The kind of cash you're getting to ready to spend takes you way out of the entry level.

I suggest you make the necessary effort and actually audition some speakers first. The ones you have mentioned are so different in character that they might as well have come from different worlds. For instance, Bose 901s sound so different from other speakers that if you like them nothing else will do.

You won't need a phono preamp unless you plan on getting a TT. All integrated amplifiers have a built in preamp.

There are other (IMO better) sub woofers than the NHT you've listed. However, a sub woofer is a speaker and should be auditioned.

Buying speakers without auditioning them first is like letting someone else choose a mail order bride for you. The chances of you getting what you will be satisfied with are slim to none.

All the Stereophile class A or B rated DACs cost more than $1000.

Choosing speaker cables and ICs can get quite complicated and be a PITA. I've used Kimber 8TC in the past and was relatively happy with it. I suggest that you get speaker cables and ICs from the same manufacturer. FWIW: I use DH Labs cables and ICs.

BTW: The word vinyl is singular and plural

The sound of Bose 901's is not pleasing to my ears. I realize that there are many who like them. If you do, you should pursue them and their particular sound. I however, have never liked them. I've been a panel speaker lover and owner since 1976. Nothing else that I can afford "floats my boat".

I've heard the Prima Luna and was favorably impressed. The Pathos I've not heard. I would expect it to sound quite good, the Prima Luna did. IME tube gear produces a midrange bloom and a very subtle warmth. It may not be as "accurate" as some SS gear but it's certainly more pleasing to my ears.

I put my money where my mouth is. My main ESLs are driven by tube power amps through a hybrid preamp.

I'd assemble a working system before I concerned myself with power conditioners etc.

I'd go GoldenEar Triton Two ($1499/ea) for speakers. They sound amazing and have a built-in 1200W integrated sub. This will save you some money so you can incorporate the rest of you budget into a source and amplifier. I'd recommend a Peachtree Nova 125 ($1499). It has a tubed output buffer, a built-in DAC with three S/PDIF inputs and Asynchronous USB, and can output 125W at 8Ω per channel and 200W at 4Ω per channel. It's a real great package for it's price and even Sandy Gross from GoldenEar (the leading designer) has been seen using it as a source and amp for the Triton speakers. I loved it's sound and would recommend it. I've heard this setup myself and it is a setup worth considering, especially for it's price.

Cheers,

Destroysall

I built my first system about 2 years ago with a pair of PSB T6s and a Peachtree Inova (discontinued, but comparable models are available w/o the iPod/Phone dock, which I very rarely use but comes in handy when you can't find your charge cable). Total for those two components was about $3000. I play mostly CDs through an NAD545BEE, but also occasionally stream via Apple TV connected via optical cable, and occasionally vynil depending on how motivated I'm feeling.

I auditioned the PSBs after reading rave reviews by KL (http://www.stereophile.com/content/music-round-41-page-3) and JA (http://www.stereophile.com/content/psb-image-t6-loudspeaker-measurements). I first auditioned the Image B1s (with sub), which I have subsequently read SM speaking very highly of, as well as the T5s. Those both sounded a bit thin in the audition room so I asked to audition and ultimately bought the T6s--much to my wife's dismay (these are bookshelf speakers?)!

It's my first system so I have no base of comparison, but I've been very happy with it. The T6s sound incredibly clean. Crisp highs that aren't too bright or fatiguing. Great, well-balanced mids, and clean bass. I occasionally feel like I'm missing the tiniest bit of low-end snap when listening to rock or metal, but more and more I'm thinking that's been conditioned from years of listening to over EQ-d systems.

I don't know enough about amps to say too much, but I love the subtle warmth the tube pre on the Peachtree adds when needed.

Good luck with your search.

Dynaudio are very nice speakers. PSB are very good, but not quite the equal of Dynaudio...in general. They do share a similar tonal character that suggests similar prioritites in voicing. Both will work well with the tube amps you are considering and I would add the Rogue Cronus integrated to my short list. The Rogue has a larger than average footprint for an integrated, but if that doesn't present a problem, it's a very nice sounding tube amp. You'll want to use the 4 ohm taps on any of the amps you are considering for you speaker outputs.

Don't let the 4 ohm rating on the Dynaudio speakers scare you. It's a very linear curve that is quite appealing with tube gear.