I've been where you are .
If you can , copy somebody's rig . It is an easy foolproof way to start , if they value the same things in sound that you do ! A few emails back and forth will tell . This is how I started after making some exspensive mistakes !
If you don't , then listen to as many different things as you can . Don't be afraid to take notes , literally . Ask as many questions as you can and take note of 'all' of the equipment being listened to . There is a certain synergy or compatability between different pieces and manufacterers equipment . In other words , just because something sounds great at the dealers does not mean it will sound the same at your home .
I would consentrate on amplification and source with your 3k . An integrated amp will be cheaper in the beginning .
You will have one less power cord , one less set of interconnects and one less chassis . And you won't have to worry how the preamp will work with your amp , that synergy thing again . If tubes , I would suggest that you find one that is self/auto biasing . This will be easier to use with less maintaince . Be aware that some biasing procedures can be quite involved and somewhat dangerous for a novice .
I would try to spend the majority of your money on the source . Don't try to get fancy here . Look for something that has a good reliability record . CDP's can be finicky and a real PITA !
"Do not" spend a bunch of money on cables now !!!
"Do" buy used , if you can . When you want to sell , you will not loose nearly as much as if you had bought new . If done right , you can move in and out of equipment for no more than the cost of shipping charges .
You say that you want tubes . I would then recommend a Primaluna Prologue2 integrated amp . It is self/auto biasing , can use a bunch of different kinds of tubes to change the sound to different types , has 4 inputs and can be had used for less than 1k . It is a nice piece that will allow you to experiment to find out what you like in the tube world .
For a CDP you may want to look at Cary . They made a piece that had both a tubed output and a SS output . This would allow you to test the waters on tubes in this area as well . I think that you would be able to pick one up used for the remainder of your budget .
Remeber to have fun and enjoy yourself !
Good luck .
If you can , copy somebody's rig . It is an easy foolproof way to start , if they value the same things in sound that you do ! A few emails back and forth will tell . This is how I started after making some exspensive mistakes !
If you don't , then listen to as many different things as you can . Don't be afraid to take notes , literally . Ask as many questions as you can and take note of 'all' of the equipment being listened to . There is a certain synergy or compatability between different pieces and manufacterers equipment . In other words , just because something sounds great at the dealers does not mean it will sound the same at your home .
I would consentrate on amplification and source with your 3k . An integrated amp will be cheaper in the beginning .
You will have one less power cord , one less set of interconnects and one less chassis . And you won't have to worry how the preamp will work with your amp , that synergy thing again . If tubes , I would suggest that you find one that is self/auto biasing . This will be easier to use with less maintaince . Be aware that some biasing procedures can be quite involved and somewhat dangerous for a novice .
I would try to spend the majority of your money on the source . Don't try to get fancy here . Look for something that has a good reliability record . CDP's can be finicky and a real PITA !
"Do not" spend a bunch of money on cables now !!!
"Do" buy used , if you can . When you want to sell , you will not loose nearly as much as if you had bought new . If done right , you can move in and out of equipment for no more than the cost of shipping charges .
You say that you want tubes . I would then recommend a Primaluna Prologue2 integrated amp . It is self/auto biasing , can use a bunch of different kinds of tubes to change the sound to different types , has 4 inputs and can be had used for less than 1k . It is a nice piece that will allow you to experiment to find out what you like in the tube world .
For a CDP you may want to look at Cary . They made a piece that had both a tubed output and a SS output . This would allow you to test the waters on tubes in this area as well . I think that you would be able to pick one up used for the remainder of your budget .
Remeber to have fun and enjoy yourself !
Good luck .