Recommendation Request for Tube Power Amplifier

@kevemaher -

 Sound is smoother, flows easier it seems. 

     Ain't it just great: the electromagnetic musical signal, freely flowing across a vacuum, rather than through semiconductors?

But not the big, enveloping warmth that people glow about. 

     Refer back to my recommendations, as regards the mentioned Brit tubes.   

     Also: my foremost motive, in citing Jessee's site, is that you read his descriptions, observations and opinions, when it comes to the various nations/continents of origin, time frames, OEMs and specific  iteration of a 12AX7 type valve's manufacture.

     One of my prime reasons for trusting him: our hearing must be quite alike.

     You'll still find that information/education invaluable; should you persist in the quest for a tubed amp.

                                              WHY?

                                     Glad you asked!

                      New production tubes just ain't got it!

  Maybe I'll find it with the power amp.

     As mentioned: you've two excellent/transparent/uncolored amps, in the Levinson and Bryston.    Either would convey whatever your particular taste desires.    Even: from session 2 session via a simple tube swap, should your heart be piqued, in that nice tubed preamp.

     Of course: the lid would have to be left off, to facilitate such a practice.

     But: It's been my experience the more air movement the typical component gets around it's innards, the happier it seems, overall.

     My own main amps are Carys, taking four 6550/KT88s per and since NOS Sylvanias, Tung-Sols and GEs supplies have either vanished or become unaffordable, to moi and the Svetlana St Petersburg plant burned down, with all it's equipment: my octet is now Russian Gold Lions.     They were found quite similar in every regard, to my GEs, but for a taste less Bass factor.   

      Quite listenable and why I didn't crack on the brand, in your preamp.

      They shouldn't get in the way, wherever you chose to try rolling better/NOS valves, anywhere in your pre, should you.

                           You didn't skimp on the analog setup.

       Don't lose the fidelity/quality of that source, through your preamp.

                                   DITTO: interconnects/cables!

     If frugal: your budget can easily cover all of the above, sate your taste for a warm/enveloping sound AND (if not already in your lexicon) provide or improve sound staging.

                                        Sorry for the verbosity!

                                             Happy listening!

 

    Forgot to mention: whatever diodes/rectifier your power supply uses; they can undoubtedly be improved upon.

    Given you're able/equipped to test for distortion, etc; I infer- you can solder.

                                                    Have fun! 

A nicely restored pair of Dynaco MkIII's (60wpc) will work well with those Revel's. Plus the Dyna output trannies are better quality than most of today's iron. I have the Paoli-modded pair. That Paragon E is a keeper! 

At your budget, looking for a classic tube sound, and needing at least midrange power -- I think restored vintage or vintage inspired amps are the way to go. 

I started out in tube amps with restored Heathkit and Eico amps. They sound wonderful. If you love that wonderful Koetsu sound (especially paired with 12AX7 phono and CineMag 1254 as you've done), this is your kind of sound. 

From there I moved on to Rogue Audio because I wanted more power. This is a common recommendation in your price point (Cronus, Atlas, Stereo 100). They're excellent but will NOT give a classic tube sound, particular in the midband. They excel in bass and dynamics, and respond well to tube rolling -- so you can dial up the sweetness, to a point. It still won't sound like classic tubes. 

And from there now I have modern VAC amps. Very expensive. Amazing blend of classic tube sound and modern high performance hifi. But very expensive. You might find some of their much older models for $3K used, and they can be very good. VAC still services everything they've ever made.

I think the Dynaco recommendation by @jasonbourne52  is a very good one. Someone was making modernized amps / kits from these designs (Bob Latino?), but I'm not sure if they're still around.