Give the Aural Thrills Audio Serenade a good look, uses 4 12AX7 tubes, three for MM & adding the fourth for MC and is hand built. The builder advertises here on Audigon and the price new is in your budget. I have had mine for 7 months in a headphone setup and really like it, ran it in my main system replacing my Allnic HE1500SE II for a while and it really sounded good in comparison. It’s one of those purchases I never second quess, just enjoy. Enjoy the music
