To add to Twl's comments:
Most solid state amplifiers sound better driving lower efficiency speakers since those amplifiers are more linear at higher power, while their distortions (solid state 'nasties') are most easily noticed while working at under 1 watt (or at clipping, many watts later). Basically most solid state designs have no listening advantages at 1-2 watts output, besides possibly more quiet operation.
With the Maggies you'll get impressive sound with a good high power solid state amp, and the ability to listen to symphony orchestras a high levels. But count on at least 250 watts of really good amplification. That can get expensive. For lower listening levels, the Pass Labs amplifiers are good because they have fewer gain stages and actually use a single ended design. Many say the result is tube like sound that is a good compromise between tubes and solid state. Again, expensive.
Some of the best sound I've ever had has been in a small room driving a pair of Magnepan MMGs with a 65 watt Counterpoint (hybrid) design which was modified by the designer. The sound both had body and transparency, and sounded fine at high levels - a great combination!
With speakers at over 95 or so dB sensitivity, the vast majority of the time you'll be listening to the amplifier's first couple of watts. A single ended tube design will do less to the signal, making it go through fewer parts and actually will be more linear than a transistor design under those conditions. On a good recording where all the phase information isn't already destroyed by the recording process and your CD player, you will get more magic and more body to the sound (try analog for this, it's addicting, I notice you do have a turntable) - more realism. And then when the transformer saturates under high power demand, you'll get a kind of compression or lessening of dynamics.
For the 5 watt SET amplifiers, you probably need over 97 dB sensitivity to cover most listening situations, and a higher impedance speakers with few dips in the impedance curve. The Coincident line comes to mind. The Galante line is also very promising, I have heard both sound very good at shows.
--Tom
Most solid state amplifiers sound better driving lower efficiency speakers since those amplifiers are more linear at higher power, while their distortions (solid state 'nasties') are most easily noticed while working at under 1 watt (or at clipping, many watts later). Basically most solid state designs have no listening advantages at 1-2 watts output, besides possibly more quiet operation.
With the Maggies you'll get impressive sound with a good high power solid state amp, and the ability to listen to symphony orchestras a high levels. But count on at least 250 watts of really good amplification. That can get expensive. For lower listening levels, the Pass Labs amplifiers are good because they have fewer gain stages and actually use a single ended design. Many say the result is tube like sound that is a good compromise between tubes and solid state. Again, expensive.
Some of the best sound I've ever had has been in a small room driving a pair of Magnepan MMGs with a 65 watt Counterpoint (hybrid) design which was modified by the designer. The sound both had body and transparency, and sounded fine at high levels - a great combination!
With speakers at over 95 or so dB sensitivity, the vast majority of the time you'll be listening to the amplifier's first couple of watts. A single ended tube design will do less to the signal, making it go through fewer parts and actually will be more linear than a transistor design under those conditions. On a good recording where all the phase information isn't already destroyed by the recording process and your CD player, you will get more magic and more body to the sound (try analog for this, it's addicting, I notice you do have a turntable) - more realism. And then when the transformer saturates under high power demand, you'll get a kind of compression or lessening of dynamics.
For the 5 watt SET amplifiers, you probably need over 97 dB sensitivity to cover most listening situations, and a higher impedance speakers with few dips in the impedance curve. The Coincident line comes to mind. The Galante line is also very promising, I have heard both sound very good at shows.
--Tom