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Using tube amp with electrostatic speakers.

Moons ago I started similar discussions and thought I had been given enough good advice not to approach the subject again. Here goes anyway. I've used Martin Logan electrostats for well over 30 years with quite a few different amps but have recently switched to a tube amp and dynamic speakers with which I am very satisfied.  It consists of the Cary Rocket 88R amp and Serie Reference 3 speakers. 

My brother was visiting last week and was so impressed with the sound that he decided that he might want to try a tube amp also (probably the same one as mine).  However, he is using a pair of SL3's that I gave him years ago and I'm concerned primarily about the current requirements of the Martin Logans as well as other concerns that I'm not thinking of.  I don't want him spending money on something that may not bring him improved sound so would appreciate more advice to pass on to him.  He currently uses a Rogue Audio SS amp with his SL3 speakers and, to me, it sounds very good. 
jimbreit
lostbears's avatar
lostbears
538 posts
 

 I had a pair of ML SL3s for years driven with an Audio Research V70 and then a Ref 110. Ideally you would want at least 100 wpc to drive the SL3s properly. I don't think the Cary Rocket 88R  would be powerful enough. The SL3s will tend to sound closed in without enough power. 

 I had a pair of Cary SLAM monos in my system for a while. They drove the SL3s without a problem. But I will be honest, my V70 was a much better sounding amp. 




atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,632 posts
 
If you plan to use Martin Logans with a tube amplifier, you will want to investigate getting a set of ZEROs (www.zeroimpedance.com).

These will help that tube amp play the speakers without high end rolloff.
erik_squires
15,861 posts
 
It’s not like the end of the world will happen if you go with tube gear, and different tube gear will yield different results.

If you randomly picked out a half dozen beefy solid state amps and equal number of beefy tube amps though, you might find 1 tube amp really does justice to the midrange and treble they are capable of, while almost all the solid state amps would.

However, if you are up for the challenge, you may very well find something you really like. :)

Personally, I would try to make my life easier with a nice CJ pre and a very solid SS amp, like a Sanders ESL for instance. That's just me, and my lack of desire to look very hard though. :)

Best,


Erik
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