First foray into tube amps

I've tried quite a few power amps in my system lately, including ones from Cary and CJ.

None of them approach the clarity, slam, and effortless musicality of my ML No. 27 power amp. It matches to my Revel f208 speakers extremely well.

I've decided to stick with SS for the power amp. The hassles associated with tube amps and the lack of any clear advantage made the decision easy.

However, my preamp and phono preamps are fully tubed. They are the ones that determine the quality of the sound in my system. They beat SS phono and line level equipment hands down.

My recommendation is to use tubes in phono and line level but use a beefy (and good sounding, of course) power amp to drive the speakers. Vendors such as Mark Levinson and Bryston come first to mind.

I would wholeheartedly suggest you check out Aric Audio; Aric makes amazing tube gear and he's a great guy who I'm sure would be happy to discuss it all with you, even if you don't end up buying from him.

Galion Audio…..super quality and value off the charts. I don’t know your speaker sensitivity. They also offer a free return window.

@treepmeyer - When an OP states " but I have no experience with tubes ", my post is relevant; it might just keep you with a roof over your head and avoid a fight with an insurance company, where they will win.

When I was first very interested in tube amplification, EAR was the Brand that was most impressive to me out of the common offerings in retailers in the UK during the 90's, I found myself at that time of my Journey in having an audio enthusiasm, to not be able to wed to Single-End design amps. Push-Pull designs had my full attention..

I went my own route and had a Valve Power Amp custom built for me, and not too long after had a custom-produced valve pre-amp.

This evolved into having custom-produced Valve Power monoblocks, which are still in use today.

It is the custom build route that informed me of being vigilant. A Sales Rep is certainly not going to state anything that removes a closed-won from being achieved!!!

Today, as well as over the past few years, I have been listening to EAR Valve Power Amps from the 2010 era and also their most current design.  I am still very contented when sitting in front of EAR amplification.

Also today, I can listen to LDA Valve Power Amplification, which are SE 300b design, and I am familiar with the 211 design. LDA Amplification is very high quality and should be on any shortlist along with EAR.

For a rarity in the UK, I have been able to listen to the VAC (Phi Beta 110i) and the later model that superseded this. In the systems heard with these amps, I remain of the view the EAR and LDA are more to my liking as an off-the-shelf purchase option.  

I am very familiar with a broad range of Vintage Amps produced in different countries, and do very much like the Sansui AU111. The AU 111, when sympathetically tube rolled, is an awesome experience to be sat in front of; it impresses just as the EAR and LDA can.

Disclaimer: None of the amps being referenced by me are ones that are excluded from my content in my first post; being vigilant is always advised and is a 'must' !!!

Id look first at the Conrad Johnson, and then at the Mac. I would audition both. If that are too warm with your already natural sounding speakers then check out the Primaluna. But one of the first two should send you on your way.