Tír Na HiFi

Thats great fran. thanks for that.

let me stir it up a bit more then.

3. speaker sensitivity - do i understand correctly that for lower output amps (in terms "w" output) i would need speakers with hgher sensitivity (=greater db value) to drive them better ?
so really when adding an amp to the system and existing speakers, is this most important spec ? is i have my apeakers at (say) Sensitivity (1W, 1m): 89 dB i should really opt mor for more powerful amps to drive them better rather than ignoring that and choosing (say) 5W per channel amp ? as in this quote:

A speaker's sensitivity rating (sometimes called efficiency) tells how effectively the speaker converts power into sound. The higher the number, the more efficient the speaker, and the louder the sound it creates with a given input signal. An efficient speaker helps maximize available wattage.

4. considering this, theres no difference between PP and SE other than power efficiency + tonal difference ?

5. im sure there no golden rules here but im also sure theres kind of "rule of thumb" as per specs of amp i should check against specs of speaker ?

6. common myth ive heardwhich, as i believe, derived from heavy amp chassis being better in terms of cooling.

having just tried my first valve amp i could say that the power rating and speaker sensitivity is not the most scary thing about them...id say if amps are over 10w unless the loudspeakers are under 87-86 db you wont have any problems...89 db would be great for valves.
another thing would be the constant worry over valves...and the care...a few weeks ago i got a new valve for my pre (a 12ax7 it uses one of them and 2*12au7)and it was finally sounding good and was very happy,than 2 days ago i managed to turn it on without the power amps connected and after a nice spark from one of the valves i need now to get another valve one of the 2 12au7...(i hope it was just the valve that went)