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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
maplegrovemusic's avatar
maplegrovemusic
1,113 posts
 
jimbreit - I have some experience with your question . I also posed the same question a few years ago . Only a few people responded with less than great advice . Most stated a couple hundred Audio Research watts would be needed with my stats (King Sound). I pretty much was convinced i would never have a pair of tube monoblocks in my system due to the economics involved and focused on ss . 
Fast forward to last year . I picked up a Primaluna Dialogue 2 integrated rated at 35 wattts . At the time i had 6 pairs of boxed speakers that the plan was to use the primaluna with . One day i decided to put it in the main system with my King Sound stats and was pretty impressed with what i was hearing. Zero distortion as the volume increased to very high db's . I was able to play the primaluna just as loud as the solid state .
I have never purchased a amplifier unheard but plan on getting a Primaluna Dialogue premium hp some day . I can only imagine having the extra 35 watts over the dialogue2 will sound like .
maplegrovemusic's avatar
maplegrovemusic
1,113 posts
 
My main point would be don't get hung up on the watts of a tube amplifier and research the current it can provide . 
don_c55
1,025 posts
 
Without the ZERO’s Ralph’s amps sound poor with 80% of the speakers out in the world!

How many people use Zero’s anyway?

And those that do not, do just fine IMO!

There are lots of tube amps that will sound fine on ML speakers without Zero’s.
don_c55
1,025 posts
 
Most speakers have "roller coaster" impedance curves, and do just fine with most all tube and SS amps.

Do not buy into this "theoretical nit picking" impedance BS.

That does not matter much in the "real world" listening experience!
lancelock
1,094 posts
 
After hearing and owning a few different tube amps. I suggest having a listen to Linear Tube Audio transformerless amps. I have the ZOTL 40 driving my Janszen zA2.1 hybrid electrostat speakers and it's the best sound I've ever heard. I believe Upscale has them as well as Urban Hi Fi.
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