I too have 92 db efficient speakers and have found that $4,000 spent on an integrated amplifier gave me better performance than a $2,000 amp and $2,000 preamp plus the cost of the interconnect. Of course I haven't tried every amp/preamp combination in that price range but I had tried a few. I owned a McIntosh MA2275 tubed integrated with JM Lab Mini Utopias and loved the sound. The only problem was the Mac only had 75 watts and with some of my music I needed more power. The Mac gave a very full, spacious sound. Bass was very solid but not quite up to solid state tightness. All in all the Mac is a fantastic integrated. Looks cool too.
I currently own an Edge G3 solid state integrated and, for my listening preferences, is the best sound I have had in my system. There is a lot to be said for owning efficient speakers and a high quality integrated not the least of which is the cost savings for sound quality obtained. Power will probably be the limiting factor in either a tubed or solid state integrated when compared to separates but within their power band integrateds can sound fantastic.
I currently own an Edge G3 solid state integrated and, for my listening preferences, is the best sound I have had in my system. There is a lot to be said for owning efficient speakers and a high quality integrated not the least of which is the cost savings for sound quality obtained. Power will probably be the limiting factor in either a tubed or solid state integrated when compared to separates but within their power band integrateds can sound fantastic.