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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
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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bdp24
9,819 posts
 

A real nice tube amp for ESL’s is the Music Reference RM-200 Mk.2, designed and built by Roger Modjeski, an amp maker who is also an ESL speaker expert. Roger currently makes his own ESL’s, and was involved in the design of the legendary Beveridge ESL’s of the 1980’s.

The RM-200 Mk.2 uses only two KT-88 (or similar) output tubes per channel for 100 watts each, and does so without running the tubes hot or hard. One of the bargains in hi-fi, $4200 new. It imo resides in that perfect price vs, performance sweet spot. Currently in Stereophile’s Class A Tube category.

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almarg
9,670 posts
 
Don_c55 10-12-2016
Do not buy into this "theoretical nit picking" impedance BS.
The impedance interactions I referred to can easily make a difference of several db or more in the uppermost octave, with electrostatic speakers such as the M-Ls.  That is certainly not nit-picking or BS. Although within the range of possible interactions preferences may of course vary widely depending on the particular listener, system, and room. And yes, many people use M-L speakers with tube amps, without using Zeros, with results that are satisfactory even if not theoretically optimal. But Ralph’s suggestion was legitimate and well worth considering, IMO, and did not warrant the cynical response it received.

Regards,
-- Al


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