from a Krell SS- FPB 600 to What Tube Amp ?

I think you wanted a response to your question, and here it is.

The most potent tube amp I am aware of is the CAT JL-1 monoblocks. They are only rated at 100 watts per channel, but the figure is meaningless, as they have outrageous power supplies and output transformers (that convert voltage to current in a way that make the amp competitive, power-wise, with large SS amps).

Ken Stevens, CAT's principal, used to A/B these amps at shows against a 600 watt/channel Krell -- the Krell allegedly sound neutered by comparison.

The amps weigh 194 lbs. each unboxed, much of which is the beastly transformers. There is a "Limited Edition" version of the amps that retailed for $50,000, which has outrageous parts quality and sound purity. The regular version listed for $20,000.

I have VAC 140 monoblocks, and because of the same design approach of beefy power supplies and high-quality output transformers, they too, on a reduced scale compared to the CAT monos, can drive current-hungry speakers. They weigh 115 lbs. each unboxed. A good salesman I know at Singer said that the VAC 140's do a much better job of driving the Pipedreams than the VTL 750's.

With tube amps, the ability to deliver current, which they do not do well because tube amps produce voltage, not current, comes down to the quality of the transformers and power supplies. Another high-current tube amp is the Audio Valve Challenger 400, a German-made amp. There is also an Air Tight limited edition monoblock design that is very high current (it also costs $60K).

Good luck.

Dear Allan: I think that you loose more than the bass slam on your Krell amplifier. Your tube amp is an equalizer because its frecuency response changes according with your speakers impedance changes and this is not the only problem: the signal has to pass through the transformers and this signal it was a heavy degraded one because the many wire metres where the signal has to pass in the transformers and not only these: when the signal goes through a tube this tube function like a " signal generator " ( by itself ): produce audible harmonics that does not exist in the recording.
I understand that the tubes are right for you ( great for you, no problem ) and I only want to share with you and other people what is really happen on your tube electronics during the sound reproduction, at the end this is what you and other people are hearing ( it does not matter if the tube elctronics are from: Tenor, Lamm, VAC, VTL, CAT, or whatever ).
Regards and always try to enjoy the real music.
Raul.

Macallan25 & Rcupka- I'm trying to choose between Kubala Emotion speaker cables and Transparent Reference XL SS cables. The same dealer in Philadelphia has them both. I've been a Transparent fan for a while but am seriously torn as to what to do. The dealer says go with Kubala but since it's an expensive decision and I really don't want to spend a bunch of money on another "tweek". I figure go with the known quantity. Can the both of you really say the Kubala is better? It might be worth the drive to A/B them for myself.

I will second the recommendation on the Kubala Emotion ICs. After Cardas, Jena, Valhallas, these are the "it" cable for me, no forseeable upgrading after this. I could not believe the harmonious, gorgeous bass on my Kharma 3.2s, or the sweet, unabrasive highs (both were issues with other cables). They had the same magic affect on my Grado RS1 headphones and my Stax Omegas. (The source for all was my Accuphase DP75V cdp.) Please excuse me if I repeat this in a short review later.

One more point, before you give up on solid-state, try an Edge NL-12. Smooth & relaxed as all heck, but still detailed without being "ruthlessly revealing" as the overused phrase goes.