Barebone 2A3 or SET Amp and speaker

I can chime in here that I really love my Wright WPA 3.5 monoblock amplifiers, which are based on the 2A3 output tube and are frequently found here at the $1000 price point.
That might mean using existing speakers until more money accumulates. Getting one great component today and another great component tomorrow might be more satisfying in the long run than getting two pretty good components today.

I was all ready yesterday to disagree with the post above about the Decware Zen, but now I can't. I own a Zen Select amp, and audio memory was telling me it's nowhere near as detailed as the Wrights. Luckily I realized before posting that I hadn't tried the Zen in my current system, which is completely upgraded from the one I had the Zen in about 2 months ago.

I plugged in the Zen this morning. The detail outstrips the Wrights, which is no slouch detail-wise. However, the Zen's sound is drier, less emotionally involving, not as coherent, tonally correct or just plain beautiful as the Wrights. My opinion is that the Zen preserves detail where the Wrights restore emotion-bearing resonance lost in the recording process. I would place credit (or some might say blame) for this on the 2A3 itself, in this case the Sovtek.

This is a bit off-topic, but in case anyone here is interested, I did try many input tubes for the Zen in the old system, but not in the new system. The Zen might benefit from a lusher input tube now. I'll have to try that eventually before making any conclusions. What sounds best is an individual preference for sure.

I do recall liking the stock JAN Philips 6922 in the Zen better than other types because it was the driest, in a system which needed some dehumidifying. My new speakers are happier with more moisture, and the Wrights provide it, but the Zen might also, with a wetter 6922/6DJ8.

Here's a way to bring this slightly back on the under $1000 topic: Watch out for the tube-rolling obsession, or *any* preconceived budget can be easily broken!