tube amps and electrostatics

Wouldnt two ohm or less impedance at high frequency be much easier for a ss amp in particular to deal with than if it were low? Way less power needed for high frequencybthan low. Or is it more complicated than that?

^^ yes. But then you are dealing with 20 ohms or more in the bass. A 600-watt transistor amp just became a 250-watt amp.

This is why tubes work so well- the higher impedances are not as challenging. In the case of the Sound Labs, this means a 150-watt tube amp can keep up with a 600-watt transistor amp no worries.

"I will say this. Any interest I had in trying ESLs is gone. It seems that amp/ESL compatibility is counter-intuitive. So I'll stick with what I have." Bifwynne

If you have not experienced a well done ESL system, you are missing out on the best! If you are located close enough to be practical (N. California), you are welcome to come hear mine.

Yes Twb2, unless your prepared do your homework to get the right amp with ELS's, they will be a comprimise at the low impedance + difficult phase angles frequencies, as Roger Sanders ( in his White Paper http://sanderssoundsystems.com/technical-white-papers/172-tubes-vs-transistors ) and I have outlined a few times above, that many tend to be blind to.

Here are two more and there are many more on all brands of ESL's

Martin Colloms from HIFI Critic Report on the Quad ELS-2805:
"Amplifiers with more
than 0.6 ohms output impedance (which most tube amps can be) will cause shifts in tonal
balance, namely recessed over-sweet treble, and some
degree of lower midrange boom and bloom."

And also Keith Howard from HIFI News report on the Quad ESL-2912
" Impedance phase angle at low frequencies
is high enough to lower the EPDR (equivalent peak dissipation resistance)to a minimum ohm of 1.4ohm at 69Hz, but as the ESL- 2912's impedance will be level-dependent at LF the dips to 3ohm modulus at 7.5kHz and to 1.6ohm EPDR at 11.lkHz are more relevant and suggest a moderately difficult amplifier load."

Cheers George

Over sweet treble and midrange bloom..... Sounds enticing!