Spendor S8e Amp Suggestions.

That's interesting.

I called VTL (spoke with Bee) when I was asking about the ST-85 (60 Watts) to use with my S6e = 87db, 6.5 ohms. She told me that the ST-85 would not be enough to drive my Spendors very well. That she would recommend the ST-150.

I told her I do not listen at head banging levels - though I do listen to Incubus, KOL, Radiohead, as well as Jazz - Di meola, Stanley jordan, Krall, some Flamenco....

She said she still would not recommend ST-85 or the Integrated IT-85 either. Now your SP 2/3 may be an easier load to drive then the S series. I am not sure the 30 Watt tiny Triode would be a good match for the OP's S8e.
I can say when I put the Cayin A88T in Triode mode (22 Watts) it was noticeably not enough to drive mine. The Cary I believe was 40 Watts and though it did not seem underpowered had no bass punch or dynamics at all.

Please understand - I am not critisizing your statements or what you are hearing in any way at all.
I can only speak for the S series and my experience.

Lougiants: No criticism at all seen in your comments. There are many reports of Spendor Classic series working well with moderate to low powered VTLs. An audio engineer over in Audio Asylum reports good results with Spendor SP1/2, a larger speaker. So perhaps it is a matter of the Classic Series presenting a more benign load than the S series. I thought any somewhat related info might help the OP.

I have paired the spendors s8e with an LFD integrated amp and am in heaven. I have the lfd ncse but from what i hear the delight is similar with the lfd III or IV. lfd is a British design that seems to be optimized for british speakers like Spendor and Harbeth. Since i use the lfd, my spendors seem to completely disappear when I play music. amazing sound with great yet tight bass (important to spendor who may be a little loose on the bass side)

Another good choice would be the plinius or exposure 2010s.

The LFD will probably sound the most tube-like, despite being a SS amp.

FYI, my dac is the w4s dac

And the answer is, these speakers are fine with tubes. Better than fine, actually - really, really good. I just hooked up a Cary V12R in 50W triode and they sound terrific. Lots of detail, nice air around the instruments. An all around good combination.