I know this is an age old debate, but I need a technical explanation why one would choose tubes over solid state

Yes, YG speakers are difficult to drive, according to reports. The Stereophile measurements of a few YG speakers also suggest demanding, difficult loads. Nothing that I would use a tube amp on.
The harder the speaker is to drive the more distortion the amp (regardless of its technology) will make and be quite a lot more than the measured specs due to odd phase angles and the like. Even if you have a brute force solid state powerhouse its still important on this account to make sure the speaker is easier to drive if you want the most out of your amplifier dollar investment.
Can a SET power a Wilson?
Yes, you'll hear something but it would not show off either in their best light on account of some basic design goal differences. Wilsons are designed to be driven by an amplifier that is capable of behaving as a Voltage source (IOW the amp can make constant Voltage WRT load impedance). SETs OTOH are more likely to try to make constant power WRT load impedance. Combining the two will thus result in a tonal inaccuracy. If the SET were to have enough feedback this problem could be overcome, but once you've linearized the amp in that fashion, the main reason for using one (its distortion signature) is gone.

The other thing about SETs is if they are not running feedback, they only have about 20-25% usable power before distortion starts causing them to sound 'dynamic' (this is due to the fact that higher ordered harmonics, used by the ear to sense sound pressure, start to show up on the leading edges of transients). Wilsons need a bit of power although their power needs are not extreme. You are thus far better off using a push-pull tube amp of good quality or a good solid state amp on them. The improvement in sound quality doing this over SETs on that speaker line will be instantly obvious to the most casual of observers.
 
Not sure your count is so accurate in 2025, micro. There are a lot of SET mfg. in east Europe and Asia.

I was addressing tube amplifiers from manufacturers with a noticeable market share and distribution. I could risk that just Primaluna sells more pushpul amplifiers than all these anonymous east Europe and Asia SET amplifiers.

Although I appreciate and recognize the recent efforts of tube amplifiers in East Europe, they are not relevant when addressing just numbers. Getting market share needs time and marketing expertise.
 
I didn't say the speakers were YG Sonja XVi, my current setup. Tried tube amps with Wilson Alexandria X2S2 and XLF, too. I have been to many shows and audio stores, heard pretty much every tube amp sold driving all kinds of speakers. I know the tube sound. The YGs played great with the tube amps, the amps had no trouble driving them. The YG Sonja XVi was the best tube system I have ever heard.

Ok, thanks, it would be great to know which tube amplifiers you are addressing.

Although my VTL Siegfried II can drive most existing speakers, I do not feel they are the typical tube amplifier ...
 
I was addressing tube amplifiers from manufacturers with a noticeable market share and distribution. I could risk that just Primaluna sells more pushpul amplifiers than all these anonymous east Europe and Asia SET amplifiers.

Although I appreciate and recognize the recent efforts of tube amplifiers in East Europe, they are not relevant when addressing just numbers. Getting market share needs time and marketing expertise.
I was referring to number of companies
 
You don't choose the tubes, the tubes choose you.
 
You don't choose the tubes, the tubes choose you.
Perfect answer to the koan.

I went from 2A3 to SITs. But I think there are 45s or 50s at some point in my future.
 
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