I know more than a few folks here dig the tuneage... I'm cleaning house, and one of the items I'm unloading is a Yaoin tube buffer (goes between your DVD player and your preamp or receiver). It's got the original Chinese tubes and a set of "vintage" RCAs with it...
This is a good way to "try out" tubes... If you don't like it, sell it to someone else, maybe lose/make a few bucks. If you do like it, either keep it, or upgrade.
These tend to run about $150 or so shipped from China... I _really_ liked the "tube sound," so much in fact that I'm going to go to a "real" tube preamp. But to do that, I've gotta (a) make space, and (b) not spend a bunch more money... So... Just put the thing on the 'bay...
Now to start going through Jen's old jeans that she decided to yard sale...
http://stores.ebay.com/Bogies-Bizarre