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Looking for great tube integrated for Martin Logan Summit X speakers

I've had upgrade fever every since I added bass traps and acoustic panels to my listening room and wondered why I didn't do that years ago.  So I've decided to change my Plinius Hautonga integrated and make the plunge to tubes. I want that sound, and the thought of tube rolling appeals to me.  I was leaning toward the Primaluna Dialogue HP integrated, but after doing more reading, I'm concerned that it won't have adequate power due to the Summit's impedance needs.  I'm admittedly a novice with tubes, so seeking help from the forum.   My room is about 12x15, with the area behind my listening position open for an additional eight feet.  I don't listen at high volumes at all, and my favorite music is female jazz, smooth jazz, Nora Jones type vocals.  Music comes from SACDs and Tidal exclusively - I have no analogue gear.

The rest of my gear:
  • Gustard x20u DAC modified by Rick Schultz
  • Oppo 103D for SACDs modified by Rick Schultz
  • Bryston BDP-1 music streamer
Will I be happy with the Primaluna, or do you have other suggestions in the $5,000 range?  Or should I stay away from tubes for these speakers?

Appreciate your opinions!

Steve
smills59
moofoo
292 posts
 
I have the PL Dialogue Premium (not HP version) and drove the ML ESLs (first version) with it and it sounded great to me. I used EL34s, KT88s, KT77s, KT120, KT150s, 6550s over several years,  and various NOS input tubes in the PL, and my PL Prologue Premium pre-amp. I used the 4ohm taps for the MLs and always came back to the SED Winged C EL34 and Sovtek 6550 power tubes. I “serious” listen to only vinyl. Rock, jazz, lots of guitar oriented music, vocals,  and the PL ML combination was nice, the panels “disappeared” as they should. Never cared about lots of bass, am 63 and not into shrill sounding anything. Mostly NOS Mullards and Brimars in my pre-tubes, amp included.
maplegrovemusic's avatar
maplegrovemusic
1,113 posts
 
What ? You stated the Primaluna would roll off the highs . Now it the cause of sibilance . Pick one theory and stick with it "Sunshine"
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
Go back and read sunshine!! take a pill and chill!
I also said the PL’s "hf peak could" counter that in a very crude way.

A normal tube amp with a flat frequency response (no peak) will roll off the highs with the 1ohm load of the Summits.
smills59 OP
54 posts
 
Thanks again everyone!  Moofoo, I'm 62, and my hearing has also changed.  I wish I was into audio when I was younger, but at that time I also didn't have the funds due to raising a family.  I'm into it now though!

Just received my credits from Upscale Audio (my Plinius) and Sanders, so settling into the PL now.  Currently listening to Crosby, Stills, Nash from the 4 ohm tap.  I'll change to the 8 ohm in a few days to compare.  Once I've listened to the current tubes, I will probably roll the preamp two tubes just to see if my 62 year old ears hear a difference before moving to others.  Fun!
moofoo
292 posts
 
Glad you are enjoying it! For me it is all about the music, but you have to research, listen, buy and sell, experiment, and take chances to really learn to even begin to understand what sound you want to get out of your system. So in a sense you have to go through the equipment to get to the music. A super fun hobby, and lifestyle it is.
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