2. amps-preamps
  3. 1267261269

Amp/ preamp for electostatics and why

I would like to get some ideas on what amp and preamp sound best with electrostatic speakers and does the brand of the speaker make a difference? Do they like high current or high voltage better? I am running a pair of Martin Logan SL3's with a pair of PSE Studio V monoblock's and a BAT VK-30 pre right now but would like to play with the sound. also wondering about changing tubes in the pre.
ikonetic
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,754 posts
 
A set of our M-60s, using a set of ZEROs to drive the MLs will make 80 Watts at full power, are monoblocks and are fully balanced.

There's a used set in the classifieds right now.
kclone's avatar
kclone
678 posts
 
Look into Sanders Sound Systems. They specialize in Electrostatic systems. This company used to be called Innersound. They have a nice preamp/amp combo you may want to check out.
rrog
1,958 posts
 
Audio Research made a V-140. It was basically Classic 120 monos balanced. And if you use Audio Research you don't need the Zeros. There is always a trade off with that type of product.

Ralph, I'm surprised you are pushing your products here.
tom_hankins
928 posts
 
The Manley Snapper monoblocks have balanced inputs, sound wonderful, and match great with the BAT preamps. I use the VK-42se with mine and have a friend that uses the VK-51se with his. They are easy to bias, takes all of about 5 minutes.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,754 posts
 
Rrog, do you mean you are surprised that I recommended one of our used amps rather than a new one? Its true that I avoid direct recommendation of our products, even when I think the recommendation is warranted. However ESLs together with OTLs have a history that goes back to the very first ESLs. In this case the desire was for a monoblock balanced tube amplifier to work on an ESL...

BTW a good number of older/smaller ARC amps benefit from the use of ZEROs as well. I've seen that with ARC and ESLs a number of times.

ESLs for the most part are driven better by tubes if their impedance is manageable for the tube amp. Its seems to me that a number of ESL manufacturers are trying to increase their market share by reducing the impedance of their speakers, to make them work better with transistors. The problem here is that transistors will sound bright on ESLs, due to the difference in impedance from the highs to the lows, which can result in as much as a 5x or 6x difference in power! So IMO ESL manufacturers that take this tack are shooting themselves in the foot by cutting off the technology (tubes) that works best with their speakers.

for more information see
http://www.atma-sphere.com/papers/paradigm_paper2.html
More to discover