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
At your budget I was one to recommend the Aric Unlimited. I own his special which I believe now has been upgraded to the Transcend. Both 6SN7 tube types. I know one AGer who posted on the Unlimited which he had Aric design for 6SN7 output tubes. Strongly advise you to talk to Aric regarding and advantages of the different options as applied to your system and budget.  
Atmasphere

I have recordings with bass drums that don’t just shake walls, but knock things off the bookshelves. 

This sadly is not one of them. 

It’s disappointing because I love the composition, I have three recordings of it, and none are really satisfactory.
I would consider a Jolida 1501BRC, it is an integrated and has 12AX7 input stage. They are pretty damn reliable and sound good. You should be able to find one used for around $600ish. Read some reviews but only get the BRC version its the best one. Good luck!
If it is so important to add some "tube sound" then yes a preamp is more in your budget. In the longer run however I would never do it, not on your budget, because separates are so much more costly for what you get. My budget for example is a lot more and even at my level I still do not see the advantage of separates.