Diving into the world of tubes...help needed!

@davekayc They seem nice, especially the Cronus III...but just too far out of my price range. It's about $4000 plus 13% tax where I live.

Speaking of bargain gear, my original series Schiit Freya preamp (there are two newer versions, one without tubes and a supposed improved version of the tubed one) sounds excellent, as does the Schiit Aegir amp I just bought out of curiosity (I generally use a Dennis Had tube amp...also relatively inexpensive)...total for those two was around 1,600 bucks, USA made, and the Aegir is by far the least expensive amp to make the Stereophile Class A recommended stuff list. Note the Aegir needs either efficient speakers (mine are rated at 99db) or use two in balanced mono. I agree with Atmasphere that tone controls are rarely needed if your rig is well sorted, but a Schiit Loki (too much Schiit? maybe...still another very inexpensive option) is by far the least harmful EQ I’ve ever used...utterly transparent (mine is always off until called into service), and useful here and there.

Wolf, I know you were thinking of purchasing the Pass XA25, as was I.  How do you like the Aegir and has it stopped you thinking about the Pass?

It's about time you decided to get into tubes, I bet you will be very glad.

Before tubes, speakers.

Speakers, properly matched in the listening space is by far the most important in any system. Speaker efficiency more important when using tube amplification (not a concern for tube pre-amp).

I understand liking/loving the Focal 906 for a bookshelf situation, like I love my B&W's in my office, but not for the primary music system. What is your listening environment? By the way, I added a powered sub to my B&W's in my office, add just a bit, only aware when you turn it off. Do you use a powered sub-woofer now? I'm not saying you have to have more bass, just want to know more about your goals.

Always consider speaker's efficiency, and speaker's impedance when selecting how much tube power you need.

Focal says efficiency 89db, that is my 'threshhold' for tube power.

This review measured 87db. (not a proven fact, just came up in a quick search, I don't know anything about your speakers or the reviewer), but, if true .........

" The Aria 906’s sensitivity measured 86.8dB/2.83V/m, which is typical for a speaker of this size and configuration. The impedance remains above 8 ohms from 700Hz to 20kHz, and dips to a low of 4 ohms at 200Hz, but never lower." Not a fact, just a quick 

It is said, +3db is needed to have a basic perceivable increase in volume. For any amp, double the power is needed for +3db sound level, so, -2db efficiency is more limiting than you might imagine.

To keep tube power requirements fairly low, i.e. 20-45 wpc  (whole lotta more choices, whole lotta money still in your pocket) I would want more efficient speakers, with more bass from them, or, a stereo pair of powered subwoofers, IF the space allows it. 

Ports: None, or front only like your Focals. Avoid side, rear, bottom ports, too much potential for difficult room interactions.

 

I have a Prima Luna and think its great.   It's a power amp so I can't comment on the pre amp part but you would do well with your own inexpensive pre and a power amp.  The power amps are inexpensive, depending on the model.  I bought a prologue 5 and it was cheap .