Then there are Class D amps, which are solid state, but don't sound like typical Class AB amps, and are very musical to some people's ears.  I'm pretty happy with the sound of my MX-D1s.

 I haven't posted a review yet, butI'm very happy with my virtue audio one tripath amp. I've listened to both solid state and tube, am a fan of single-ended tube, and really like the little virtue. My favorite solid state amp to date, and reasonably priced.

It is exciting to become a La Scala owner as I have also recently. I already had some experience with tube amps (100 wpc monoblocks which could use many types of output tubes including KT-88, EL34, 6CA7, 6L6GC, and KT-66, and I tried them all, and a Scott 299 using EL84 output tubes), but had no experience with high efficiency horns. The La Scalas were priced low enough and were available locally, and I was very curious about these classic speakers. I often read about great synergy between Single Ended Triode (SET) amps and horn speakers so when the opportunity to purchase a SET amp using the 845 tubes, it made sense to try the combo. As advocated by another member, switching out the stock K-77s for Crites CT-125 tweeters peeled away a layer of veil and opened up the sound, bringing forth better detail without etch or grain. At the same time, I swapped the AL crossovers for Crites A/4500. As you might know already, high efficiency horn speakers show off every flaw in your upstream equipment. Putting high quality amplifiers and preamps ahead in the chain will really show what the La Scalas are capable of sounding. As wide as their front baffles are, they can still pull a disappearing act and throw a deep and wide soundstage given you take the time to move the speakers inches at a time until you get the result that satisfies you. I am surprised the La Scalas are as picky about their position as they are; at the same time, amazed at the dynamics and smoothness to vocals they create. Do not forego an active preamp. A preamp is the heart and soul of your system. Preamps are more than just a switch box with a volume knob. It is there to extract the most from your records and CDs. As much as "straight wire with gain" sounds pure and almighty, it often leaves music sounding cold and lifeless. Get it wrong here and one spends a long time swapping amps, CD players, and cartridges in and out trying to get music to sound like music. Ok, so you do not have much money and I do not know what your budget is but let's say it's $500 tops. A quick look at used tube integrated amps on Audiogon showed many at that price range and it would be a good place to start. Feel free to email me if you have additional questions. Have fun!

 Check out this Scott 299C integrated amp on Audiogon, just $300! No relation to seller, just thought it would fit what you're looking for and a start you off into tube amp ville without burning a hole in your wallet or in your ears.

 Bob

 Oops, 222C, but still great!

 If you're looking for a tube sound on a budget I suggest trying out one of the little T amps.  

 Here's a review of a $30 unit. 

 http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/sonicimpact/t.html

And a $100 unit: 

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/trends/ta10.html

And one you can buy new:

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-380

 I have the upgraded (but still cheap as hell) Sonic impact 2.  I think it sounds excellent for the $70 I paid for it.  I prefer it by far with my La Scalas than my Outlaw 7125 or my vintage Yamaha CR2020.  However - in some sense you get what you pair for.  The snap-clips are very cheap and the volume pot has noise in it from 10 to 3.  I use my pre for volume control, so it doesn't concern me much.  

pragmatic001:

And a $100 unit: 

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/trends/ta10.html

OK, now you have my attention! Are you seriously telling me that a 10 watt amp can actually work with my Lascala's? I am used to thinking in terms of hundreds of watts to prevent clipping, etc.. Granted, I don't see how a human could survive the spl, but I am obviously quite ignorant of this genre' of equipment. What type of volume can they produce? Most important. where do I get one? Are they safe to buy used? Anything you can share is most appreciated!

maxsdad:

OK, now you have my attention! Are you seriously telling me that a 10 watt amp can actually work with my Lascala's? I am used to thinking in terms of hundreds of watts to prevent clipping, etc.. Granted, I don't see how a human could survive the spl, but I am obviously quite ignorant of this genre' of equipment. What type of volume can they produce? Most important. where do I get one? Are they safe to buy used? Anything you can share is most appreciated!

1watt=104db. Give it a try. 

I tried to like the Trends but I ultimately tried to magus modify it and killt it.

I do like the reviewers open mind. The line of blue lights cracks me up.

> OK, now you have my attention! Are you seriously telling me that a 10 watt amp can actually work with my Lascala's?

Certainly.  I heard a pair of La Scala IIs at a home theater store on mac amps.   We had them loud enough you could clearly hear them anywhere in the store (think kmart size) and the big blue meter on the 400w monoblocks was just tapping 2w once in awhile.

> Most important. where do I get one?

I found these guys, they sell some of the nicer models new and sport a 30 day return policy - or so their site says.  I'd call them before ordering:

http://www.obadimports.com/index.html

And another: 

http://www.aloaudio.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1_4

Sonic impact, Trends Micro, Kingrex all have T-amp models that have been reviewed well.  

I think the Trends amp is the best bang for the buck.

maxsdad:

OK, now you have my attention! Are you seriously telling me that a 10 watt amp can actually work with my Lascala's?

Congrat's on the La Scalas.

I used to drive my Heresys with a Carver m500t, not bad for a solid state amp, but on my La Scalas I never quite cared for the sound.

I tried the little Trends ta10 with the La Scalas for a while and it was pretty good, but still not quite right in the high end. That Trends amp is floating around this forum right now, being passed around for listening; I think the last one to have it was Lisa "Meagain", and I think Fini was supposed to be next... see more here:

I'm now driving my La Scalas with little tube mono blocks rated at less than 4 watts, never put more than 1 watt through them so far in five years.

 I'm making an assumption here, but driving a LaScala with a headphone amp seem like a bad idea, given the different nature of the loads.

I have both the trends and the virtue amp one, and the virtue out-classes it in every respect. None are as nice as the Wright monoblocks, though.

Virtue audio one review

 It is a bad idea, the amplifier, like the speaker should allow for plenty of dynamic range.  Paul Klipsch used to site amplifier clipping as a source of distortion, so why use an amp small enough to introduce clipping at minimal levels of outpit.  I've heard of people using 10 watt/channel amps, it makes no sense, it's buying a Ferrari and putting regular gas in the tank.

Power is so cheap and good quality today, just do it get some real power.