Can tube amps play loudly?

You only mentioned amps - but the higher end integrateds have become very good and you'll save the cost of one extra set of interconnects too. For beginners that actually have an ear for good music, some of these integrateds are too good to pass up.

Unless I get talked out of it, my next purchase will be the Conrad-Johnson CAV-50 integrated amp ($1500 or less used). With all the good stuff out there (and the quality of care given to 99% of audiophile equipment) I almost will not buy new anymore. I'd rather be a year or two behind the curve and pay half price. But that's just me. I don't think you could go wrong with this integrated amp.

If you are going to run your CD player (with variable outputs) directly into an amp, there are several C-J MV-55's for sale on agon. I believe these have 10 wpc more power than the integrated version.

I'm not up on speakers right now (well, I've been considering Magneplaner and Martin-Logan so that's of no help to you). However, I would pick up this month's issues of Stereophile and The Absolute Sound as they each have their "best equipment" picks for 2004 included. If you know little, you can learn a lot about equipment in your price range in a very short amount of time.

You'll get some good advice here; for a good overview of what's going on in the equipment world, the latest issues of these two mags will quickly further your education.

"I’d like to be able to narrow down my speaker choices before I start shopping seriously, because I don’t want to waste my time or a dealer’s."

If you had to go out tomorrow and purchase a system, you could do worse than the modified Cayin's you mentioned, or either of the C-J integrated or amplifiers I mentioned - coupled with Vandersteen 2Ce Signature speakers. I have always liked these speakers as they have a wonderful ("lifelike) midrange for jazz and vocals, but still do well with rock and roll as they are a box speaker. Stereophile Class "B" for two or three or four years running; for $1675 (new, with stands) they are a real deal.

From their web-site: Vandersteen 2Ce Signature

IMPEDANCE:
7 ohms nominal 4 ohms minimum.
SENSITIVITY:
86dB with 2.83 volts of pink noise input at 1 meter on axis.
RECOMMENDED AMPLIFICATION:
40 to 160 watts per channel into 8 ohms.

Other options: Stereophile mentions the Pathos Acoustics Classic One as a Class "A" integrated amp ($2295 new) - as best I can tell it is a hybrid unit, with 70 wpc @ 8 ohms and 130 wpc at 4 ohms. Any of the Musical Fidelity units seem to be good - they are solid state but more tube sounding than most (I am told). Their X-150 is class "B" rated and would do well with Magnepan MG12's or 1.6's - but I don't think a planar speaker is the way you want to go, based on what you have said.

"The Absolute Solund" lists the Maggies and Vandersteens listed above as "Best Buys" in their price categories; also listed under integrated amplifiers are the Musical Fidelity X-150 and Audio Research VSi55 ($2995 new, less than $2000 used (?)).

I don't ever see Jolida mentioned anywhere;I expect they are just good but not great - as stock units. I talked to the owner of Underwood Hi-Fi in Atlanta briefly and he seems quite competent - he would sell you a new, with full warranty, Jolida 502b with mods for $1600 plus shipping (www.underwoodhifi.com). Or, there are used Jolidas on Agon.

Hope this is helpful; to summarize, an audition of a decent tube integrated amp with Vandersteen 2Ce Signatures would be a great place to start. If you like the speakers, you can then find a tube amp to suit...