Amplifier recommendations for 86 dB Sensitivity Speakers

Hey OP

as others have suggested, try to go to SS based amps, specifically GAN based amplifiers. they sound very analog, similar to tubes. also suggest you use a tube-based preamp to power up the Gan based power amps

my recommendations that you look into are

1) AGD

2) Laiv mono

3) Orchard Audio

4) ClassD Audio amp

the last one is the name of the company

this link:  2 Channel Stereo GaN Amps Archives - Class D Audio 

they seem to have good reviews for a more inexpensive Price

see if they have a 1-month trial

i suggest you put your gear together using your existing amp and see if there is something missing or will you have a "wow" moment. then decide from there

Thank you all for the information, it's very helpful.

Indeed, these Technicns speakers seemed promising, but they might be too demanding for a 75 Watt per channel tube amplifier. Down the road, I will get a solid state or one of those nice Technics integrated (which are not class D, they have their own thing -pretty neat). But for now, I'll look into 89-90 dB efficiency range.

My current speakers are 4 ohm, 90 dB efficient and this Cayin Tube amplifier drives them pretty well, however, I can notice how the sound profile changes when connected to the 4 or 8 ohm tabs, one is a little softer, detailed and linear, while the other tab gives you more dynamics and a V curve sound.

@mamifero, Heat Dissipation and Power Compression in Loudspeakers see here. Sensitivity vs. Efficiency: See here page one section C. For in the what it's worth category, power compression in tweeters can start with as little as 10 watts of input. 

Mike

Just because a loudspeaker will work better with a big solid state amplifier doesn't mean it won't work very well with your moderate power tube amp.  I am not familiar with either the loudspeaker you are considering or your current amplifier.  The Technics isn't an easy load, but it's also not difficult load.  It's honestly rated at 4 ohms.  With 4 KT88s per channel your amp should have enough to drive them.  Depending on how loud you listen, your room and your musical taste you could find the Technics/Cayin combo absolutely fabulous.

BTW, your conclusion to look at loudspeakers in the 89-90 dB efficiency range hints that you haven't grasped what people are telling you about matching loudspeakers to amplifiers.

Just because a loudspeaker will work better with a big solid state amplifier doesn't mean it won't work very well with your moderate power tube amp.  I am not familiar with either the loudspeaker you are considering or your current amplifier.  The Technics isn't an easy load, but it's also not difficult load.  It's honestly rated at 4 ohms.  With 4 KT88s per channel your amp should have enough to drive them.  Depending on how loud you listen, your room and your musical taste you could find the Technics/Cayin combo absolutely fabulous.

@onhwy61 The speakers in question are only 83dB 1 Watt/1 meter. Sensitivity-wise this works out to 86dB, but we're talking about a tube amp here and they don't double power as impedance is halved. Instead they cut power in half as impedance is doubled if they are acting as a Voltage source. 

So this is simply impractical and won't work out as you forecast above. 

@mamifero If you like your amp, I'd look for a speaker that is 8 Ohms or more. Your current speakers are 4 Ohms so their actual efficiency is 87dB. Your amp is working hard all the time with that speaker- they are not showing it in its best light. By simply moving to an 8 Ohm speaker that is 90dB your amp will need only make half the power it does now for a given sound pressure level. That will reduce its distortion and it will run cooler as the output section will be more efficient.