At the $3K price point I'm inclined to suggest what I know best: a Cary SLI-80 with a compliment of NOS tubes.
There are a couple of good threads on AgoN on the subject of tube rolling the Cary. Something they don't mention are the new production Genalex Gold Lion KT-88s. They are highly recommend for the Cary.
A used SLI-80, a full set of good NOS tubes and Genalexs will bring you in just under budget.
There are a couple of good threads on AgoN on the subject of tube rolling the Cary. Something they don't mention are the new production Genalex Gold Lion KT-88s. They are highly recommend for the Cary.
A used SLI-80, a full set of good NOS tubes and Genalexs will bring you in just under budget.