Thoughts on Tube vs SS amplification for Sony SS AR1s

Thanks everyone for the very helpful input - you’ve given me a few things to research, and of course reminded me to trust my ears (always a good reminder). @erik thats an interesting point you made about lower volume listening - I’ll spend some time listening a bit more carefully and see if can hear what you’re describing.

@jond thats exactly what i should be doing, you’re right~ I wish I had an SS amp on hand just to compare (I can’t imagine them sounding much better than they do)

@george accuphase seems to have some good integrated that double through to 2 ohms. Do you have any personal suggestions?

@miller thats exactly what i have been thinking as i listen to the luxman - forget what it says on paper, i cant see it sounding much better - one thing i dont get about the lx 380 is the power output for 4 ohms seems to be weakest? 20W + 20W (6Ω), 18W + 18W (8Ω), 14W + 14W (4Ω)
I’m not sure how to interpret that...

Luxman SS is also a very good candidate. Certainly I think more reasonably priced in the US.

sfmorris OP
@george accuphase seems to have some good integrated that double through to 2 ohms. Do you have any personal suggestions?

Yes, my order would be.  

Gryphon Diablo 120 or 300 if you have the funds
https://gryphon-audio.dk/shop/integrated-amplifiers/diablo-120/
https://gryphon-audio.dk/shop/integrated-amplifiers/gryphon-diablo-300-integrated-amplifier/

Parasound Halo Integrated. Hint-6
https://www.parasound.com/hint6.php

Hegel H190
Hegel integrated amps "maybe" but from tests the 160 couldn’t really do even close to doubling into 2ohms, they only managed a 20w increase from the 4ohm figure.

Same with the Pass Labs Integrated, on test they don’t increase too much both channels driven from 4 to 2 ohms

Cheers George

Almost without fail, tube amps will have greater low level detail, better linearity and a more organic presentation. Almost without fail, tube amps will react much more negatively than S.S. to low impedance speakers or impedance dips. 

One type of power is not better than the other and to say such a thing is foolish. Knowing Sony and also looking at the specs of your speakers, I would say that are grossly underpowering your speakers and would be best served by a more powerful S.S. amp.

This could be a situation in which you wont know what you are missing until you hear it for yourself. I think the speaker determines the amp in most cases.

sfmorris,
In your opening post you wondered if you don’t know what you’re missing regarding the sound quality (SQ) of your Sony speakers. According to George and jsautter the answer is a resounding yes! You don’t know what you’re missing. George provided legitimate technical test measurements to make a very strong case.

Based on the Stereophile Sony  measurements your Luxman tube amplifier is weakest ( decreased power of 14 watts/4  ohms i.e. lower speaker impedances) right in the range where the Sony speaker is most demanding of an amplifier.  . That’s quite the dichotomy it would seem. What’s fascinating is despite clear technical evidence that the Luxman should fail in miserable fashion, it sounds terrific according to you. I don’t doubt what you hear.

How is this apparent contradiction possible? How can what one hears be so contrary to what verified measurements would predict? sfmorris it would be undeniably interesting if you could get an amplifier (or very similar type ) suggested by George and compare directly to the 14 watt Luxman.

Would the technically corrdct/preferred powerful high current transistor amplifier expose shortcomings of the Luxman while effortlessly driving the Sony’s to new heights of sonic capability? Or would those 14 tube watts continue to impressively make beautiful music and possibly outshine the more powerful competitor? This listening comparison would be very insightful and informative.
Charles