Getting the Upgrade Bug Again

Agree with Brauser. Different manufacturers have different sounding gear. There's Audio Research, Conrad Johnson, VTL, Lamm, VAC, CAT, McIntosh, Rogue, Cary, Rogers-- and those are just some of the more popular American companies I can think of off the top of my head. They are all have differing philosophies of how tubes should sound and none of them are bad, even to the discerning ear.

I too agree with Brauser, however, equipment listened at the show may sound totally different in YOUR room.

Greginnh - What are your stock tubes? El34's - 6550's - KT88's or Kt120's? Is there a brand name? I can really change up the sound of my Octave by putting in different brands and types.

Xti16 - still running stock EL 34's. Not sure who PrimaLuna sources them from but probably Chinese.

The problem I'm having trying to come up with a recommendation in you price range, it that there are so many choices. The only thing I can tell you for sure, is don't skimp on the preamp. Also, don't under power the speakers, even if it means you have to go with a SS amp. I'm not saying that is now an absolute, direct replacement for a tube amp, but current models are good enough where they just shouldn't be dismissed just because they're SS.

The Classic 60 is an excellent piece, but I do hesitate when you say you will be using them with a pair of 803's. I had one, and its a great sounding amp, but I would say that its a must audition in your system first. (You don't say whether you tried the CJ gear in your system, or not.) A few combinations do come to mind that may go well with your speakers. I'll list them for you. You may have to go used for some of these.

Aesthetix Calypso preamp with an Ayre V5 amp.

BAT 300x Integrated

ARC tube amp (something like a VT100 or equivalent and a matching ARC preamp.

BAT separates, tube or SS

Pass amp with a balanced tube preamp like an Aesthetix, BAT or ARC

Quicksilver V4 mono's with a VTL 2.5 preamp or the CJ preamp you just listened to. The V-4's would definately be a better match for your speakers than the CJ 60.