Looking for speaker ideas.

Do you want to stay with tubes? Stay in the same budget $2-3K?
It would probably be better to settle on speakers first.
Are you near any large city dealers to get some trialing?
Bob

My 2 cents-
If you want the best for the least green, get Vandersteen. If you go with the 1,2,3 or Treo, your going to need subs. Vandy subs are the best, but you can get by with a pair of HSU for a lot less money.

For more 'Rock' punch, I would consider Zu Audio. They have a trial period if you buy direct..
You have nice equipment, so either would make a good choice.
I demoed Golden Ear, but wasn't 'wowed'. Though it wasn't a very good setup- Which is why I like Vandy's. They sound beautiful even if they aren't perfectly setup. and they sound outstanding when they are. 
Bob

+1 sbank.

+1 hifiman5
Even though Zu gives you a 2 week trial. I noticed that my Omen's needed more than that to open up. Perhaps contacting the company (whoever you are buying from) and see if they have some broken in speakers for trial.

Find a pair of speakers you like first. Your amp should have enough power to drive just about any decent speaker, so no problems there.
You can always find a complimentary preamp afterwards.
Are you near any Vandersteen dealers? 

That isn't too bad. Which one? If it is Audioconnection, then you are in great hands.

Onwatershipdown, I own the Unions and find them quite nice for the price. I pair them with my Vandy 2w subs, so I get the low frequencies to boot. 
Though I would disagree with your assessment of the Vanatoo's. Of course, none of the Vandie's want to be in the corner.
Addyson, it seems there is Audio Advisor and Audio Advisors. I was about to say they don't carry Vandies, but the latter does. Looks like a nice operation.
I would call them and set up a date for a long audition. They open at 9am weekdays, so you could get to them mid morning and be home by dinner.
Bob

I really need to listen to Tekton's. 
Anybody in Long IslandNYC area care to let me audition them?
Bob