They DO sound fantastic, and they're a ludicrous value for the money. I have two pairs of them, using them fronts + center (one unused) in a second system. I replaced the stock tubes with NOS Sylvanias from '74, and they sound even better. They provide 8w of power per monoblock, and use 6BM8 or ECL82 tubes (same tube, just N. American vs. European designations)
You would have to use speakers with sensitivity of 89db or more at 8ohm, and no nasty dips in their impedance curve. I'm using them with Acoustic Energy Aegis One and Aegis Center speakers which are 90db, I believe. They can go fairly loud with high efficiency speakers. Room-filling volume, but not room-shaking. If you paired them with horns, you could probably play them very, very loud.
As far as preamps go, I have only had them hooked up to HT processors (currently B&K Ref. 30) - and if they sound great through those, then they would sound even better through a nice stereo preamp. A simple, clean SS preamp - there are so many out there to choose from - would probably help give these little amps a little more punch as well.
If $200 is within your fun budget, you've got some efficient speakers to try them with, and you're not expecting Bryston-like power, then these are super fun and great sounding amps. If you were to buy some, there is a slightly more expensive version with the detachable IEC power cord and tube cage, it's only a few bucks more and you'll probaly enjoy the added versatility (and re-sale value.)
I keep reminding myself that this pair of amps costs less than most low to mid-price pairs of interconnects out there.
Still, with low-power tubes, you have to have efficient speakers, and that does really limit your choices.
You would have to use speakers with sensitivity of 89db or more at 8ohm, and no nasty dips in their impedance curve. I'm using them with Acoustic Energy Aegis One and Aegis Center speakers which are 90db, I believe. They can go fairly loud with high efficiency speakers. Room-filling volume, but not room-shaking. If you paired them with horns, you could probably play them very, very loud.
As far as preamps go, I have only had them hooked up to HT processors (currently B&K Ref. 30) - and if they sound great through those, then they would sound even better through a nice stereo preamp. A simple, clean SS preamp - there are so many out there to choose from - would probably help give these little amps a little more punch as well.
If $200 is within your fun budget, you've got some efficient speakers to try them with, and you're not expecting Bryston-like power, then these are super fun and great sounding amps. If you were to buy some, there is a slightly more expensive version with the detachable IEC power cord and tube cage, it's only a few bucks more and you'll probaly enjoy the added versatility (and re-sale value.)
I keep reminding myself that this pair of amps costs less than most low to mid-price pairs of interconnects out there.
Still, with low-power tubes, you have to have efficient speakers, and that does really limit your choices.