Jolida JD102CRC

Yep, your NAD amp is superb. I actually preferred my little NAD 25 watter to the 102B that I had for a short while. I'd pick up a used Quicksilver line stage for anywhere from $600-750 (depending on age and remote) to feed your NAD. They come in either 12AX7 or 6922 versions and sound great with your NAD…I had that set up for quite a while with great sound and still use the 6922 version with my First Watt.

"That may be a good option for you. The only thing I would add is to be sure you demo the unit first to make sure you like it better than what you have."

I've listened to a Decco65 and I liked it. I will say this was on some Dynaudio speakers that were several times the cost of my Vandys. I wish I could pick one up and audition it in my home, but I'm looking at buying used or refurb to keep costs down... so that's out.

I've never heard the Jolida, and I must admit, I'm STILL tempted to try it. I feel like I want to make that jump into the tube world. I suppose if I didn't like it could just sell it. I would save up for a Rogue or a PrimaLuna, but both of those are over double what I'm looking at spending, though the rogue does include a phono stage and I will need to buy one of those.

"Yep, your NAD amp is superb. I actually preferred my little NAD 25 watter to the 102B that I had for a short while."

This boggles my mind in a way. I purchased this 3140 out of a basement moving sale for... I can't remember, like $50 or thereabouts. Is it really possible I have what I'm looking for already and I just really want some pretty glowing tubes because I think they look cool (yes, that's totally possible).

I know this is throwing even more into the mix, but what about a modded and restored ST-70?

Oh, and one more question:

Can I use the NAD Phono stage through the pre out into the aux in as a temporary phono stage until I purchase something else like a Pro-Ject Phono Box?

If your hell bent on getting a tube amp I would suggest looking for a tad 60. It can accommodate many types of tubes which will offer you lots of flexibility. I have owned it and it sounded as powerful as a 200 watt solid state amp and drove my proac response 2.5 to very loud levels and sounded spectacular. Otherwise used amps from quicksilver, rogue, primaluna, cayin and line magnetic could fall very close to your budget if you can stretch it and would better the Jolida. Best of luck.

In fact there is pair of tad hibachi Mono's on here right now that are essentially integateted amps with single inputs that I have read are very tube like and better the tad 60. But again I think the suggestion of a preamp probably makes the most sense.