Apologies for the title-theft but I would like to know a little about Valve amps.
Many years ago I had a Beard P100/P500 (?) pre/power amp - it was huge, weighed a ton, heated the house and cost a fortune to run in power and replacement valves - I lent it to a friend who still has it, and it seems I may have lost it forever, as he cannot afford to buy anything even half decent if I asked for it back. I used my Magnaplaner MGc1 speakers (think that is the model number 0 they were about 5ft tall and 2ft wide - not the baby ones). They are still in Mums attic, awaiting the day I can get them shipped down to me, as I loved the space and air they gave music, though loud'n'low stuff was not so good.
I then went to Naim and now have Avondaled Naim amps.
Living in a remote area, my chances of getting to listen to other equipment is very slim, which is good, as I have little money to burn, so can any of you tell me what I am missing, what might be good to try, should I ever spot a bargain, and are running costs and reliability a problem -both sides of the pleasures of owning would be good to hear !