Go with a DAC, its a far better investment and then try anything from a 99.00 DVD player to a 2000.00 transport and make a decision.. I will say this the Dac-Ah's for little money, which are also an Audiomirror DAC being a 16 bit filterless NON-OS is excellent... The definitions sound good with tubes in line like you have and a smooth front end, but definitions excell near perfect like no other speaker with Vinyl in front of them, they just seem the perfect design match being a full range driver with no crossover being in a completly analog system, so go for a resonably analog sounding player or DAC...
On the lower cost, Quad 99 used is not bad, REGA Planet sounded very good with definitions, fairly cheap as well... WADIA's are very dynamic and huge soundstage, but I agree Do not spend a bundle on todays Digital at lower cost things are somewhat and in some cases already caught up and surpased some of the super digital systems of 5 years ago. Oh and if you absolutley insist on 2500.00 Best player out there for that last word right now would be the Resolution audio Opus 21 coming highly recommended from most, and even Zu uses a Consonance Droplet player, which is the only other equal at the 2500.00 range, might be even a better more analog flavor for a high efficiency tube system. Good luck, audition for sure what you want before commiting.
On the lower cost, Quad 99 used is not bad, REGA Planet sounded very good with definitions, fairly cheap as well... WADIA's are very dynamic and huge soundstage, but I agree Do not spend a bundle on todays Digital at lower cost things are somewhat and in some cases already caught up and surpased some of the super digital systems of 5 years ago. Oh and if you absolutley insist on 2500.00 Best player out there for that last word right now would be the Resolution audio Opus 21 coming highly recommended from most, and even Zu uses a Consonance Droplet player, which is the only other equal at the 2500.00 range, might be even a better more analog flavor for a high efficiency tube system. Good luck, audition for sure what you want before commiting.