I drive my Silverline Sonatina II's with a Krell FPB 300cx power amp (300 watts/ch and very musical; much different than earlier Krells). My speakers sing with this amp. Excellent clarity, tight (but not overly deep) bass, an unequalled midrange and a sweet, extended top.
I think you see many references to tube amps with these speakers not because tubes are any better sounding, but because these speakers are so efficient and also mate well with tubes. But I heard these with tubes (Cary Rocket 88) and my Krell stomps the tube amp.
I also think the reason you see some of these on sale is because they are something of a "bridge" speaker in cost: on the high side of mid - priced high end sopeakers, but on the low side of sub - $10K speakers. I have listened to the Merlim Millenium VSM and the Von Schweikert VR5 over the last few days, and while both speakers do certain things better than the Sonatinas, neither of them are as organically rewarding.
neal
I think you see many references to tube amps with these speakers not because tubes are any better sounding, but because these speakers are so efficient and also mate well with tubes. But I heard these with tubes (Cary Rocket 88) and my Krell stomps the tube amp.
I also think the reason you see some of these on sale is because they are something of a "bridge" speaker in cost: on the high side of mid - priced high end sopeakers, but on the low side of sub - $10K speakers. I have listened to the Merlim Millenium VSM and the Von Schweikert VR5 over the last few days, and while both speakers do certain things better than the Sonatinas, neither of them are as organically rewarding.
neal