Building a synergistic system. What to buy?

@driver @mesch , thanks. Hard for me to blind the Fritz without hearing them, but those seem to be liked by people. Was the Cary amp you were thinking of the CAI solid state , or the SL80? I tube? I'd prefer to stay away from tubes and just get a quality solid state even if it's a 2 black salad state simply because I'd like to. Keep my equipment in a cabinet and tubes throw off a lot of heat. 

Also I'm not completely opposed to just doing an Active set of speakers like the Kef ls50 ii  wireless, But those are about 3 grand and I can probably build a better system for the same price. Don't you think?

*2 black salad state= tube like solid state 

(Talk to text fail)

If you are buying new, a set of Focal Aria 906 speakers paired with a Naim Nait 5si Integrated Amplifier will provide great synergy and sound close to your budget.

Fritz has a home audition program, although I have not used that.  My friend bought a pair years ago and I bought them from him.  Underwood Wally also has a home audition program.  Both of these folks will talk with you on the phone, although you may have to leave a message.

I was thinking about the Cary SLI-80 int actually, as I'm a fan of both 6SN7's & KT88's. For a SS setup, I had a few different integrated's in a 2nd system 25 years ago, but the only one in the main system was an older Primare 30.1 for several years.  Don't know how the newer ones compare sound wise but I still use a Primare DAC in my system.

Also, like mesch mentioned, those 3 companies have really good auditioning programs.  Another friend of mine prob listened to a total of 10 preamps & amps before buying a Rogue preamp from one of those companies and the Schitt mono-blocks.  He bought the Schitt direct from them, so only a 15 day time window but he liked them enough to keep.  Schitt makes preamps (and other components) too and a lot of folks really like them.

I would check all the forums I could about what people say, including the AA site.

Good luck in your search.

Yes, Fritz has a 30 day trial period. I purchased his latest Carbon 7s which I believe to be a top contender in the $2600 range. Also a very easy to drive speaker which allows for a lower wattage amplifier given @labguy 's room.  I am using it with my PassXA25 or Aric Audio tube amplifier. I was thinking that the Quicksilver tube integrated would work great with them. Labguy is interested in a SS  integrated amplifier however.