Re; Dynamics, Class D vs tubes…

OP's question ... 

Class D amplification vs tube amplification, which is likely to be more dynamic at lower volume playback? 

And here I am thinking that enjoyment relative to lower volume playback is speaker dependent.  What do I know? 

I don't have any experience with the KEFs Reference 1 Meta.  Do they sound to your liking when played low?  The one review I read (What HiFi) was addressing their sound when played loud(er).

Even so, none of that prepares us for the scale and authority of the KEFs’ presentation. On the end of our reference system, they sound much larger than they are, delivering the kind of chunky bass more often heard from floorstanding alternatives. Certainly, rivals such as the Bowers & Wilkins 805 D4sound nowhere near as large-scale, muscular or punchy.

I have had tube amps (Prima Luna), Class D (Class D Audio), Class D hybrid (Rogue, Heaven 11) and Class A/B SS (Rega, Adcom) amps in my systems for the last 20 plus years.  My systems are not in the same league as your equipment is,  that's for the certain.  While the Class D amps have performed well, I have been the most engaged by the tube amps.  I love my Prima Luna/ Musical Fidelity/ Zu Audio set-up and would be reluctant to replace it.  Dynamics are not an issue with tubes.  I find I have to up the volume to get the Class D hybrid set-up to sing (Heaven 11, Golden Ear BRX).

Be well, 

Rich 

I have the KEF Reference 1’s, non-meta, and my gut tells me that a solid state power amp is a better choice. Do they seem lacking with your current tube mono’s? Also, any reason you are not considering A, A/B amps? FWIW, I have had good low volume results with Coda and Audionet so far.

4 ohms, 85db speakers are probably not the best match for tubes.  With that said I hear little difference in low level listening dynamics using either my Atma-Sphere 30w tube amp or 100w Class D amps with my QLN 8 ohm, 87.5db easy to drive speakers. 

@zlone

I drive my KEF Reference 1 speakers with an old Krell KSA-80 class A amp, rated at 80-Watts into 8-Ohms, 160 into 4 and 320 into 2.  The results are stunning, but I have not really compared amplifiers.  The speakers were demonstrated with McIntosh but unfortunately I took little notice of the power source - the speakers were the best I have heard at any price.  The KEF specs say 50 to 200 Watts.  I would err on the high side!

I really don't understand why the amplifier should affect low level dynamics, unless the amplifier compresses the output which surely would be at high volume?  A "straight wire with gain" would leave dynamics unchanged?

To answer some of the questions above.  The speaker choice was of one of consideration of space as we moved into a new home and I lost my audio room.  I’ve had these V4s for a long time and the Shindo pre combo was a match made in heaven running my Eminent Technology LFT8b panel speakers.  God I miss those!  But moving I had to make do with a great room and a BDI TV audio console that housed all my gear but hides the beauty of the gear, all with speakers that as she put it were not an “eye sore”. LOL. So looking into monitors and coming off satisfaction from a secondary system, Peachtree Nova300 into KEF LS50s, I went for the Reference 1 Meta.  The only thing lacking is a tight base impact and maybe some high extension.  The speakers are capable but my tube gear is midrange magic focused with my KT-88s.  Lows and highs are good but not as good as can be had from the KEFs.  So, just thought if I could have my cake and eat it too?  Thanks everyone for the suggestions.  I know the answer is try out on loan new amplification but it needs to be at least 100k input impedance to have a chance.