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Tube integrateds and Electrostatic Speakers

Any one out there experienced with Martin Logan or other electrostatics and tube amps? Am currently driving my ML Summit Xs with 185watts of SS power. I still love tubes and wonder how the complex impedance challenges they pose would work with something like a PrimaLuna Dialogue Premium HP.

Any thoughts would be most welcome.
adeep42
tomcy6's avatar
tomcy6
2,605 posts
 

Check out Robert Deutsch’s review of the Montis in Stereophile. He tried 3 different tube amps, including the PrimaLuna Prologue Premium integrated, and a Simaudio W-7 ss amp. He ended up liking the McIntosh Mc-275 the best.

I own a pair of the Summit Xs. They’re a great speaker aren’t they? I was using a Pass XA-30.8 but knew that "technically" the speakers could use more power. So I tried a D’Agostino Classic Stereo amp which has more power and doubles down to 2 ohms. The result is a more relaxed, cleaner sound that keeps me in the listening chair listening longer. The D’Agostino is more expensive and that could explain the difference, but I think the added watts and doubling down are significant.

I would like to try out a good strong tube amp with the Xs though.

mb1audio02
188 posts
 
" Any one out there experienced with Martin Logan or other electrostatics and tube amps? Am currently driving my ML Summit Xs with 185watts of SS power."

Tubes are no problem. I drove my SL-3's with my VAC 30/30 (32 watts/ch). You don't need something that expensive, though. Quicksilver V-4, ARC VT-100, VAC PA 100/100, Cary V12's, SF Power 2 or 3, would all be good choices.
bradf's avatar
bradf
329 posts
 
Some time ago, Jarred at Upscale Audio mentioned to me a demo he set up using 1st generation PL Dialogue with ML and how impressed he was with the performance of the PL / ML combo.  You may find his advice helpful. Upscale sales both PL and ML.
Personally I like the idea of the Dialogue Premium Pre-amp and Dialogue Premium HP amp, and may very well consider the PL / ML someday.
I own / owned the PL Prologue P3 and P5 (stored), and P7 Mono pair (sold) and I still use the PL P8 CDP with my current Merlin TSM /Ars Sonus Filarmonia combo. There's better and worst, but for the dollar it exceeds most.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,938 posts
 
Many ML speakers have a very low impedance at high frequencies. You might find a set of ZEROs helpful in dealing with the load. I would try the amp 'with' and 'without'.

www.zeroimpedance.com
adeep42 OP
120 posts
 
Thank you all for your super input. I've got plenty to think about.
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