Desire to try tubes


So I am new to this have no audio contacts, and low budget it seems based on reading forum. I inherited my brothers Heresy I’s (and LP /CD collection) two years ago and started my journey. First bought a Rega P3 and Rega Fono stage running with existing 20 yo Denon 5.1. Then upgraded the Hereseys from Crites with crossovers and new tweeters (46 yo units). Months later after research and savings bought Stellar GCD and Stellar S 300 amp along with Syzygy SLF 870 sub from Underwoodwally. Nice! Next Marantz 6006 CD as transport and Underwood Emerald Physics and Core Power gold power cords and speaker cables. As able Audio Quest entry connects for all. Each move improved sound. Added a Bluesound node 2i as well only listening to Pandora though. I have no reference to options as I’ve only owned Hereseys and never heard a tube amp in a home and am very curious if a tube pre-amp would be a big plus? If I tried one could muster up to 5k. Just looking for the best sound quality I can afford.
Room is 14.6 x 14.10 x sloped ceiling 8-13’ with 5’ flat section at 13.
128x128bilyeauxbrew
If you still use the Heresies, and they are still 96db sensitive after your mods, and you want the “tube” sound, you need single ended triode amps. Buy used, or buy a kit, to save money (Bottlehead may be a good place for a kit) but nothing touches SETs for glorious sound. Speakers need to be efficient, the Heresies are, but nothing else can match that sound. I built my first one 20 years ago, it still works, and I have never looked back.
I run my highly modded Klipschorns with Coincident Turbo 845 SET,  Prima Luna Dialogue Four (modded with Takman carbon resistors, Miflex and Mundorf capacitors) and custom built 300b monoblocks. 845 tube way more power than you need for klipsch, still great immediacy, performers in room feeling. PrimaLuna use EL34 tube, lush, beautiful, my favorite push pull tube. 300B tube, maybe the most romantic tube. Can't go wrong with 845 or 300B SET amp or EL34 push pull, especially if you can run in triode mode.
Stock Klipschs will work best with the more romantic tubes IMO.
@bilyeauxbrew
...Added a Bluesound node 2i as well only listening to Pandora though. I have no reference to options as I’ve only owned Hereseys and never heard a tube amp in a home and am very curious if a tube pre-amp would be a big plus? ...

Many pair up low-watt romantic sounding tube amps/tubes with Klipsch Heresy speakers and enjoy it. A nice tube integrated is a good start.  

Kinda depends on what you want to change about the sound and presentation?


I believe the first choice is are you one who prefers new gear or carefully selecting used gear with solid resale value?  The idea of new gear sounds lovely but I get fueled by getting a deal along with amazing sound so I choose used.  This has lead me to Audio Research.  I started with tube amps(Classic 120s)and a SS preamp LS3B.  This kept me happy for a couple years and then went to the LS26 preamp which is a hybrid tube preamp.  It was a significant upgrade.  A couple months later I had an opportunity on a nice deal for a REF 3 preamp and that made me a believer in the preamp is more important.  That was an even more impressive leap in SQ.  Around this same time another opportunity came along for a REF 150 2-channel amp.  I went back and forth with my Classic 120s.  At first I wasn't sure but after a couple weeks the REF 150 continued to shine and the aesthetics are much better, so it stays.  ARC also has integrated pieces which I haven't ever heard.  I like their gear, their sound and the resale value.  If you buy smart you can pretty much get your money back if you want to try something else.  I have been tempted to try something like the Raven as Chuck recommended or the Primaluna that Uncle Kev at Upscale Audio is always ranting about, but haven't yet.  Bottom line I think you will love tubes, just be patient and enjoy the ride.
I suggest used VAC amps, either old triode or recently deleted 200 phi.  The latter was replaced at $14k with auto biasing circuitry, like Prima Luna uses but the used unit I've seen in the $4k range for similar sound and uses fewer, easy to replace tubes for 100 w./side https://www.hifishark.com/search?q=vac+phi+200 . 

Favorites of mine for older tube amps include McIntosh MC 225 and 240 but they keep rising in price.  I haven't heard a 275 (all six versions of them) that I've liked.  The modded MC30 monos have superb mids and can work well with your speakers (they put out 60 watts at 1% distortion, drove Martin Logan Monolith IIIs even).  They use more tubes though.