Amp and speaker matching.

86 db means that you will generate a SPL of 86 db at 1 meter with 1 watt of power.

It is easy to get confused about this! In this case the spec is Sensitivity, not Efficiency. Sensitivity is 2.83 Volts at one meter, meaning that with a 4 ohm load the power is 2 watts. So the *efficiency* of this speaker is more like 83 db (since 2 watts is 3 db more than 1 watt) while the Sensitivity is 86.

There is also the issue of whether tubes will sound OK on the Dynaudios regardless of the power; IMO they will sound OK but the speaker will be the sort of load that has a tube amp at a disadvantage. For more about this see

http://www.atma-sphere.com/Resources/Paradigms_in_Amplifier_Design.php

If you really want to get the most out of your tube investment dollar, I would get a different set of speakers! OTOH if you want to optimize these particular speakers you are probably looking for a transistor amplifier or a very large tube amp (+200 watts).

Well I currently use a McIntosh MC352 and it is a very good match with the Dynaudio Contour 3.0's. So Im going to stay with the Tube Pre and Solid state Combo,I love my speakers and dont want to change them. I listen to stuff pretty loud I like slam! so Ill keep my MAC. Thanks everyone :-)

Note I use a Prima Luna Tube PreAmp...Prologue 3. McIntosh MC352 power amp Dynaudio Contour 3.0's and A Rega P3/24 with groovetracer upgrades and Nagaoka mp200 Cartridge. Cables from: Signal,Morrow Audio,Nordost. Thanks agian for the great INFO.

I have used this mix for many years. So, Thiel CS 3.6 (2.5 to 4ohms, 86db) with CJ Premier 11a and 6550 based Sam's Audio Labs Integrated. So, both 6550 based amps.

The results have been both excellent and problematic. I have had success in a smallish 13.5 X 16' room, but Sam Kim had to employ unique technics to give me the gain I desired, like a 3-ohm tap for the Thiels.

I have recently decided to purchase more sensitive speakers for my amp. This decision became clear when trying hi-rez digital files in my setup. When playing 96/24 files, I could not approach the sound levels of my analog front end without raising the noise floor where the music became harsh sounding. I also got this result when playing Redbook CDs, but level drop became quite apparent when playing Chesky CDs that are lower-level.

I would not recommend the combination for digital playback and it's marginal, at best, with analog.

I wanted to Thank everyone that responded...Most particularly
Atmasphere for the very informative link and Yes I agree it would have to be a 200watt or better tube design.Maybe a Audio Research. It this point i'm really thinking of improving the preamp with something more on the level of the McIntosh Amp. I am liking the tube/solid state combo for these dynaudios.