Leo,

It may cost more than the amp, but for around £5-600 you can build an amp that really does take on £6-8K units and some of the most hardened Valve boys are now starting to wonder!!!

Last week I heard a 2021 derived amp, take on a Border patrol Bp 20 on some OBX R2s

The amp cost about £300 to make, using the same set up it was a real ear opener.

Especially in the Tonal & bass depts !!!!

Thats all I'm going to say.

Tim is right, they are very different prsentations.

You get the tripath to sound very sweet & more relaxed, however that involves some serious multi psu's & quality regulation. Wm