SS amp and tube preamp combo for Martin Logan Sl-3

I use a Meridian 557 200 watt amp and a Meridian 502 solid state Pre-amp on my SL3's. Very warm indeed. The power cords of Electraglide have tamed all of the highs with the warmness of the British Meridian components.Steve

When I owned a pair of Acoustat spectra hybrids (similar design to your ML's) I had a 4B-ST and found that the addition of a Rogue 66 was the ticket. Now I'm not saying the Rogue is the end all but its a very nice tube preamp for the money!

I would recommend a Rogue 99 or other tube preamp using 6SN7 tubes rather than 6DJ8/6922s. The 6SN7-based preamps I have tried are generally less "bright" than 6922-based units in my experience (I know it's a blanket statement, but I did say "generally"). Having used both the Rogue 66 and 99 preamps with electrostatic speakers, I would personally lean toward the 99. You may lose a little high frequency detail, but you will make it up in increased dynamics and freedom from harshness. I see this as an acceptable trade-off, though others may disagree.

If detail and lack of harshness is really your goal then you can't do much better than the solid state InnerSound line stage. It is less harsh than many tube preamps, better-balanced, more detailed and quieter too.

I would second Plato on the Innersound preamp, one of the few solid state preamps I could live with. And their amps are terrific for stats, even their competitors'.

I also would have to say the Innersound ESL amp. Best performance-per-dollar. Smooth, musical;, NEVER hard or harsh w/TONS of gain.