What are the best tube amps for Klipschorns?

I'm after the bass punch and extreme detail of the ML, but in a lower powered, lower weight tube amp.

I've owned the La Scala's & now own the Klipschorns. I've heard many tube amps with them, and none would I describe as having the "bass punch and extreme detail" of a Levinson amp. In fact, I've never heard a tube amp that could mimic the bass & hyper detail of a good SS amp. That isn't to dismiss them by any means, because they bring other qualities to the music that SS cannot. But if you are wanting to maintain the bass & detail that your current amps provide, I don't think tube amps are going to deliver, and certainly not a lower powered, low weight amp. Sure, 2.5 watts powering those speakers will make your ears bleed, but not with the weight & detail that you are hearing now...not even close. May I suggest you consider a good tube preamp to go with your Levinsons? Or is it something other than warmth you are wanting to bring into the system?

I've been told that tubes provide smoothness and warmth that can't be found in ss amps.

I would certainly agree with that statement. Yet because it is specifically punch & detail that you don't want to give up, I would advise sticking with SS. Others will tell you "my tube amp drives like mad, has incredible detail, etc.", but they won't equal your Levinson in either department. In fact, as much as I love McIntosh as an ideal match with Klipsch, even their SS amps won't be as detailed--nor are they quite as sculpted in the bottom end--as your Levinson. But they would be smoother & warmer.

I think your idea of using a tube amp for the La Scalas is certainly worth trying. What sort of budget are you thinking? I'm thinking that a push/pull tube amp might be best, only because of the relative 'speeds' of the amps. Others may have a different opinion. Again, the addition of a tube preamp can also help greatly to infuse that smoothness and warmth you are wanting.

At the risk of being accused of picking a fight with God, I respectfully disagree, Atmasphere. :-)

We have paired our Klipschorns with quite a few different amplifiers (Quicksilver, Audion, George Wright, McIntosh, Art Audio, etc.), both tube and SS. We happen to enjoy both. Yet there are distinct differences between them, particularly when it comes to the impact and definition of the bass, where SS has bested tubes every time. In addition, the SS lends a greater sense of speed and separation to the music, whereas tubes excel at humanizing tone. Does SS have the emotional impact that the tube amps do? No, not to my ear. On the other hand, while tubes/Klipschorns are distinctly more engaging during active listening, SS sounds remarkably more even and cohesive from anywhere outside the listening room, save perhaps a solo instrumentalist. When listening to Led Zeppelin, Frank Zappa, U2, or even big band, despite the fact that a 1W amp will drive the speakers to ear-bleeding volume level, the SS amp (we pair ours with a tube preamp) is much better at approaching lifelike dynamic heft than any tube amp I have tried, even 60W or better.

So it's settled...we need two systems!

From what I understand, the horn/tweeter swap also dramatically smooths out the highs. So Marco, that could be the best suggestion yet!

Andre74,
Of the tube preamps we've tried, we like the Lamm LL2 Deluxe most. It is not for the analytical listener, in my opinion, because you distinctly hear the music and not signature of the component. Reviewers describe it as organic sounding, and I would agree. Like great musicians, I tend to lean toward audio components that are so good at playing to the song that they don't stand out in the group.

Hope that helps.

OTOH, I have to admit that I am used to slightly different tube amps than the ones you describe

Are you speaking primarily of your designs, Ralph? I'm really intrigued to hear them, as listener comments have only been favorable.