Amp Upgrade Path?


Or maybe the question should be: What am I missing? I'm relatively new to the tube world. About a year and a half ago I bought a used Rogue CM1 (KT120 power tubes) and have steadily upgraded sources and cables....and enjoying it very much.
I'm at what I guess I would call full circle again...meaning my sources are here to stay for the immediate near future and I'm back to thinking speakers and amps.
As I gather, different power tubes have different sonic signatures and I just don't have a reference to what that means.
Is a Prima Luna better then a CM1?
maybe an Air Tight?
And then there is configuration: Power amp with a preamp? Mono Blocks and a preamp?....or stay with an integrated.....
The major short fall of the CM1 (imho) was the phono stage. This was corrected by a EAR 834P mm/mc phono stage. Analog source is a Nottingham 294 Space deck w/ a Lyra cart....w/ Acoustic Zen Matrix interconnects - thank you Audiogon  for getting me there.
Thanks for all recommendations
Budget: let's say 5K new or used
 

smaarch1

Think Audio Research, Conrad Johnson, VAC, and Cary. These are in the order I would consider them.

 

There are layers of what constitutes great sound (balance, details, bass, micro-details, noice floor, rhythm and pace, etc.). Companies like those above have been at the forefront of understanding sound and building equipment to capture it for a very long time. It takes a long time to move from what you think of as great sound as a novice audiophile to really knowing… these companies have worked at achieving this for many decades.

 

For the last couple years I have owned top of the line reference components from Audio Research (see my system under user ID) although I have pursued the high end for 50 years, I continually discover how these components capture the essence of music naturally, proportionately at all levels, in ways that I did not understand before. I was too easily lured by details and slam… which actually lured me away from really musical enjoyment. Don’t get me wrong, my system reveals all the details of any system I have owned or heard, but it shows them off in a truly natural way… just like live acoustical music, not bringing the details out in front and artificially sticking them in your face.

 

There are many companies that give people what they think they want… up front details and slam… slap you in the fact. But the companies I listen above work at a higher level. Creating real musical experiences. I get it now. I saw well healed old guys buying ARC stuff when I was young an poor. They were wise. This stuff is amazing.

 

Truly great audiophile gear goes beyond just “wow, that sounds great”. They are like refined instruments allowing to learn and evolve and explore deeper meaning in the music you are listening to.

@russ69 thanks for your response and I completely agree
A friend has offered a sub and I think I need to hear the effects of this first as well as acoustically cleaning up this space. Thank you

and thanks @ghdprentice . I need to re-read your response and understand it better at a technical level before replying, none the less - thank you very much

@smaarch1 about two months ago there were similar conversations about your Rogue, your Totem Hawk's, and what you were looking for. Several members replied with good ideas, including our own.  I'd try this first.  What say you?

smaarch1 OP

 

So it appears I'm looking at subwoofers. A friend has a REL to loan me and I'll give it a try.

 

 

 

 

 

Even thought they're currently delayed a few weeks, I'd give serious consideration to the VTA M125 Monoblocks from Tubes4Hifi.com.  

http://www.tubes4hifi.com/M125.htm