Going Tubing

Like you I had a tube phono pre and wanted to find out what all the fuss was about. so I ordered a Bob Latino ST-70 Dynaco clone. I was shocked at how good it sounded. So It replaced a high $$$ SS amp. I have stepped up to 65 wpc now. My speakers are 93.5 db. However, considering @soix post, I wonder if the VTA ST-120 will work? You could call Dan, the new owner operator and get an opinion. Or, there is a CJ CT-5 preamp on USAM which was a top tier preamp just under the Act 2. Stereophile review said the CT-5 had better slam than the Act 2. Its known that the CT5 comes far to close to the Act 2 performance. The outcome, CJ upgraded the Act 2 to a version 2. The CT-5 never had a version 2 and IMO would be much better than the Black Ice.

Theres also a CJ LP 125SA which is 125 wpc for sale in your price range on USAM. I like to stick with an amp with 4 power tubes rather than 8 due to the cost of tubes. Then too, I don't need the wattage and not sure you do either. You have to make that call. Best of luck

Tubes4hifi vacuum tube amplifiers and kits

I started with a Lazarus tube preamp hooked up to my solid state Distech LS-2 amplifier.  It was a nice combo and improvement over my Hafler preamp, but once I added a refreshed Dynaco 70, followed by the VTA mods on the Dynacos later on, it was a different world. Can't imagine not having tubes in some capacity...so much midrange and treble magic! 

FWIW I drove my old Triton 1.r's with my VAC Renaissance 70/70 with ease. Sounded outstanding! Also FWIW it will be listed on The Music Room next if interested. Fresh from the VAC factory and very new tubes too.

I'm a big fan to tubes and in your case bimmerlover a preamp seems like a good place to start. A really good tubed preamp can be really transformative and a good SS amp will let that tubey goodness shine.

I have GE Triton 2’s which are similar at 91db and have had 3 different tube amps that easily drove the Tritons.  I prefer lower volume (50-80db) with a full meaty sound and had no issues with any of them.  Started out with a Jolida 1102 Integrated 20w el 84 based tubes.   Moved on to a Raven Blackhawk Integrated 20w 6l6 based tubes.  It had a much fuller sound and was just better in every way.  Now I have a Decware Torii Jr v2 20w amp with El34 tubes and it sounds incredible.  Waiting list for a new Decware is 3 years.  I waited 2 years for mine.  Sandy Gross, Goldenear’s founder/designer demos his speakers with an 8 watt set amp at trade shows with no issues.  Fyi- I also drive my Torii with a 6SN7 tube preamp which gives it additional gain.  Next I have a 8w 300b set amp being built and will be fun to see how that drives the Triton’s.  If not, I will  build some 94 db rear Horn speakers similar to Decware’s  DNA2’s.  Tuber for life with a rolling obsession!  Good luck with it all.