beginner seperate system

If I were you, I would either PM or call Johnny Rutan (Audioconnection). He will set you up with the best you can get for the money- with no pressure or sales pitch.
He knows home stereo like the back of his hand.
I only post this because you are going to get lots of recommendations, and Johnny knows just about all the gear out there and can give you some great advice as to how to proceed.
HTH
B

The Freya passive and FET modes sound very similar, the tube mode sounds great with much higher gain and provides tube rolling adventures...I've heard the newer versions have less of a gain jump for the tube setting. If I was putting together a budget tube system that wasn't based on a single ended power amp, I'd consider a new Jolida tube amp with a Freya as Jolidas are pretty cool, relatively inexpensive, and well made (I owned a 502p for years). Tubes provide more detail generally, making music sound more realistic with a harmonic content most SS amps simply can't do.

Jolida and shiit gonna check out.  might go to local brick mortar and check them out.  broke in the new year with too much partying and not so much sleep...and the world is punishing me,,,,lol.

Primaluna. I think Upscale Audio pairs alot of them with Focals.

primaluna always has a lot of buzz around their amps...but always see them for sale on used market...decisions...think Im gonna make a trip to listenup this weekend or next week and listen to their sales force.  bad thing about going to listenup is seeing the new revel be and kanta 2/3 speakers...might put the tubes on back burner and get new speakers lol.  and throw budget out window in process...
maybe just make some phone calls :)