Wanting to try a tube amp.

@knighttodd 

I thought the same thing. Then I got the PL and started with different tubes. Found out EL-34/KT77 are my favorites and Gold Line 12au7 are great too. Then, after a few years, wondered what else could be out there and went down the tube rabbit hole... still falling. Good luck.

the ref 110 is one hell of a tube amp

but i am in agreement with others who have stated it is overkill for the efficient golden ear speakers with built in self powered subs

i would look in the range of 30-50 wpc tube amps... fewer power tubes, perhaps even more pure sound

I haven't heard one myself but have a good friend that says the REF75 is a very special amp,  Read all the reviews and you will find how amazed people are of the output and sound from that amp.  Now with the REF80 out, maybe prices will fall below $5k.  They seem to go for around $5500.  My friend is driving the Wilson Sophias which are 89db and he says the REF75 is more than they need.  You can't go wrong with more power than you need.  From the reviews it really seems ARC nailed the design so you may want to stretch your budget a bit and check it out.  

Learning how to use the site. Won't bore you. Check out the new post. PL EVO 400, straight out of the box doesn't work. I'm bummed. Loose fitting tubes, red light on the right side. No sound, big pop from my speakers.

That's a bummer. Wonder if damaged in transit somehow. Hope that gets resolved because I think you'd be very happy with the sound. I did just read that Primaluna is planning on some reference line products. Looking forward to hearing more details, but I'm guessing it may be a while because I think the pandemic has created some component supply and assembly issues.