The important issue to keep in mind is the relationship between absolute power output and Negative feedback. In my opinion, lower power amps with little global feedback sound best.
More components in the amplification chain add audible noise.
It is *very* difficult to have an amp that is quiet (high signal to noise separation) with low distortion and high power output. I like Direct Heated triodes, best.
These tend to be in low power amps, which limits speaker choice.