A $1500 System - Based on Reviews and Personal Experience
Terrific flexibility - but easily upgradeable.
$80 WIIM Mini Streamer -Optical SPIDF->DAC. USB Laptop Streaming via USB->DAC is also somewhat being assumed.
$279 SMLS M200 DAC - Balanced, Remote w Volume Control, LDAC Bluetooth
$400 2 units - Sabaj A20a AMPS - Balanced, 2x 350W Monoblock or can Biamp depending on speakers
$320 Elac Debut 5.2 Speakers - flexible, ported
$109 Xduoo MT-602 2 Tube Preamp and Headphone AMP - for DAC->RCA outputs
$170 Drop 6XX Headphones - great on Tube Amps
$40 Blue Ray CD Player with Coax Output - to DAC. For the analog vibe…
$100 for Cables
Total: $1498 for a Streaming Headphone setup and powerful speaker setup w remote volume control
Sabaj RCA inputs and XLR/RCA switch make it possible for a tube preamp connection - for optional flavor.
Or… use one Sabaj A20a unbalanced and substitute other speakers for ~$520. You lose balanced and flexibility, though.
An Xduoo MT-604 could be used for the balanced DAC output to a tube Amp - but is more expensive.
I use an MT-604 as a balanced preamp to a balanced AB power amp - and the sound is great.