Best amplifier for CLX


Hi
I own Martin Logan CLX
I am looking for best amplifier for them

My front ends is all Accuphase fully balanced
I have tried most SS but not being really satisfied
Heard Soulution 700 but not in my system
JV suggests is good Match
However my experience suggests tubes unleash the full
Qualities of CLX especially the bass panels
Interested in suggestions from others experience
My room is 10 ft tall by 30 ft by 20 ft
I listen to a lot of classical large orchestral Bruckner and Mahler
Thx in Advance
Andrew
awsmone0
Awsmone0, I strongly suggest you read this white paper from Roger Sanders, of ESL design fame, before you make any decisions.
As some amps will turn into a virtual fixed tone control and not stay flat in frequency response from 20hz -20khz with the impedance loads that ESL's can give that can go from 60ohms down to 1ohm.

http://sanderssoundsystems.com/technical-white-papers/172-tubes-vs-transistors

Cheers George
I also suggest your read here, the Martin Logan owners forum, as most recommend the Magtech or similar solid state amps for the CLX's.

http://www.martinloganowners.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?1-Main-Menu

Here is a thread that compares many amps on the CLX's the tube ones loose out with restricted dynamics (Prima Luna) and rolled off highs (ARC VT100 and MacIntosh 275) because of the 1ohm load the CLX's represent. The Pass Labs were liked as were the ModWright and MBL SS amps.

http://www.martinloganowners.com/forum/showthread.php?11965-Let-the-amp-war-begin!

Cheers George
For your type of music and room size you may want to consider using subs. Most of the people I know with CLS's use them.

"I have tried most SS but not being really satisfied"

That could mean many different things. What is it that you are missing?
Hi Andrew,
Agree that to optimize full range ESL best is still to use high power tube amps..
Back in '80s, was pretty pleased driving my CLSsI & II with VTL300+Ultimate and/or
ARC Classic150+SP11. A buddy now has CLX augmented by a pair of Descent subs,
similarly, he too could not be fully satisfied by just about any SS amps he tried them
with--always finding the resultant a tad lean-ish--perhaps an inherent character of
CLXs?

Soulution700 is one SS which will control panels of your CLXs with an iron grip,
energizing to make them fuller sounding no doubt. But IMO, the Accuphase A200 is
timbre-ly more refined, pure and natural--not quite as obviously powerful in the bass,
but more articulate and goes just as deep, or almost compared to 700, but is deeper
than that of the stereo 710.

Since you currently already own an almost full Accuphase system, why not top it off
with A200 which will probably make best synergy? If thinking tube route, I'd look into
something like the Jadis which is largely known for its brute power, finesse whilst
being fuller sounding than most. Perhaps big VTL Siegfred or ARC Ref750 could make
good candidates as well, but too much heat and tubes, IMO.. ;)