The Silverline speakers work very well with both tube and SS amps. They have a very open and warm sound, and are highly efficient. The SR-17's are superb monitors. I've heard the Sonata III's, but not the II's. Other than the fact that I'm so partial to the Klipsch's, I have to say that the Silverline's were perfect to my ear (and to my wife's as well). We auditioned them at the Silverline headquarters.
SET stands for Single Ended Triode. SET amps are usually lower wattage, are direct wired, and have a glorious, liquid-sounding mid-range. If you are interested, you can search here for an explanation of SET technology, as I'm definitely not knowledgeable enough to offer one. I can only tell you what I hear. I find the triode sound to be the warmest in the tube realm, and the single-ended triode (SET) to be the most seductive and holographic sound, and particularly well suited for classical/vocals/jazz/instrumental music.
With an efficient speaker like the Silverline (or the Coincident, as mentioned by Lissnr), you can easily fill your room with a small wattage SET amp. I run the George Wright 3.5's in the same size room, and I never turn the preamp (also a George Wright) past the 11 o'clock position. I believe these 3.5's peak at 5 watts.
I have two friends whose years of audio experience was passed along to me, and I just lucked out in that I am overjoyed with their recommendations. I've auditioned a lot of equipment, some costing many multiples the price, and have yet to hear any system that I like more.
Remember, your ears are the only ones that count. This is exciting, no?
SET stands for Single Ended Triode. SET amps are usually lower wattage, are direct wired, and have a glorious, liquid-sounding mid-range. If you are interested, you can search here for an explanation of SET technology, as I'm definitely not knowledgeable enough to offer one. I can only tell you what I hear. I find the triode sound to be the warmest in the tube realm, and the single-ended triode (SET) to be the most seductive and holographic sound, and particularly well suited for classical/vocals/jazz/instrumental music.
With an efficient speaker like the Silverline (or the Coincident, as mentioned by Lissnr), you can easily fill your room with a small wattage SET amp. I run the George Wright 3.5's in the same size room, and I never turn the preamp (also a George Wright) past the 11 o'clock position. I believe these 3.5's peak at 5 watts.
I have two friends whose years of audio experience was passed along to me, and I just lucked out in that I am overjoyed with their recommendations. I've auditioned a lot of equipment, some costing many multiples the price, and have yet to hear any system that I like more.
Remember, your ears are the only ones that count. This is exciting, no?