on.

I would be tempted to try them with the Pre you already know then beg or borrow a passive/active to experiment. Temple do they're own Pre but I haven't tried it.
The review also highlights the advantages to be had going battery powered.

Let us know how you get on....