how would an entry-level tube system compare?

Just a guess but I think he wants tubes regardless. Tubes look cool and are a conversation peice (that can sound quite good when done right). With techno all he will need is durrable, efficent speakers that will work well enough with low powered, reasonably priced tube amps.

Jolida also has affordable tube integrated amps. THey also look cool.

Good luck!

Ido agree that the type of super hard driving music he listens to, its BRUTAL on tubes. Tubes are best for easy blues, jazz, folk, classical. Hard Rock, techno, rap go with ss.

Hard Rock, techno, rap go with ss.
Bartokfan (Threads | Answers)

I disagree. It depends on the watts produced by the tube amp, and the design of the amp.

My VAC Phi 110/110 (110 wpc. push/pull) is excellent on rock, and has solid bass. The 140 wpc Wolcott Audio P280-S and the Dodd Audio 120 monoblocks would probably be other good bets. There are others, also.

There are too many variables to allow lumping tube amps into one pile and SS into another pile.

However, Defiantscientist specifically asked about <50 wpc tube amps for bass heavy music, and in this instance, he is going to need high efficiency loudspeakers, or a solid state amp.

I completly agree in your point on lumping ss nad tubes into 2 piles and end of story. Each tube every lab are different, by alittle and also much. Not all tube amps are built the same, sound the same.
Also agree that its OK to listen to Rock on tubes. Johhny Winter Live And cd never sounded better, I heard details never heard before on my little Jadis, bass "rock" solid. But its not the music I prefer to play on tubes, I feel its abuse, and have no plans to buy new tubes, or risk putting pressure on the Jadis. I do not like to send off for repairs.

Thanks for all the feedback everyone.

As Bignerd100 and Tvad correctly guessed, I really do want to experiment with tubes for a variety of reasons. A lot of the music I listen to is very well produced and has many nuances that I'm expecting tubes to accentuate. Plus I'm in the mood to try something new. Plus the concept of tube-rolling appeals to the DIY-er in me. Plus 25% of the other music I listen to is tube-friendly. Plus they look cool.

Bartokfan - I wasn't aware of the wear-and-tear factor on tubes of loud, driving music. It makes sense. But I think it's a reality I'm willing to live with.

So given the <50W factor, based on all your comments it seems that high-sensitivity speakers are key. So my natural follow-up question is: how highly sensitive do I have to go? (I should qualify that my statement of wanting to shake the house was somewhat hyperbolic.) Do I need to be thinking about 100db+ sensitivity, or will 89-91db (which seems to be the sweet spot in terms of offering the largest number of options) suffice?

Thanks all...

PS Barktofan - I'd be curious to know where you see Cayin A88's for $1000 used. I'm seeing more in the $1500 used range on Audiogon. Please let me know...