Seeking advice on tube amps

There are many approaches with merit, and they can all work.

IMO, if you're going to go with Superhonestben's system approach, then it's
going to be a heck of a lot faster and easier to visit a couple dealers (or local
audiophiles) who have assembled systems, and done the matching. Listen
and pick a system you like and buy exactly what comprises the system.

Otherwise, there are too many variables and potential pitfalls. IMO.

My argument in favor of first identifying and buying a tube friendly speaker
you like eliminates the potential pitfall of buying an amplifier that does not
match well. A tube friendly speaker (high sensitivity...90+dB, nominal 8 ohm
impedance with dips no lower than 6 ohms), will successfully be driven by
just about any PP, or OTL tube amp, or SS amp. Then, if you want a certain
coloration, which is always personal preference, it's a matter of identifying an
amp that provides what you want. A tube friendly speaker will allow easier
experimentation with amplification, which is usually what happens with most
folks in this hobby. How many audiophiles do you know who buy a system
and leave it alone? I don't know one.

Perhaps the system approach, considering one that includes a tube friendly
speaker, is a worthwhile endeavor.

Grant,

For the most part I agree with you. I'm just playing devil's advocate here, as I do know folks who have fell in love with the sound of a specific amplifier, and proceed to find speakers that best suit the amp. Granted, most do it the other way around, but as in all things audio, there are always exceptions to every rule......no?

Cheers,
John

Exceptions. Absolutely.

I think the successful exceptions are usually accomplished by people who
have done a good amount experimentation and listening, or by people who
are well educated in component matching.

Having gone about it backasswards myself, next time I'd do it speakers first,
even though it's difficult to listen to many of the speaker brands out there
(actually a real PITA). In the long run I think it may save time and money.

I still want to remind all of you not to lose sight of the fact that the original poster, Mr. Tmesselt, is new to tubes and that your advice about "speakers first" though well intended and basically true, may cause problems for this individual, whose main interest right now is an entry-level TUBE experience. Not a speaker-shopping spree ;-)

What if he were to fall in love with some speakers that had special (not to say fussy) amp requirements, or were poor candidates for tube amplification in the first place? To avoid his selecting speakers that might not even work with a modest, user-friendly tube amp, or winding up with speakers requiring a tube amp that might be expensive, high maintenance, or not practical with a wide variety of speakers (i.e. not easy to resell) I remain convinced his first experience with tubes requires a more conservative approach.

Gaining basic general experience first, with a modest, predictable and trouble-free setup, insures better, more informed choices in the future. Even if the man has unlimited funds, if you want to advise him responsibly, make sure they will be well spent by providing him with a solid experience for making future purchases.

With all due respect to Tvad, I think the reverse approach is best for those people who have already gained some basic understanding about tube audio and have already defined/refined their personal sonic preferences.

Nsgarch, your point is well taken. Let me make my recommendation more
clearly than I have done thus far in this thread.

I suggest finding some tube friendly speakers first (90+ dB sensitivity, 8 ohm
nominal impedance with dips no lower than 6 ohms). Speakers like these are
not fussy and will allow flexibility in amplifier choice, whether tube or
otherwise. They will allow almost any amp to be put in front of them without
penalty. Yes, there are some amps that will be better matches than others,
but this will always be true.

With a speaker such as this, the OP could successfully use just about any tube
amp he wants (other than SET)...entry level or above. In addition, his speakers
could remain in the system while he moved up the tube amp ladder. Frankly, I
consider this the more conservative approach to building a system based on
tube
amplification.

I'm talking about speakers such as those from Audiokinesis, Reference 3A,
Devore, Merlin and Coincident (among others).

Consider the implication of doing the reverse: buying a tube amp first and
speakers second. If the OP buys an entry level tube amp, and his
present speakers can't be driven properly by the amp, and if he then he buys
speakers that still don't match properly because they have low sensitivity or
impedances that vary wildly isn't his experience going to be unfulfilling?
IMO, buying a tube amp that won't drive the OP's present speakers (or some
of the speakers on his wish list) will be a disappointing introduction to tube
amps.

This scenario can be avoided by buying tube friendly speakers before buying
a tube amp.

IMO.