My personal experience with the Magnepan 1.7i speakers. I auditioned the 1.7i's with several high powered SS amps and they all, of course, made the panels jump with all that wattage running through them, and they all sounded great in their own ways, as well. However, once I heard the 1.7i's being powered by a mere 44 watts of very high current, EL34 tube power via a Prima Luna Evo 200 integrated amp, and the absolute magic that that combo produced, it was all over. I've had prior experience with ribbons and tubes and this combo has been my preference for years. I once owned a pair of Analysis Audio Omega ribbon speakers which were powered by tubes. Surprisingly, with this awesome integrated, everything was there, from top to bottom: Bass, highs, mids. The Evo drove the Maggies with authority. I purchased the Maggie 1.7i speakers and bumped up to the Evo 400 integrated to run them. Now, let's be realistic. If I were going with the 3.7i's and above, I would most certainly run them with high powered SS amplification. But, for me, with my moderately sized room, playing at low to moderate, to moderately high volume levels, the 1.7i's and high current tube amplification will produce a very compelling, soul stirring, exciting and utterly magical sound. Unlike the old horribly inefficient Apogee ribbon speakers, we are blessed to have a manufacturer like Magnepan that produces several ribbon speakers in their line that are efficient enough to be powered by tube amplification. "Current" is the key to making the Maggies jump. If you ever have an opportunity to hear a pair of Maggie speaker driven by tube amplification, I'm almost positive that you will come to the same conclusion that I came to years ago......Ribbons and Tubes are a match made in heaven!!!