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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
tweekerman OP
473 posts
 
LIGI , GASMAN thanks for the lead on the INNERSOUND line. no doubt this is THE AMP for electrostat speakers. which do you recommend , the mono $3000 or the less powerful amp$3000. should i settle for the assent or go with the ESL11Z? have you heard the innersound line of electrostates? if so how do they compare to martin logans? but really i want the soon to be released PATHOS CLASSIC ONE so i guess i have to forget electrostates alltogether. is that correct? (not enough power).
ljgj
955 posts
 
The more power the better in this case. I am not familiar with the Pathos sound but I love the tubes - they put out 95 wpc into 4 ohms which will push the speakers pretty well - get two and you can mono bridge each and get 135wpc I think . The Innersound Speakers are very good but their sweetspot is even smaller than the ML and their resale value per dollar paid and what is gotten back is not as good.
tweekerman OP
473 posts
 
afer getting lots of responses from ya'll and doing research, this opening post should have read ... QUAD988 + which amp.
adsal7e18
250 posts
 
if you can find cello performance 2,its one of the best match with cls,and you can get very best sound
tweekerman OP
473 posts
 
adsal@e-kolay scratch CLS replace with QUAD988 read my previous post in the electrostat shootout. i repeat the CLS11Z are close to being a thing of history,says one audiogoner "THANK GOD what a nightmare for amplification" ater hearing a friends ML ascent driven with a 8 yr. old conrad johnson monoblocks seems all ML,s are heavy drinkers. i'm planning to visit a arizona dealer for QUADS 988 he says they are not like the rest of electrostats..? i'll see, no better i'll hear.
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