First Tube amp suggestions

Alot of recommendations for the Black Ice amps and I don't really understand why (perhaps being US designed?).  The only model in your price range is their entry level FX10 which won't have the power to properly drive your speakers.  Stretching the budget and stepping up to the F11 gets you sufficient power but there are much better values at that price point.  You'd also be stuck with el84 tubes. 

The Willsenton R8 on the other hand goes for under 1500 on Amazon, allows you to choose el34 and KT88 power tubes, is switchable between triode and ultra linear (a must for a push pull amp imo), and also weighs 60 lbs thanks to some beefy transformers.  Even if you stepped up to their top integrated, the F35, you still wouldn't get the triode mode and it weights about 10lbs less, while being more then 2x the price.  The R8 is a perfect choice if you are ok with "Chi-Fi".   

The Black Ice amps, heck tube amps in general, may have many of the same issues, several of those you just described are mentioned in Black Ice’s Troubleshooting section of their website. It did look like there were responses from the manufacturer so perhaps the issues in both cases were resolved, albeit with some frustration.

But you bring up a good point and that’s what I meant by being ok with Chi-Fi. You have to be ok with the idea that you are buying direct from China and you may not have a phone number to call for support and will likely end up swapping emails. If an issue does arise you may even have to find an independent repair shop. I think Black Ice does a much better job supporting their products and offer a 1-800 number. It’s up to you to decide if that’s worth the added cost.

The good news is that these are very low tech items, very reliable, and one of the few types of consumer electronics that can be repaired. Youtube channels like Skunkworks are great for DIYers. Check out Danny from GR Research, that guy rips nearly everything lol. I personally would never mod a speaker, but I’m glad there are people out there that still repair, fix and tinker. It’s becoming a lost art. .

The most expensive route will be trial and error, buying, selling returning etc. My advice would be to include the speakers into the decision making process and think of them as a system. Low power tubes will sound best on high efficiency speakers, so money saved with the F10 may end up costing more on the speaker side. I’d recommend something in the high 90’s db efficiency like Zu Dirty Weekend or Klipsch Heresy. Again if you want to use your triangles skip up to the F11 at minimum. Even that will have some issues delivering bass, but it does come with a sub out connection.