Tempted to buy a Macintosh

Knowing  Mac and selling them know they are dependable ,and 
nice looking with the meters ,respectable sounding but not in the passlabs class or ,a Krell or a Mark Levenson .
i am into modding ,go to utube many average parts at least a dozen red wima capacitors decent but nothing speacial 
for coupling capacitors there are so many different better choices 
also it is a class AB amplifier a top Amplifier usually will have at least   The first 10 watts in pure class A which is sonicly better
unless running a top digital amplifier like Merrill which has its pros and cons . You didnot mention budget , or integrated only 
or new or used . McIntosh is very respectable and maybe the nicest looking but not near the best sounding if spending over $6000 New for a seperate or integrated. I am just giving my evaluation after selling them for several years . If you have the extra money a Pass labs is clearly a step up , as well as the New Krell line.

I had a complete Mac separates setup in the 80's. Amp, preamp & receiver. For whatever reason, I moved on to a Nakamichi integrated receiver when I went to CD's. I kept the CS's over the years and they went into storage in a closet. Now in retirement I decided to dive back in and plunged in with Mac again. C2600 tube preamp, MC462 amp, MCD600 CD, SACD player. Also have Mac speakers. Could not be happier with the sound. I know there are a lot of Mac haters on the forum but we all have varied taste and ears.

I know this combo is above your desired spend but FWIW, I have a C-2300 tube preamp paired with an MC-275 (gen VI) tube power amp. Paired with efficient speakers would make a great set up but every listener is different.  For me, I love the sound and the look is hard to beat.  

Mac made their rep with their tube gear. The Mac C22 preamp is terrific. The Mac 275 amp was the Gold Standard. *Was* is the operative watch word. It’s still a great amp. There are those who see the VTA ST-120 as a Mac 275 killer.

https://www.audioasylum.com/messages/amp/193985/review-vta-m-125-amp-kit-amplifier-tube

There are two ways to look at Mac tube gear. It’s very good, but overpriced for the sound you get from it. That being said, properly cared for, it will never lose value, but will in fact appreciate over time.

VTA tube gear is MUCH less costly and in the views of many, BETTER sounding. But it very rarely comes up for sale used, so you have to buy it new - either in kit form or preassembled and tested. So anything VTA piece you get will have a lower resale value.

A Mac 275 will run you about $5000 or so. That’s also about the going price for a C22 preamp. But the top-line VTA phono preamp, line stage preamp and 60 wpc ST-120 power amp, preassembled and tested, altogether price out at about $4200. You can save about $1000 off that price if you build the kit versions.

http://tubes4hifi.com

You use SET amps now, with max power of 18wpc.   How much power do you want from an upgrade ?    You have a Triode TRV 2a3 amp.  Have you considered moving up in the Triode line ?   Triode TRV-845SE is an 845 integrated that can deliver about 25wpc.  The offer a new parallel 300b amp that is rated for 22wpc.  The also a few amps using EL34 and KT88 tubes, for more power.

Given your tastes and setup, I would recommend vintage MAC equipment.  With $3000 you should be able to find a pr of Mc30 monoblocks, MC225 or MC240 stereo amps; all having been serviced.

All have level controls so you can connect a source component directly to the amp (or through a passive preamp).

I have experience with many MAC tube amps (currently use restored MC225 and MC240), and SS amps (6100 / 6200 / 2100 / 2105 / 250 / 2505). Many extol the virtues of the MC275.  It is a good amp, but the lower powered Mac amps sound better.   

A sideways recommendation would be a restored Eico HF81.  This is a 6bq5 based integrated amplifier.  It will deliver about 15 wpc.  I have a restored unit (ALL new caps, resistors, wiring etc).  It sounds sublime within its limits.   You may also investigate restored vintage Fisher, Scott, Sherwood integrated amplifiers.  Key is to be sure any unit has been carefully restored by a competent tech with a good reputation.

Vintage MAC holds value, as do the other vintage units I mentioned.   All will probably continue to appreciate in value over time.   Benefit here is if you don't like what you hear, you can resell for what you paid or even a little more.  Your only cost is time !    How rare is that in this hobby ?