Ideal speakers for Cary SLI-80?

I intend to run it in triode mode, so only 40 watts per channel. Most speakers I've looked at call for 50+ watts as a minimum in their specs.

Just want to make sure I don't buy something horribly wrong!

That amp has WAY more grunt than you might expect. I owned one for a year or so and loved it. I drove Revel F-30's in triode mode, no problem. Also drove Spendors and Gallo 3.1's with ease.

You'll love that amp.

The Salks need lots of power to perform their best. Having owned the SLI-80, I know it wouldn't be a good match.

I use the Merlin TSM-MMe's with mine and love them. I've also used the Tyler Acoustic Taylo monitors with great success. I actually prefer the amps 80w ultralinear mode. Be sure to experiment with both. Given the specs of the Salks, I would concur with Jburidan that they are not the best match for the Cary, especially if you're committed to running the amp in triode mode.

Look at the AudioKinesis Jazz Module or Dream Maker, or the T5 speakers from Classic Audio Reproductions.

Basically, what you need is a speaker with a sensitivity of 89+dB (or higher depending on your room size and listening volume), and a flat impedance curve that does not dip below 8 ohms. That's the basic formula for a good speaker match with any tube amp, and one with relatively low power.

The speakers from Merlin, Acoustic Zen, Devore Audio, Zu Audio, and Coincident also meet these requirements to a large degree.