Thoughts? - First Watt F8 / Vandersteen Treo's

The difference between 25W and 40 W is roughly 2dB, between 25 W and 100W is 6dB. Unless you're a head banger in a big room, you'll be fine. Just understand the limits, and maybe think of it as 'qui-fi' - as in quiet fidelity. You'll be surprised what a good 25 W amp is capable of.

Vandersteen calls the Treo a 6 ohm load. Unlike most solid state amps which have more wattage into lower impedance loads the F8 reduces power  into lower impedances putting out 1/2 power into 4 ohms so the 6 ohm output is probably midpoint or about 19 watts into 6 ohms. This is way too low power to handle significant peaks. Even assuming the advertised 85 Db for 1 watt the Treo will die above about 98 dB peaks.

That speaker needs some real power. Those first watt amps are designed for baby speakers that are high sensitive.

While the sensitivity of Vandersteen speakers is usually in the 80s, as someone said, their an easy load. Bring your amp to your friend's house. Also, give Vandersteen a call. They'll likely put you on the phone with Richard and he'll tell you what he thinks. For what it's worth, I rad a pair of Model IICe with a 35 wpc harmon Kardon Receiver from the late 70s and it did the job. 

@charles1dad no it was an older model that we repaired it has a 520 tube if I recall correctly.  The amp is not made any longer but on the Vandy Sevens, WOW!  It lit them up.

The Vandy's do not need power and the First Watt will work just fine until you get a better amplifier.  I have a clone of a First Watt but no time to test it out plus the clone is a better amplifier.

Unless people have the speakers, they will never no what amp will really work. I have Sevens, 5As and have used our amps on 2s, 3s and Quattros.  Plus as I already mentioned, zero feedback designed amplifiers are what you need to look for.

Happy Listening.