Tube integrated amps

Thanks again for everyone's input. Heard back from Dynaudio. He suggested Ayre AX7e, Naim NAIT 5i, Simaudio i5.3 (which is what they use in their office).

As for tubes, he says, "As far as tube (or hybrid) integrateds go, I could recommend looking at the VTL I-85, the PrimaLuna, BAT, Conrad-Johnson, Cary and McIntosh integrateds as a start since I have had excellent listening experiences with all of the above (though I forget some of the model names) in various systems with Dynaudio models. As far as power ratings are concerned, don’t be too worried about that. Dynaudio designs are very linear in impedance (meaning they are easy loads for any amplifier) and they have a steep efficiency curve. They really do not need high power, just their high peak input power handling capacity enables them to convert power into sound pressure without distortion, making them excellent mates to such amplifier designs. But they also will mate to more conservatively rated electronics, as current delivery and overall sound quality are the most important factors to be concerned with. I hope this makes sense."

So given what many have said here and the guy at Dynaudio, sounds like solid state is my best route.

Now if anyone has any experience w/ Ayre AX7e, Naim NAIT 5i, Simaudio i5.3, I'm listening.

Many thanks again.

Three excellent choices, good luck.

just a small 2 cents, most of you know much more than I.

I drove an 86db speaker to comfortable levels (in a small room) with a 10 watt Baby Sophia. The sound was wonderful.

I now have a Rogue that would drive the cones right out of the boxes if I'd let it and it's only 55 watts. But......love it as I do, the small room gets hot, hot, hot and it's wintertime now.

FWIW

I'm driving 86 or 87 dB sensitivity ProAc speakers with the CJ CAV50 integrated tube in triode mode (22wpc): no problems at all in a medium sized room. I'm in SF and Nycjdc's welcome to come over and listen. Two integrated tube amps currently in production and available used for under 2K are the Rogue Tempest II and the VTL IT-85; I think they're both 60 wpc rms or more, and well spoken of.

The tube issue I was concerned with was not primarily loudness, but spectral balance. If Dynaudio is right, and they should know, that the impedance curves are benign and linear, than it should be much less of a "problem".