Goldenear Triton One.R - can it be driven with low power tube amp?

Here is what HIFI News reviewed and lab tested about these speakers, maybe now you'll realize that although the "8w SET made some nice sounds, they would have not been taken to perform at their best with an 8w set.

  LAB: KEITH HOWARD
 We measured a minimum modulus of 2.9ohm and a minimum EPDR of 1.3ohm at 92Hz, with further dips to 1.6ohm at 219Hz and 2.0ohm at 584Hz.
So the One.R is a tough loudspeaker to drive, despite its powered bass section.

Cheers George     

George,
To be very clear I am not disputing the very daunting speaker impedance measurements you have cited. Those numbers are factual, no argument. However the person who designed these speakers and is obviously responsible for their subsequent load characteristics nonetheless chooses to listen to them with his 8 watt SET.

He clearly enjoys what he’s hearing (With intimate knowledge of the speaker’s impedance behavior!). He also has a solid state amplifier but for his purposes prefers the SET for listening pleasure. I have to reasonably conclude that it sounds very good to him. However I acknowledge that this  amp/speaker combination may not sound good to you. Just common sense as nothing pleases everyone.

In this circumstance I give more credence to someone who not only has heard this pairing but who created the speakers!!! Compared to some who hasn’t listened to it and is making a case solely on provided measurements. This is my only point.

Real world actual listening versus speculation based on reported measurements. Again George I don’t believe that anyone reading this thread will find it misleading or confusing. People can appreciate real listening encounters versus supposition.
Charles

I’m happy that my initial query on this thread, and the stimulating ensuing discussion has occurred. The experiment with the Stingray driving the Tritons has given me insight into future mods that I may choose for this system.
For now the Stingray is not available, as it is the heart of another system - one that sounds even better, btw.  Were I to replace the ss amps in the Triton system, I would probably opt for SET tube amp(s) of at least 20 watts. Also, the Cary SLP-98P preamp is a temporary installation, and is soon to be replaced with my Cary SLP-05 that is currently being upgraded at the manufacturer. I don’t expect it to change the sound significantly though, as the 98P is excellent.
Life can be good.

"Life can be good" indeed.
I believe that you will experience further improvement with insertion of the Cary SLP-5. 

20 watt SET ?  Are you considering parallel 300b SET  or 845/211 tubes?
Charles 

Both are future possibilities, but I may be perfectly happy with the Upgraded SLP-05 and Pass XA60.5s.
Cary is backlogged. So the upgrade could take a few weeks.