Tube Amp settings: Triode vs UL; 8 ohm vs. 4 ohm ?

A lot of people prefer triode operation over ultralinear for sound quality (smoother, less brittle sound), but the cost is lower output.  I have only heard a few amps where such a switch can be made for a direct comparison and I don’t recall liking triode operation that much more than ultralinear.  Again, give both a try.

(On a different amp) I was expecting to like triode better the UL, but that was not the case as the bass was thin. But the vocal were more airy in a nice way using UL.
(the beauty of a switch is it is easy to try it.)

Maybe another amp driving the woofers would be a thing for me to try.

Simply not true. There is no way this is a universal decision. You have to take time and actually listen to all of the various setting options.

Charles

I read it more like start with UL and 8 ohm.

I tried both UL and Triode and 4 and 8 ohm.
That 2x2 matrix ended up at UL and 8 ohm… so the OP might as well start there and deviate off of a known place of success.