do you really need that much power with 98db speakers. i'd think a quality built 8-25wc tube amp would be fantastic. I think you'd get more bang for your buck as out put transformers make or break a tube amp (unless you go OTL) and good ones are expensive. I recently put in a 8wpc 300b based SET into my system with 94db Living voice speakers and i'm shocked at how great they work compared to the 50wpc class A SST amp it replaced. I think you should try ( borrow if possible) a high quality low powered amp and I think you will be surprised.
I ended up with the Triode Labs / Finale Audio F 3008 with the James transformer upgrade all around.