I've never had a tube based amp in my system before, only experienced them at hifi shows which is usually entirely unsuitable. I did hear some rather nice MBL ones on the end of their top of the range omni directional loudspeakers at the Northern hifi Show this year in January.

I also heard an unknown model - very highly polished gold body with piano finished chunky realwood side cheeks, a real work of art it was. Where was I? Oh yes, I heard this unknown model with some JBL K2's. Again another head turner with a natural and 'live' sound that drew you in from the corridor outside, I half expected a small jazz ensemble to playing in the room before I actually walked in - that's when you know something is right.

I should also add that I've heard many more that sounded pretty aweful. The same goes for sand amps too but there seems to be less at the poor end but just as few at the really good end. Much was very debatable because hifi shows aren't representative of system performance, a few rooms are obviously the exception though but these are rare.