tube monoblocks and preamp recommendations

Harle,

I agree with both you and Meadowman regarding Rouge Audio.
You may also want to consider the  RP Preamps matched with the Hybrid Models as well. The Hydra and Medusa are very quiet and retain fantastic dynamics.  An RP -1 with a Hydra falls right in your price range. You can also tube roll later on. As for McIntosh  - they are not the same company you remember, Now owned by Fine Sounds. BTW there are Thales Speaker cable up on Agon which would really make your Altecs Sing!

There is a Golden Tube Audio se40 with full sonicraft upgrade, as well as Jupiter cap upgrade here for 850. 

Full disclosure. I use to own this amp and it was fantastic. However, at the time I needed more tube watts. So, I sold it to the current seller. I went with a pair of Rogue m120's. But if all I needed was 40 watts of tube power this amp would still be with me.

Couple this amp with a new Audible Illusions 3b and your in heaven. You are also a hair under your budget.

Roger Modjeski at Music Reference does all kinds of custom jobs these days, lots of small tube amps and simple passive pre's.

Do you know the db and ohm for my 19s?

The speaker is 8 ohms and 99-100 db. It has a few bumps in the bass region where the impedance is a bit higher- typical of a bass reflex. This is a very tube-friendly speaker!

Harle,

i ran my Quicksilver mono amps with a Quicksilver Full Function preamp.   It's a nice pre and built like a tank.   I just feel like the Atmasphere sounds better in every way.  At least in my system and in my listening room.   I can't imagine finding better amps than the Quickies at that price point though.