Using Martin Logan speakers with tube amps??Any experiences??
I was an electrostatic fan for years. The last pair I owned was the Martin Logan Aries-i speakers and drove them with an ARC Classic 60. They played fine ... but I really didn't like the speakers. I found them non-involving musically and they didn't move enough air. I sold them at a profit and bought a used pair of Legacy Signature III's and never looked back. Frank |
Asking a bit much of the AR which only gives max 50w from the 4ohm tap at already 1% distortion, to do both the ML’s ESL panel and bass as well!! My guess it would have been a different outcome, to horizontal Bi-Amp’d the Aries with a cheap 100w Class-D on the bass section. http://www.av2day.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/biamp1.jpg Cheers George |
I have the good fortune to have a friend who drives M-L 15a Renaissance electrostats with a vintage Audio Research tube amp. Don't know the model, but has, if memory serves,16 output tubes total. He can really open those stats up with that amp! He is in an enormous room with a gabled ceiling. The combination seems to get rid of the M-L "plasticy" sound all too often heard through mylar diaphragms. Very open and airy. Especially fine reproduction of voices. Perfect for him as sung music is his tune of choice. |
I know of several cases where switching to solid state was the solution. It depends on your overall tastes, of course, but in general, that giant capacitor called an ESL speaker makes it common to see less than stellar amps droop in the top octaves and loose overall punch. The more common combination is tube pre with solid state amps, but YMMV, and there are always exceptions to the rule. Best, E |
