Can tube amps play loudly?

Thanks for the help, guys. Slappy, I appreciate your detailed explanation. Those sorts of volume levels would be completely acceptable to me. In fact, I'm surprised I could get that kind of volume with relatively un-sensitive speakers.

-Chris

Swampwalker,

Is that a loss of 6dB per watt, or are you saying that at 4 meters, the TOTAL output would only be 6 dB?

-Chris

Jax2/Marco,

I've heard enough quality SS and tube equipment on good speakers to understand the differences between the two. I've decided on tubes because of their warmth and the "life" they breath into music.

I listen to all sorts of music, including jazz, bluegrass, classic rock, indie rock, and even some techno and metal. For the most part, I listen at relatively modest volumes. However, on occasion, I like to rock the house down.

Maximum volume isn't really a "criteria" for my decision. I've already heard enough equipment to know that the tube sound is what I want for 75% of my listening habits. What I'm after here is whether tubes can play loudly enough to satisfy the other 25% of my listening. I understand that for loud listening SS is better (having always owned SS equipment), but given that it accounts for such a small percentage of my listening habits, I'm willing to sacrifice some quality at high volumes as long as it's loud. For the other 75% of my lower-volume listening, I much prefer tubes over SS. Note that I said SOME loss of quality at high volumes. I don't want it to sound like a giant pile...

More specifically, what I want to know is whether a tube amp in my $1500 price range can accomplish what I want (with proper speaker mating) or whether I need to wait until I can afford something more powerful.

-Chris

Phew, that's a lot of info. I'll start at the top:

First, my budget is about $1500 for an amp. Delsfan, I should've been more clear. Integrateds are what I'm looking at, not stand-alone amps. I'm also looking to spend about $2000 on speakers.

Soliver, thanks for the link. That's exactly the kind of figures I was looking at to answer my intial question.

Dlr/Dan, you touched on something that I was going to ask later, but since you brought it up, I'll ask now. Tube pre-amps with a SS amp seem to offer the best of both worlds. Obviously, there's a compromise by going this route. What is it?

Winegasman, thanks for the direct comments on the Bizzy Bee. What kind of speakers do you have, and what type(s) of music do you listen to the most?

Another question: I've heard people who claim to have had great success pairing Def Techs to tube amps. The theory goes that their self-powered bass section provides all the bottom end you'll ever need, while freeing up your amp to power the bipolar section. Anyone have any direct experience with this?

One more note to help you guys understand what I'm after in terms of sound. I heard a pair of Totem Arros paired to a small SimAudio amp, and I LOVED the sound.

Sorry to be "Johnny 10,000 Questions" guys, but I really do appreciate all the info. See, when you're in my position (relatively young, lacking in personal experience with true high-end, and on a tight budget) your choice of internet forums is limited. I can go to the average-joe sites and listen to them talk about how great their Best Buy Kenwood receivers and Yamaha speakers are, or I can come play with the big boys and actually learn something. Thanks for all the help.

-Chris

Great stuff, guys. I've got plenty of reading and research to do now. I'm surprised no one yelled at me about one of my earlier posts. I mentioned that I heard Totem Arros and a small Simaudio and liked the sound. Whoops. Doesn't make any sense if I want a tubes, does it? I meant to say I heard the Arros with a small Unison integrated. Guess I shouldn't be interneting at 2 a.m.