Tube 2nd system for 5k.

If you insist on Chinese, the Consonance Ref SACD is great and goes for cheap used. Also the Cayin 500 is really nice but kind of hard to find in the USA.

As for speakers, I find Chinese gear needs rather detailed and forward speakers to compensate for their softness. What size room do you have? If small, I would get a pair of JM Lab Electra 906. Otherwise, Thiel CS 3.6 or B&W CDM7nt. I would recommend spending a large part of your budget on the speakers. Good luck! Arthur

I was thinking Chinese for bang for the buck. I know almost nothing about tubes other than what they sound like. I would greatly appreciate your omitting Chinese from my question just using the 5k as a guideline. Room is a good size with open staircase leading to upstairs bedrooms.

Stay away from China. The stuff cheap parts and shoddy labour. There is so much made in Canada USA gear out there.

Look at Rouge for amps and pre amps. Look Make sure you spend at least 25% of your budget on a CD player. Source is mo0st important part of Audio system. DOnt let anyone else tell you otherwise. Speakers generate the most profit for MFGS and dealers. Thats why they say spend the most on speakers. Its just not the case. I have spent days with some dealers doing the swap outs. By far the CD player makes the biggest difference.
If you can find a Kora Hermes DAC jump on it.
Speakers Silverline, Coincident, Totem, to many to mention.

Good Luck.

Thanks maple,

The screename betrays your allegiance. i've heard no such thing about consonance and have demoed it and it sounds good. I'm no expert though.

Take care,

JSONIC