This topic may well have been canvassed in earlier forum blogs and so this may well be moved by the moderators. The reason for raising it again is because I came across a website (Glow in the Dark Audio) whilst searching for information on Alan Eaton amplifiers, that expresses the affirmative argument extremely well. I will start with the author's opinion on various direct heated valves.

www.glowinthedarkaudio.com/thoughts-opinions.html

His thoughts on single driver speakers is equally interesting.

www.glowinthedarkaudio.com/lii-audio-f18.html

That's a great website that thanks. I will be going back and reading that.

The following one I found useful for what my amp was doing and trying different tubes. (Fwiw)

6moons.com/audioreviews/300Bredux/redux.html

Thank you for posting those links. Very interesting site, and the photography adds to the appeal. Would love to be able to try some of those artisanal amps. Will settle down and read all the reviews and opinions.

My Thoress 300B amps came with Full Music tubes, which I have not changed up until now. I was on the WE 300B waiting list but tired of waiting after 18 months or so and lost interest. Reinhard Thoress has recommended JJ, and that is what I will try next despite the minor negatives expressed in the 6 Moons review, also a very useful link. Speakers are Musical Affairs Grand Crescendo with PHY 30KM full-range drivers, 97db.

Still regret selling my Sun 2A3, which went to Perth.

I've only heard a few single digit tube power amps combined with high efficiency speakers. But my general impression has always been very positive.

I seem to have gone the opposite though on my audio journey!

Heard a few, not a fan in general.

Worse was an Audio Note monster (Ongaku ?) so coloured I wouldn't even call it hi-fi.

Best was the paper mismatch of a little 7.5w Wavelength 300b mono amps with Martin Logan CLS stats - a combo that was magic.

But for every day listening give me double digits, but not too many !

The CLS Stats would trump any amp.

Pure transparency, esp the original CLSI, amp killers.

II, IIa were better behaved but lost the magic,

IIz got most of it back