I reentered the tube amp world a few years ago with an Olchen EL 34 for $350, it’s not bad, but not great. Now sits in my office driving Klipsch RPM 160, predecessor to the RPM 600. Sounds good enough for background musicwhile I work.
Next came a Dennis Had KT-88 Firebottle, 6-10 wpc of single ended class A with no negative feedback. I had Dennis build it with a high quality volume pot so I don’t run through a preamp. Sounds absolutely divine, layered soundstage and rich full midrange driving Vienna Acoustics Bachs in my master bedroom. The amp can run 6550, 6L6, EL 34, KT-88 tubes driven by a single 6SN7 or 6SL7, a tube rollers dream amp.
Then I bought a Willsenton R800i 845 single ended class A that puts out 20 wpc but with pretty strong negative feedback. It’s a beast and drives Klipsch Forte IIIs and a pair of Focal Aria 926 for a more intimate, smaller soundstage effect. I never get the volume dial past 11 o’clock. This rig is in a large, wide living room/den with tall ceilings. Playing through the Klipsch is like being at a live performance with the best recordings.
Finally came a Cary Audio 300SEI LX20 running KR Audio 300B XLS tubes that can output 20 wpc in single ended class A with no negative feedback. A Dennis Had design when he ran Cary Audio. This amp drives an older pair of JMLabs 716S. I’ve also run it through the Klipsch Fortes. The epitome of 300b sound signature!
A good sample of ch-fi and US made boutique tube amps. My recommendation would be to find a Dennis Had Inspire to drive your Klipsch Heresy’s. He builds them by hand one at a time in Cary, NC and sells them on ebay under radioman731. They range from $2,500 for a KT-88 to $5,000 for his 300b with Western Electric new production tubes. HiFi Huff reviewed the 300b and called it an amp for life.
Best of luck on your tube journey. Cheers!