As DVV said:
I'm a firm believer in the amp having sufficient muscle to really have a tight grip on the speakers (to provide a very linear response).
On the other hand, I'm also a SET fan. Doesn't leave many options does it?
Well, yes and no.
You can't realistically expect a SET amp to deliver prodigious power levels, especially if you run those tubes in true, pure class A. This forces you into the extra efficient loudspeaker territory for any appreciable dynamics above rather quiet.
On the other hand, you can go for SEPP (single ended push-pull) solid state gear. The idea in brief is to use only one pair of NPN/PNP transistors, however with as tight a match as you can. In general, this does provide for increased clarity and does remind one (more or less depending on the design) of a SET setup. If the output devices chosen were beefy enough, you CAN have reasonable power with reasonable clarity.
For example, my old (1993) Harman/Kardon 6550 is just such an amp, delivering 50W/8 ohms from a pair of Toshiba 2SC3281/2SA1302 devices. Gamut uses 250W MOSFET devices for 150W/8 ohms using a single pair only, albeit on mighty heat sinks.
For a more economy orientated approach, look over Hugh's AKSA amp, the smaller model uses exactly the same approach, or Dan Banquer's RS Designs, with again the same approach, but with the added benefit of full voltage regulation. Or Naim products, they do it the same way.
So, you DO have some choice. I recommend audition before buying, of course, and I note there are quite a few folks here who own AKSA amps in one version or another, so you have experience to fall back on.
Cheers,
DVV
