Beginner looking for guidance into tube sound.


Hello all, I am looking for some input on the best way to add tubes to my current mess. I currently have what I am sure everyone here would consider barely a step up from my parents zenith HI-FI circa 1977. please keep in mind I am lucky if I can afford to look in the window of an actual audio store. 
I currently have a Peachtree nova 300 and a Marantz CD player and a pair of monitor audio silver 500 speakers. A friend gave me a blue sound node 2i also. I have always wanted a tube powered amp. I see these Chinese amps like the Muzishare X7 and Willsenton R8 that have lots of great reviews. Or maybe a tube DAC. Then I see the Black Ice for ss-x. Each having less tubes respectively. Not sure how much that matters but I would think the more tubes the more tube sound one could expect. I would like to be in the $1000. range but would go to $1500 if I had to. My goal is to find the best most cost effective way to enter the tube world.  
johnfritter
Johnfritter - good luck , it will be really hard to do at the budget.  $2-3k is the hotspot for number of good integrated entry level tube amps.  You might be better served to research various brands and save your money to step up to that price point.  Raven, Prima Luna, Don Sachs etc.  
Tubes amps are more expensive to buy and maintain than solid state amps. If you are on a strict budget tubes are not for you. 
Quicksilver integrated is a good entry point. Fantastic sound for under $2k and made in the USA.

I have one in my office with a Border Patrol DAC and Node 2i for streaming. Sounds great. 
Just my 2 cents worth. 
Good luck.