The most musical, involving tube gear I have ever heard was made by Audiomat, which is not to say that other recommendations at the same price aren't good, I just haven't heard them all. Other modern makes of interest to me, at lower prices, are Audio Space and Audio Note Kits.
You have a good chance of finding magic with any of the above. I would also like to mention the tweaks that squeeze the last bit of performance out of any piece of gear, the kind of small increment that can make all the difference. I would not give up on any tube amp without trying Herbie's Iso-Cup footers and Herbie's tube dampers. Shoot Steve Herbelin an email and ask him to advise you. He's never steered me wrong.
http://herbiesaudiolab.home.att.net/
Finally, don't overlook the contribution of your AC power to making magic. I think isolation transformers give the best bang for the buck but there are other interesting approaches too. For an amplifier, of course, a big transformer is needed and these are expensive, but a patient search can strike it lucky.
You have a good chance of finding magic with any of the above. I would also like to mention the tweaks that squeeze the last bit of performance out of any piece of gear, the kind of small increment that can make all the difference. I would not give up on any tube amp without trying Herbie's Iso-Cup footers and Herbie's tube dampers. Shoot Steve Herbelin an email and ask him to advise you. He's never steered me wrong.
http://herbiesaudiolab.home.att.net/
Finally, don't overlook the contribution of your AC power to making magic. I think isolation transformers give the best bang for the buck but there are other interesting approaches too. For an amplifier, of course, a big transformer is needed and these are expensive, but a patient search can strike it lucky.