Tube Amps, Magnapans and Impedance


I have tubed monoblocks running in class A with the output transformers rated at 8 ohms. They are driving Magnapan 3.7s which are rated at 4 ohms. Before I bought them I called Magnapan to get the frequency curve for their speakers. The engineer advised me that they are nominally rated at 4 ohms, the lowest load they present at their lowest frequency, but the frequency curve was essentially flat at 6-8 ohms throughout the audible range. The curve he faxed was satisfactory and I have been running them this way since new.

The reason for this thread is: A friend brought over his friend for a visit and listen. When the subject of tubes and planars arose and the impedance ’mismatch’ was discussed, he stated I was missing out by not having a 4 ohm amp. I tried to alleviate his concern with the above to no avail. I stipulated that it is good electrical practice to match the load to the amp but in my case a 6-8 ohm load across the band with tubed monoblock running in class A at 8 ohms was not significantly audible if at all to justify altering the transformers. I just didn’t bother after listening.

My question to my fellow audiophiles, particularly those who have tubed amps running at 8 ohms into loads between 6-8 ohms - Magnapans being the best - what are your thoughts on the subject?

In my experience it would take a speaker with a 4 ohm rating in the midrange where the music lives to really affect the performance with an anemic amp. Anemic bass and washed out mids are sure signs of an amp struggling with its load - which I do not have. My Magnapans sing from the very bottom of their range to the top. The human voice is especially seductive.

I think he had a case of ’wish I had a system like this’ blues. I think there is a term for that. Thoughts are appreciated.
128x128keesue
I run a Rogue integrated with 1.6s with no issues. I think they are on the 8 ohm tap. I never even bothered checking because it sounds great.
The big thing is, does it sound good?  Everything else is as you said, a case of "wish I had a system like this blues".  I had some Maggie 3.5's and loved them.  I will have to say that they do love current.  I would tell people that they are slightly more sensitive than running power into a couple of rocks.  When the power hits though, HELLO DARLING, you sweet beautiful speakers.  We did try the Maggies with a Audio Research tube amp, that was in the 80 watt range and they just didn't wake up like they did with the solid state in the 300 watt range.  Sounds to me like you have a great match up based on the way they sing.  I have never worried about what other people think of my system.  The only thing I listen to about my system is my ears.  Had a old college acquaintance come over one day and listen and he did similarly and began to tear things apart and what wasn't correct.  This from a guy that played infinity speakers with a carver amplifier.  It quickly became apparent that he knew his Corvette was parked next to a Ferrari and it really pissed him off.  Enjoy what you have and don't worry about others.  
I think the key question to answer is do you enjoy the music through your system.  Many respectable amp manufacturers only provide one hook for monoblocks or one per channel for stereo amps.

Maggies have some characteristics and one of them is not the ability to move air and create room shaking bass.  If that's your goal you'll likely not achieve it.