I want to experience and understand tube audio enough to see if it is for me.

Alas, my budget runs in the mid-consumer range, so I am looking for good books on the subject, and kits. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Wisdom gathered here & elsewhere tells me I should start at the front end of the audio "drive train" - a phono pre-amp - then keep working my way toward the speakers. That way I can stop any time & still gain tube sound.

My level of expertise is intermediate, I'd guess. I have built circuits from schematics using perf-board & dead-bug wiring. I could build a kit with no problem, I think. Or a project from a parts list, a schematic, and wiring diagram, but I think a kit would be safer for a first project.

TIA for any help
Jon