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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
terry9
2,353 posts
 
Have the Nobel Committee (Patience Prize) been in touch yet, Ralph?


erik_squires
16,303 posts
 
@don_c55 Well, yes, but how low and how high is what matters really. Getting significantly below 4 Ohms for instance.

The theory is solid, and if you see Stereophile's FR plots they do one into a simulated speaker load that's pretty good at showing the difference between tube and SS amps.

However! None of this really helps you determine what you may like. Listening is key.

Having said that, I've heard several electrostatic speakers, and when I had a chance to compare, tubes generally lost. I walked into one store with fairly young salespeople. They had a pair of ML's that had been sitting unsold for a while.  All tubes. I suggested they would sound better with SS. They changed it and the pair sold in a week.

@almarg That makes sense. High feedback --> Low output impedance, especially when that feedback is taken from the transformer outputs. :) Not sure what that amp is doing. Would be worth checking out.

Again, I'm not suggesting anyone get religious about it. Sound quality wise though, I would be perfectly happy with tube pre and SS amp. I would not chase a tube amp just for chasing a tube amp.

Best,


Erik
erik_squires
16,303 posts
 
One last thing, most ESL's are really not very neutral. Almost all can benefit significantly from digital EQ from the midrange on up.

Unlike dynamic speakers which can often be measurably neutral fairly inexpensively.

Again, don't get religious. I'm just saying, you are trading.

Best,


Erik
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,901 posts
 
One last thing, most ESL's are really not very neutral. Almost all can benefit significantly from digital EQ from the midrange on up.

I find that ESLs can be quite neutral! You are correct though that if there is a problem on the amplifier side, it will be from the midrange on up that it most likely manifests.
rlawry
485 posts
 
Ralph, Erik, thank you for the detailed explanation of how electrostatic speakers work with different types of amps.  A nice education.
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