Pairing older NAD power amp with newer preamp

I understand all too well !!! A few years ago I bought a passive, home made JC-Two preamp on Audiogon that has sounded quite good used as a back up, and was well below your budget. Not sure if they are still available.

Sandspur, I believe that the 6N16B was developed for some specific military applications, which is one reason it is rated to have a very long lifespan, as I mentioned. It is unusual in that it connects via wires which emerge from its bottom, rather than solid pins. I am aware of just a few audio components that use it, although all of them seem to be generally well regarded at their price points.

The 12AU7, which as with most tubes that are used in audio applications is installed by being plugged into a socket, is widely used in audio components at pretty much all price points, even in some cases in components costing well into five figures. And as I mentioned earlier, the sound of a component which uses it can be altered and tailored significantly by substituting tubes of different makes and vintages. Here are some examples most of which are currently manufactured, and here are some mostly vintage examples.

Also, in case it wasn't clear, "IIRC" = "if I recall correctly." I usually try to minimize use of Internet shorthand, but I don't always succeed :-)

Regards,
-- Al

Sorry, the JC-Two is not passive

Thanks, Al and J135. I'm sure there are a few interneters getting a chuckle out of my lack of internet shorthand wisdom. Oh well...I'm getting educated on a couple of fronts here!

Hopefully you're having fun...