8-10k budget suggestions please

Been to the edge and looked over…

I started out much like you. Spent a small fortune on chasing very expensive difficult to drive speakers with with very powerful solid state amps.

I have come full circle. Non-reactive full range speakers with 3.5 watts of SET tube power.
 

I still have my pricey solid state, Levinson Monos and pre with 802D3s—it’s gathering dust  

I did try the “in between” route with push pull tube amps. To meet that seemed like the worst of both worlds, not the best….SET or just stick with solid state.

Again, nonreactive full range speakers are imperative.  These speakers almost all have a hump in the upper mid range. Sometimes a small circuit is used as a notch filter to tame this. I have had much better results with minimal digital EQ in Roon. (Side note…do not try to boost the bass with digital EQ.) I also find the use of a very fast subwoofer critical  with these speakers. Placement is also very sensitive.  
 

I am personally running the Elekit 8900 with amorphous output transformers and v caps, 2A3 tubes with 12bh7 drivers and zero NFB. Denefrips Terminator DAC, Lii Audio Speakers, a pair of REL tx7 subs.
 

3.5 watts of heaven! 

@laaudionut man youre a great writer. I do agree with you. I too have been on that McMarrygoround and I agree… Mcintosh is syrupy flat and somehow bright all at the same time… but they sure are pretty. That being said maybe CODA would work nicely for him? The integrated is in the price range and you can get it biased in class A up to 20 watts and a/b up until 200 i think? Or maybe a used pass labs Int-60?

B+W 804's are efficient enough to use well with tube amplifiers.  I have Naim, solid state, Vincent pre / power, hybrid and Cayin tube amps. Naim is used for TV, Vincent is in my workshop, the Cayin gets played 3 hours a day. 

IMO, the combo of B&W + Krell will leave you with bleeding ears.

 I am in the sell the B&W’s camp, get Tekton Double Impacts, Schiit Yggdrasil, Freya+, a pair of Aegirs and a used Innuos Zen MkIII.

You’ll have wonderful SQ and stay within budget.