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compact tube amp and in wall speaker

I need help with matching up a compact tube amp like a jolida 102 crc with a set of in wall speakers like a Martin Logan electromotion iw. Goal is to obtain wife approval factor, cool look of tube amp in a new to be built floor to ceiling bookcase. Room size is 16' x 14' x 9'. Book case is on either side of a 8' opening to an adjacent room. Size and price of new jolida is good. Martin Logan is at high end of what I'd like to spend on speakers. Does tube amp have enough power to drive speakers for all types of music. Sound quality needs to be decent. I like music reality loud, but only when wife not at home. She will play at miderate levels. Other recommendations welcome. Thank you.
audiouny
jrinkerptdnet
430 posts
 
honestly if I did not already have a tube amp/preamp combo I would JUMP on the Swissnor amp on AudiogoN ... $900 for a $6000 retail Swiss made integrated tube amp.

speakers, I would look to wall mount rather than in wall just for the placement flexibility. how do you know the best position of the speaker before cutting a big hole in your wall??

good luck!!
elevick
2,636 posts
 
I agree with Truman. Nothing is going to sound like what you are looking for. ML's are nice but this one isn't designed to get "really loud". Also, your placement sounds messed up? Read ML's manual and see for yourself: https://www.martinlogan.com/pdf/manuals/manual-electromotion-ic-iw-r.pdf

For tubes, you may be able to get into a hybrid but it really depends on your budget. Finally, these things have virtually no bass. You would need a subwoofer.

Find an ML dealer and go listen.
zd542
5,339 posts
 
Buy a really cool looking solid state amp instead. TUBES + BOOKCASE = FIRE.
audiouny OP
10 posts
 
Not many local dealers if any deal with tubed. Was hoping to get some guidance here.

I'll check out the Swissnor. Thanks.

Wall mount not on wife approval list, maybe bookshelf.

Thanks for heads up on placementand link! Very helpful.

Tube look cool. Wife approval factor is high. Hope sound is good too.

The amp wi) have its own shelf away from any books. Fire shouldn't be an issue.

Appreciate the feedback. Is the amperage sufficient for high 80's dB speaker?
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,793 posts
 
I would not go with ESLs if you plan to mount the drivers in the wall!!

Instead I would get my hands on the most efficient and wide range speakers I could. ML ESLs are traditionally not very tube friendly and it sounds like you are on a budget so a high powered tube amp that will do the MLs justice is likely out of the picture.

Lowthers, PHY and other high efficiency drivers is where I would be looking (in my own case I would likely be looking at a 2-way system using 15" woofers of high efficiency so that I had full range; this would allow you to use a 5 or 6" driver for the mids and highs). This would allow you a lower powered (read: affordable) tube amplifier and the results could be really excellent.
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