Member's recommendations for tube amplification


Your thoughts on options to consider:

- I'd prefer SET (open to DHT but not a requirement).

- I'm not looking for overtly warm, romantic or lush options.

- Minimum power in the teens to twenties, 10W being the floor.

- Open to higher power push-pull amps, but let's limit ceiling to around 60W.

- Single ended is fine though having XLR inputs would be nice (doesn't have to be true balanced)

- I'm cool with single chassis or monos.

- I have preferences for tube types, but leaving it open ended to get broad recommendations.

- I'm currently running an all solid state system, though have had tube based systems built around ARC, BAT, Ayon, Melody, Pathos, etc.

- Preamp will be a Pass XP-20 or the Metrum Adagio DAC direct to the amp.

- I'd like to stay around 3K used but can push the budget to 6K new/used.

- Speaker sensitivity is 94dB and higher.

THANKS!
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Dennis Had Inspire Fire Bottle HO (High Output) SEP (single ended pentode)…a bit hard to find (Ebay for new ones) but utterly worth it…bought a lightly used one some months ago and it's sort of astonishingly good, and for a point to point wired little piece of audio artwork they're relatively inexpensive ($1500 or so new). I use it with allegedly 91db speakers and rant often about it. A great amp.
"I should have stayed in hibernation "
Well clio09, as far as I am concerned you made a very good point. You correctly acknowledged the variables involved that will make each situation have possibly different outcomes.

I own speakers that are 94 dB sensitivity and 14 ohm nominal load. I have driven them with 4 different power amplifiers
100 watt PP tube amplifier 6550/KT 88.
40 watt PP tube amplifier el 34.
40 watt class A solid state amplifier (First Watt S,I,T. 2, PP version)
8 watt 300b SET amplifier .

The speakers/system sounds exceptionally well with any of the 4 amplifiers. The best sounding match "overall" of the group is when using the 8 watt SET. So Clio 09 my experiences are similar to yours and yet this won’t be the case for everyone for the various reasons you’ve already covered.

Any of the 4 power amplifiers I used would I’m sure sound very good driving the Double Impacts. Although these 4 amplifiers vary in power quantity all of them are high quality in design and implementation.  
BTW Clio09 I heard the Jack Elliano 300b SET driving the 4 ohm Horning Eufrodite speakers in the High Water Audio room at CES several years ago.  This combination filled a good sized room with beautiful sound. One of the best sounding systems of the entire show. Elliano knows how to build a superb sounding amplifier 😊. 
Charles 
Just asked a question? Really just wanted to hear your response?  Yes I have done the SET amp speaker combo numerous times with and without success. All your points are true @clio09 

Your hibernation comment seems way over the top and you did not answer my other questions? My post is quite benign and I truly wanted your perspective.  What just happened here? 
I owned two of Jacks amps. Loved his 15 watt 34 SET. In the end I needed more power for some 90db, 8 ohm speakers.

I have owned other SET amps that worked well with 92 - 95db speakers. I certainly have posted the exact additional considerations you posted over and over on this site. I simply wanted your deeper thoughts on headroom.

Not sure how you became upset, but I am genuinely sorry for that.
@charles1dad

Why did you repeat the hybernation comment in agreement? You should know better and have read me stating the very same points as @clio09

I just had a sincere question on headroom. It was specific. Not sure why you are pouncing on me in your professional and slightly concealed manner of late. Seems your view and understading of all things Audio is fixed and sensitive to more open minded considerations. I feel this is a fair assessment of late.