Consider just tube front end...
While I'd love an ARC VT-100 or greater -- my dealer GNP in Pasadena pairs ML's with these and they sound phenomenal -- it ain't in the cards right now. However, I'm buying a heavily modded Antique Sound Labs phono pre and a Cal Audio Labs Alpha tube DAC. Great tube sound with (hopefully) very little tube hassle.
Good luck!
While I'd love an ARC VT-100 or greater -- my dealer GNP in Pasadena pairs ML's with these and they sound phenomenal -- it ain't in the cards right now. However, I'm buying a heavily modded Antique Sound Labs phono pre and a Cal Audio Labs Alpha tube DAC. Great tube sound with (hopefully) very little tube hassle.
Good luck!