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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
erik_squires
16,126 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
don_c55
1,025 posts
 
Tube amps or tube/FET hybrids, work best with electrostatics IMO.

I have never heard the Sanders.
don_c55
1,025 posts
 
atmasphere

Why do you keep pushing ZERO?

Are you PAYED BY THEM?

Most all tube amps use output transformers with impedance taps that work just fine into 4  or 6 or even 16 ohms!

The Zero is of NO VALUE to most tube amps!
bradf's avatar
bradf
329 posts
 
Primaluna Dialogue HP integrated or separates.
Upscale Audio  should be able to answer your questions. They carry both the ML and the PL.

BTW: I have no affiliation with Upscale Audio

http://www.upscaleaudio.com/
almarg's avatar
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
Most all tube amps use output transformers with impedance taps that work just fine into 4 or 6 or even 16 ohms!

The Zero is of NO VALUE to most tube amps!
Don, the impedance of many electrostatic speakers, including most Martin-Logan models, decreases to very low values at high frequencies. The SL3 model the OP referred to, while having a nominal impedance of 4 ohms, is spec’d at 1.5 ohms at 20 kHz. Some other M-L models have impedances at 20 kHz in the vicinity of 0.7 ohms.

Most tube amps have effective output impedances on their 4 ohm taps that are comparable to or even greater than 1.5 ohms. The interaction of that kind of output impedance with that kind of load impedance variation will result in a greatly under-emphasized upper treble region relative to the response that would occur with a solid state amp. A Zero would either eliminate or considerably reduce that problem (note Ralph’s reference to avoiding high end rolloff), and I suspect it would also reduce amplifier-generated distortion.

Regards,
-- Al


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