Martin Logan CLS 11Z speakers + which power amp?


just listened to MARTIN LOGAN ASCENT($4300) and the AEON($3000). no doubt the best allround sound nothing even comes close. however i have heard that the CLS11Z are even better except in the bass. i listen to classical so i do not need big bass. problem is that one needs lots of power to drive them. i plan to buy the PATHOS CLASSIC ONE($2000+), it is reported to be the best of both worlds tube + solid state. do i need the PATHOS TWIN TOWERS($5000+)to drive the CLS11Z($4500). if so maybe i should go with the ASCENT+CLASSIC ONE (and with the savings pick up a CARY 303/200 or CARY 306/200. if not the PATHOS can someone make a suggestion on a amp.(not all tube and under $3000, used ok)? thanks , paul
tweekerman
I think all of the new SS and hybrid amps from Blue Circle are designed with the CLS IIz. Made just for em! I would definitely put these on my list!
I have not found a better amplifier for CLS IIz than the Innersound ESL amplifier. Dynamic, with extended highs, trouble free in operation, and a perfect match for any electrostat I have tried (various Acoustats, Innersound Eros, and CLS IIz.) The ESL amp lists for $2995; check the website at "www.innersound.net"
The Innersound is great for that speaker - you can add the ML sub later if you miss the deep bass - A friend of mine has this setup - without sub - tried it but didn't feel it created anything he needed. Phenomenal sound if you place them properly and can put up with their size - better looking than my Quad 989's were.
I am a martin logan dealer in ontario, I would recommend audio research, sonic frontiers because they sing together, especially for the price, conrad johnson, and if solid state, than definately krell or classe, i've heard all these combos even blue circle, and my favourite have been classe, than krell for solid state, and sonic frontiers and than audio research for tubes. If your looking for some sonic frontiers, krell, and one of my all time favourites, classe, than e-mail me and i'll tell you the details, but I would recommend listening to the used, mint condition classe amp, and matching preamp if you might be thinking of that too, because their sweet with the logans, and I would know because i've been selling them together for 15 years, and previous to that, quad.
dirtytrixxx@hotmail.com
I have the aerius i and have tried many amps(except ELS) but I've tried them with meridan, classe, krell kav, plinus, audiomat, b&k. I owned the bryston which was good but the bat vk200 really kicked for me. Great surenergy with the vk3i. The only thing I'd dump the bat for would be for the bigger bat vk500. Never auditioned the sim or krell fpb, but the claims from others were great. The bat let the ML's play rock & roll. As far as the martins go you diffinetly need subs in stereo. The subs I have now r the vandy's and I do love them. Haven't listened to the new descent. But the setup on the vandy's I think r the real key to the whole sub setup, accurate timing and superb blend. Good luck.