Getting into Tube Equipment

Thank you all for your considerate responses. This gives me an opportunity to be pragmatic about the hi-fi that is right for me. 

As far as a budget goes. After a lot of thinking, $12,000 was just too much for me to spend on enjoying music. That said if I am thinking about buying into hi-fi over the next decade, a median of $6,000 and maximum of $10,000 is the most I would feel comfortable spending on a sort of lifetime audio system. The caveat being the equipment is bought over a decade.

 If I were you I would take my time and listen. Go to dealers and listen to different brands and pieces. Listen to everything you can. Even if it is more than you would spend.. Most brands have a house sound. You will get a better feel for what you like and don't like. Then you can make a long term plan and work toward it.

 There is nothing wrong with buying used. Older amps and preamps from Conrad Johnson, Rogue and others are still very nice amps. Some are gems. They were built with high quality parts, especially the transformers. Much higher quality than inexpensive amps. You will get better performance and they will last a lot longer. I bought a used Audio Research Classic 60 in the early 1990's  and owned it for over 20 years. I finally sold it to a buddy who still uses it. It is still an excellent sounding amp.

OTL

Captain a question are you 100% vinyl and if so do you envision going digital at any point? If so your best options would be either a full function preamp with phono or an outboard phono stage and integrated amp. What amp are you using now? If you can do this in stages its a good way to stretch things out. A $6-10K budget is certainly reasonable and lots of good deals to be had secondhand.

I would investigate the following:

1.  Rogue Pharaoh - Integrated amp, Class D 175wpc, 2-12au7 preamp/headphone tubes, and dead silent.  I upgraded the stock tubes to a pair of NOS Amperex "Medical Grade" tubes ($350) and it set the Pharaoh free!  Perfect for less efficient speakers (I have Revel M106).  Made in Pennsylvania by some very cool and dedicated people who deserve the respect they've earned over the years.  $3500 new.  $2500 used if you can find one (few are for sale - ever).  My total with NOS tube upgrade around $3000

2.  Pro-ject Tube Box DS2 - SMREX13 is on point regardings phono preamp volume vs preamp.  I continue to be amazed with the DS2 (also upgrade to NOS Amperex BB 12ax7) and want to point out to everyone that the variable cartridge loading for MC carts on the DS2 IS THE BOMB!  When listening to vinyl, I set the relative volume on the Pharaoh for the album in play and then adjust the cart loading up or down depending on the music playing.  For those musicians out there, the loaded on a MC cart has a similar effect as the "presence" on a guitar amp.  I paid $650 for a new DS2 and another $350 for the NOS tube upgrade.  My total around $1000.

3.  Clearaudio Concept w/MMC - This TT is without question the best value in it's class.  I have the basic Concept TT which I bought (store demo) for $1200 w/MMag cart - then tracked down the Concept MC cart and paid $730 for it new.  The MC cart with the DS2 has opened my ears to a level of audio reproduction never before encountered. My total for TT and MCC around $2000

4.  Revel Speakers - I love my M106's but there's a few others that warrant investigation as I'm sure others will note.  These can be had for around $2K (with stands) - if you hunt hard enough.  I also purchased a Revel B110 Subwoofer (used for $1000) and, in hindsight, should have gone after the floor standing vs bookshelf approach (the wife wouldn't have "big ugly speakers" - period).  My total for speakers is around $3000. 

5.  I have Emotiva and Oppo disk players and Emotiva cables of all sorts.

6.  Last but not least - if you haven't checked out the OPPO openback headphones for $400 - DO SO!  OPPO is going out of business and the $400 headphones are worth every penny.

I'm in for around $10K - and the result is worth every bit of effort and treasure.  For the record - those of you who think you can just stroll into the local HiFi shop and get exposed to all the reasonable options available - Not going to happen.  Best of luck in your hunt for "the sound" ;)