Now that you've had the Stereo 20 for a while, do you think its low power output is a problem with your Tannoys?
When I was looking for a suitable valve amp for my GRFs you steered me away from lower-powered amps like the Leben CS-300 as you thought its 12 watts (or 15 watts in the fancy version) would be inadequate.
I'm not noticing any issue at all with power. I can't explain this, as previously when I've tried low power into my Tannoys, e.g. a very nice pair of Coincident 300B SET monoblocks, I've felt they were gutless and couldn't hold the bass together compared to the PL2 (though they sang beautifully into the Heresys, I really liked them). The Leak has no such issues. As ever I don't really have enough information from which to form an opinion - the problem with threads like this is people often read them under the assumption the writer is some kind of expert on the subject, though much of the time they are just someone documenting their own explorations and personal discovery - all my threads should certainly be viewed in such a light, the more I learn about audio the less I realise I know.
What was in the little Anthem tube amp you had for a while? IIRC that was EL84s wasn't it? I suspect there are other factors too, e.e. quality of output transformers etc, which are allegedly very good in the Leaks.
I did a few readings using Faber Acoustical's
Soundmeter on my iPhone just top make sure I was listening around the same level I did with the PL2, and I was getting an average level of around 75db with the occasional peak at 93db measured at the listening seat. i.e. I'm barely using a watt here. Ash is right as to how high peaks are at a quietish listening level, though with the type of speakers we both use a watt or two obviously goes a very long way.
I can't explain why some similarly powered amps sound so different though, perhaps someone else can? I've flung some serious bass abuse at the Leak, e.g. Trentemøller, Massive Attack, We Want Miles etc and it seems nicely grippy and punchy to me. It gives nothing up to the PL2, though I've not tried cranking it up louder than I'd ever want to listen. Never did that with the PL2 either.
PS Si, very kind offer, thank you very much, though I'd hate to risk frying someone else's tubes - I'll wait until some come up with my name on.