Want to start a great looking quality vintage setup

Tubes or SS?

I encourage selecting efficient speakers to keep the power need low, which makes it easier to try/afford tubes, and lower power tubes don’t make too much heat in a small space.

My small office system, I chose AR-2ax Speakers, avg 90 db sensitivity. 3 way, 10" woofers, individual volume controls of mid and tweeter. They sound terrific! Designed to fit ON or IN a bookcase.

https://www.audiogon.com/systems/10092

I am using 10 wpc, in a bit larger space, 25-45 wpc would be plenty, and not too much heat.

If a mid-sized space, they can be stand mounted, or KLH or JBL Compact 3 way stand mounted.

Vintage means different things to different people. As one who entered the hobby in the late 60s, my vintage ideal is my brother’s first system…Dynakit stack of PAS3X, ST70 and FM3, KLH Seventeens, and an AR XA/M91E.  My personal preference would be an H-K 730, a pair of ADS L-730s, and an H-K ST-7 or 8 with a Denon DL103S with an AU320 SUT. Those with bigger budgets might fancy a McIntosh MAC receiver, JBL L100s, Thorens tables. Anglophiles might want a Quad system, or IMF speakers with Radford electronics and an LP12…. 

  Maybe you could add some clarification on specifics please. SS over tubes , separates , bookshelf or floor speakers, and price point ? Since most recommendations are towards larger more expensive stuff, I’ll go small. I gave my son one of my retro rigs for his apartment and now that he’s a homeowner it’s his office rig. The system consists of a Marantz 2226 receiver that had a thorough checkup and cleaning. A pair of Klipsch KG 1.5’s with new caps in the crossovers and a Pioneer PL- 17 TT with AT cart. I made the speaker cables and he uses AQ Interconnects for the Bluesound Node he added. This system is very affordable, compact has decent imaging and bass. It has “ The Look “ with upgraded lights and the TT. It’s easy to spin vinyl as the TT is automatic and he mostly streams with the Bluesound tucked back out of sight. You can always add a small sub and go wireless if it need be. Other retro smaller speakers I’ve owned that would work are Advent, AR , and JBL L-19. On the larger side I had the Sansui 9090 with JBL L-100’s and an MXR EQ. My original stereo consisted of a Dynaco SCA-35 and an FM3 tuner. Later adding a pair of Dynaco MK III’s , but the Dynaco gear lacks the eye appeal compared to Mac or Marantz. Happy Hunting , Mike B. 

Marantz 22* or 1060, Kenwood 600 or 7100 or the big Pioneer SX-750

But the list is really endless

I just committed to a couple of McIntosh components. A MC502 amp and a C504 pre.    These have the slimmer chassis. Solid state. Very exciting to receive. It’s 50 watts so I’ll be looking for some efficient speakers. Maybe a tuner but the Mac tuners aren’t inexpensive and I have to process the idea of spending $$$ on radio.