the 2 watt tube system is more engaging emotionally and again it really fun. Sure i'm using subjective terms but maybe someone understands what i'm trying to say.
I understand this feeling very well. I went through this same thing about ten years ago with my home system and I just went through it again with some musical instrument gear. It's all about identifying your taste and personal preference, and then sorting out what type of system,
and which type of components work best for you.
I don't think I would pursue the tube preamp idea. It would ony be a temporary diversion IMO.
What you have in system1 and system2 are two completely different characters. Two different personalities. The components in system1 are all based on sophisticated and elaborate engineering. They are very complicated and busy compared to the components in system2. And to make matters even more complicated (busy?), you have a reclocker in front of a DAC that reclocks. Don't get me wrong, I'm not making a claim that anything in system1 is inherently bad.
Not at all. It's just that each component in that system is very complicated from the viewpoint of system2, which is quite barebones and minimal by comparison.
This difference in approach is what you need to focus on. It is where your personal preference lies.
In system 2 you have a relatively simple DAC, a basic single ended triode amp, and a uncomplicated speaker. Whatever it is about this primitive approach - what it does and what it does not do - is probably where the fun factor is for you. Again, this isn't about right or wrong, it's about choosing what works best for you.
The best thing to do is to sell all the stuff that doesn't engage you anymore and focus on the kind of stuff that does. You can take the simple DAC, SET, simple speaker idea as far as the sophisticated gear approach. Don't stop having fun though. Keep your expectations real.
IMHO, IME, YMMV and easier said than done.
