Power amps are all amps directly connected to the speakers regardless of their gain devices.
Tubes are often the choice of those who don't require gobs of power because they're generally more expensive to buy, maintain, and power than all other amps. But if tube sounds are what do it for ya, you buy tubes.
A good compromise is a very transparent solid state amp with a tube pre-amp.
Solid state amps are those that use transistors as gain devices instead of tubes. Generally they'll go 20 years without anything more than dusting the thing off. They're also a lot cheaper for the amount of power per dollar, but not always. Class A solid state amps are pretty much never cheap.
I'd recommend solid state unless you want amps that are a hobby unto themselves.
Tubes are often the choice of those who don't require gobs of power because they're generally more expensive to buy, maintain, and power than all other amps. But if tube sounds are what do it for ya, you buy tubes.
A good compromise is a very transparent solid state amp with a tube pre-amp.
Solid state amps are those that use transistors as gain devices instead of tubes. Generally they'll go 20 years without anything more than dusting the thing off. They're also a lot cheaper for the amount of power per dollar, but not always. Class A solid state amps are pretty much never cheap.
I'd recommend solid state unless you want amps that are a hobby unto themselves.