Never Owned a Tube Amp and Want Advice

The speakers in question are Tyler Acoustics. Tyler advised me they are 8 ohm 88 dbl and should not dip below 6 ohms.

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In terms of impedance this speaker is an easy load (which is good regardless of what kind of amp you have, but with tubes this is particularly helpful). The only issue is whether 50-60 watts is enough power. What are you playing them with now?

Even if you don't have the opportunity to audition a wide array of amplifiers in your home, you should at least make the effort to hear one or two with your speakers to get some idea of whether tubes are really for you.  I've heard Tylers (don't know the model) with some medium and lower powered tube amps, and I thought they played well together, but, that is by my standards, taste and listening practice (I don't listen at high volume levels). Only you can decide how loud the amps must play, how much bass and bass control you demand, how important is the ability to play softly and still sound reasonably balanced and exciting (tubes are generally good in that regard), and a host of other considerations.

For my particular taste, I am not a big fan of high-powered tube amps; if something requires more than 50 watts, I am inclined to look at solid state even though most solid state amps sound slightly lifeless to me, particularly at lower volume levels.  I generally find higher powered tube amps to sound brittle and a little bit harsh.

If you don't demand ultra deep and punchy bass and rock concert volume levels, I think you could find a tube amp that would make you happy, assuming, that is, that the Tyler speakers are a reasonably easy load to drive.  I've heard many speakers with a lower efficiency rating than 88 db/w that worked well with 50 watts or less.

The only issue is whether 50-60 watts is enough power. What are you playing them with now?

I am currently using my McCormack DNA 500 (which is a necessity with my Thiel CS5's) to power the Tylers.

Have been listening to "The Essential Jaco Pastorius" and then some George Thorogood.

The decibel reading at my chair is averaging 80 dbl with peaks at 92 dbl.

I do not need it any louder than that and generally listen at lower levels. 

Dsper

You should check with Tyler, but a 50-60 wpc push pull amp should be fine with those speakers.

As I recollect prior discussions with Tyler, he indicated that he has customers using 50 watt tube amps but also mentions that he thinks 100 watts solid state is a good number to consider.

FWIW, I have also run a Coda CS (300 WPC) with them, just to see, but went back to the  DNA 500 because I hear more textural detail and pace.

Dsper 

Tube watts are NOT more powerful than SS watts, they simply can present distortion in a more pleasant way. I suggest a Black Ice (formerly Jolida) tube amp as they're well made, sound great, and inexpensive even when new. I owned a 502p amp and it served me well...great stuff.