PP amp + High sensivity speakers dilemma

I would just use the amp as is, and just operate the volume control over  the lower end of its range; the only possible problem is poor left-right channel balance tracking over the lower range of the attenuator.  Otherwise, the idea given above, for using an in-line attenuator is also a simple fix (downside is adding another thing in the signal path).  

As to using lower output or lower gain tubes, I would only do this if I also liked the particular sound of the alternative tube.  I happen to prefer the sound of some lower output tubes than the KT88, but, that is a personal preference.  If your amp can accept alternative tubes, or your tech can modify the amp to accept such tubes, you could try the EL34's you mentioned or my preferred tubes which are KT66's or 6L6's.  

In my own system, I run a pushpull amp that has Western Electric 349 output tubes.  My amp runs four 349's and outputs 5.5 watts.  It is an amp that I actually prefer over my parallel SET amp (Audio Note Kageki) which outputs a little more power.  Both are excellent amps for high efficiency speakers and I do not necessarily think one type is better than another.  You might also consider output transformerless tube amps that can also deliver fantastic sound.

particular sound of the alternative tube. I happen to prefer the sound of some lower output tubes than the KT88, but, that is a personal preference. If your amp can accept alternative tubes, or your tech can modify the amp to accept such tubes, you could try the EL34's you mentioned or my preferred tubes which are KT66's or 6L6's.

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I'll run these possibilities over with Richard when he opens his shop up either sunday or monday.
I'm thinking the EL34 or your suggestion KT88/6L6 might also be  a  better choice

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Look larryi, now i know you've been with me  these past few days, on the low ssns vs high sens, debate.
I have to be honest here and now....
I just got ina pair of 8 94db FR.
And....
Dang it, I might just go back to,,,the Thors,,,ahhh yeah I know i iknow, look how many insults i've been throwing at  xover old traditional designs.

And now after 4 days of mud slinging at xovers,, its possible I might go back to ,,,Thors MTM. 
While listening to the FR ~~SINGLE~~~ driver,, seems, man I  know others here are going to chime in  ~~I TOLD YOU Single was not be all end all speaker~~~~, Yeah I can hear now what they were getting at. Seems the Thors id have a  superior = wider = deeper soundstage. 
Oh man, how did I go from one exteme to the other,.,,,look, this 8 FR and the 6.5 Diatone, although super more sensitive, perahps,,lacks the wider/deeper soundstage, live feeling. 
...
man I can't go back and edit all my slamings on the xover Thors thing. 

I have to take back all my insults  and humbly admit,, I might have been wrong.

I'm thinking we might have possibilites here, as Richard has been on me to get rid of Jadis' cheap vol control and get the AD 41 step attenuator for afr superior sonics. 
Plus adding EL34's may bring in a  braeth of fresh air to the  Defy;'s voicing.

I may hold off on the Vox FR 8's. For right now, while i reassess all my tweaks  like  the attenuator. 
You know I might add a  compression horn tweet for the high fq's as the Millenium lacks that sparkles in the upper registers. 
The DUAL 6.5's Excel just allow a  superior , wider,deeper soundstage vs a  SINGLE driver.

I realize now this is what the xover gang has been attempting to get me to understand, That each design has its drawbacks/weaknesses. 

With a  superior high tech attenuator the DPL  will gain in fidelity performance thus allowing the Defy to benifit and now the Thors can get the power they need to to respond properly, 
Apologies to Seas and all xover designs, Scanspeak, and Troel's Gravensen for my  churlish  comments. 
Back to the Thors. But with a  added compression tweeter. 

Stop overthinking things. This is about simplicity.  Buy a small el84 based amp and sit back for a couple of months.

mozartfan OP

Great amp, this is what Stereophile said about the DF7, you don’t need any preamp that has even more gain with it.

The high input sensitivity is ideal for passive preamp control, while the input impedance is >100k ohms. Input sensitivity: only 950mV in for maximum output.

Was thinking just now,
what if we swap out the 12 KT88’s for a dozen EL34’s,
The 34’s come in at a much lower watt output 25, vs the 88’s 40 watts.

And no gain will remain the same


Cheers George

davidLouis 4 incher just arrived. 
Screwed it into my 12x12x12 DIY cabinet and  the verdict is in, running it no cap, open to the massive 100 watt Defy
Verdict is
~~WINNER~~
Dos thumbs up.
Bass check
mids check
highs, not bad, some roll off.

But for under $200, its a  winner.
FOUR inches.
Tempting to go with the DL 8 FR, but alas, I have my wife financing the Voxativ AC1A's. \
all I got to do is a bunch of house chors  rest of the year, clean toliets and such. 
The things we will do  for  a  stereo system 
;--))