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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
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,868 posts
 
I believe Roger Sanders was involved in the design of the original Martin-Logan model(s), but now disavows the curvilinear principle and design, not using it in his own ESL.
stewart0722
184 posts
 
Sanders does indeed disavow curvilinear.....his goal is to remove the room and it's issues as much as possible.....
In theory it makes sense, and if you listen to Sanders at a show, you will leave the room impressed.......but listening to a pair in someone's living room, they are the most aggravating loudspeaker I have ever experienced by a wide margin.....you hear all about "sweet spots".....in the case of the Sanders, you will have a close relationship w/ the sweet spot because you'll need to be square in it to hear anything remotely musical at all......It's not head in a vice, it's head in a tightened vice......
the Acoustats, ML's and Magnepan's I've experienced did not suffer from this at all.....
tomcy6's avatar
tomcy6
2,597 posts
 

Thanks Erik, Do you have any experience with the MC275?  Do you think that in mono parallel  configuration it would be a good match for Martin Logans?

I haven't heard the Sound Labs or Sanders ESLs, but I'm sure they are both fine speakers with their own set of trade offs.

stewart0722
184 posts
 
Sound Labs are the only electrostatics I have never heard.....

The Sanders are not a set of tradeoffs, they are in my mind unlistenable
because of how you must be positioned in the room........

I think the MC275 would be a great amp for stats in a reasonably sized room. I would however, go substantial solid state with a great tube preamp and use Magnepan 3.7s which I think are more musical than ML (although I’ve only had experience with a couple of models)
I’ve seen lightly used pairs of 3.7s for 3K which is quite unbelievable actually........
tomcy6's avatar
tomcy6
2,597 posts
 
Thanks for the advice Stewart, I got your point about the Sanders ESLs.  As I said, I haven't heard them, but on principle I don't think I'd be interested in a speaker that was that directional. 
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