Your tube amp related Harbeth experience.

It’s looking as if tubes are ok, with two important caveats in mind. 1) have 60 + watts on tap, such as a stereo ARC amp with a quad of KT 88 (Kt 150) tubes. 2) Perhaps I’m reading in to this too much, but I see a pattern of liking a more linear tube sound. I was thinking about one of the Cayin amps, which lean to the classic tube side. I heard they try to emulate the McIntosh sound in their designs, and I assume that would be the old McIntosh sound. The newer Mac has gone in the same direction as many of the big tube names that come to mind. I’m not knocking this, as much as simply making the point. Should also ad that I've heard LM and owned the 211 IA. I really enjoy their sound, but this being a second system, I want keep it simpler. Maybe I'm getting old, but I want an amp I can move myself. The Wonderfull sounding 805 and whatever model replaced the 518 IA are just not what I'm looking for right now. I want to have a system I can turn on, listen for short periods, and turn off. With my main system, I tend to pass on listening unless I have a fair amount of time to listen. So this system won't quite be on the LM SET level, which to my ears, is certainly reference level. 

I could definitely see old CJ Premier being too soft. This would likely hold true with other classic sounding tube gear...It’s been decades since I have owned CJ. I’m trying to reassemble a second system, from which the C’7’s and budget pair of Mogami speaker cables are the only thing I held on to. My budget is $2500-$5000, but I will be trying to do this in the $2500 range.. BEK Hi-fi has some interesting choices, and they are drivable from my home. Those of interest would be Audio Hungary, and perhaps Sugden. I will say I’m concerned that tubes and C7’s may not be happening synergy wise. If I do venture out to hear (and enjoy) a low-mid budget system with another speaker,  I will simply move on from Harbeth. I’m speaking of something like a Vandersteen 1 or 2, where 60-100 tube WPC is plenty. I’m simply using Vandersteen as an example. Thank you for the zotl 40 ref, Mac 275, and the other suggestions. I should ad I have Ton Trager stands, and even though I have an open mind, I would like to see the C7's work. 

Appreciate that jjss. I've been doing some You Tube homework on Dac's. I'm sure you are aware of the ladder (R2R) type Dac's and how they generally differ sonically versus standard chip DAC'S. I'm extremely out of touch with Dac's, so I won't push my luck and try to comment here. Hegel...? Guess I should be open minded...they are certainly easy to find used. No offense to anyone that has offered their generous thoughts so far, but I just have to ask....Is there anyone who feels I am setting myself up for a merry-go-round ride with tubes and the C'7's. Sorry to be repetitive, but please don't forget, $5K Max retail.