30 Watts of class A power: What Speakers are you using and suggesting?

@ostrey

I recently discovered my pass labs xa30.8 sounds amazing with 4 ohm or difficult loads. That is what I tend to stick to now.

That's because Pass (as stated by Desmond Harrington) indicates the XA30.8 will output 90 watts @ 1% into 8Ω and almost 150 watts @ 1% into 4Ω.  This is a significantly underrated amp in terms of output and can drive the heck out of a 4 ohm load.

Daedalus Argos V2s with either a Line Magnetic 518IA  integrated 845 tube based 22wpc; or Finale Audio 7189 MK2 integrated EL84M or7189a tube based 20 wpc

@three_easy_payments: That makes sense! It is easily the best amp I have ever owned. 

I am using some GPA 604 to a Luxman 590 II. It’s a good combo within the speaker limitations.

Strengths of the speakers are dynamics, efficiency and tonality. Weakness are large box size, the need for subs and not the greatest high frequency extension. I have had other speakers in the system and to this point the Altecs are still here. Mostly I love the teakwood vintage cabinets they are housed in. 

I have used tubes in the past and someday may return. But for now the Lux integrated is a good combo of sound, power and versatility. 

My second system is comprised of KEF R500 speakers, a Decware ZenTorii II, and a DeHavilland UltraVerve III preamp. I was surprised at how well the Decware's 25 watts of class A power drove the KEF's, quite exceeded my expectations. Prior to hooking up the Decware amp, I'd been using a 620 watt per channel @ 8 ohm IcePower amp and the Decware does not sound dynamically compromised in comparison, at least at the volumes I listen to.