2. amps-preamps
  3. 146095-78654

Looking for great tube integrated for Martin Logan Summit X speakers

I've had upgrade fever every since I added bass traps and acoustic panels to my listening room and wondered why I didn't do that years ago.  So I've decided to change my Plinius Hautonga integrated and make the plunge to tubes. I want that sound, and the thought of tube rolling appeals to me.  I was leaning toward the Primaluna Dialogue HP integrated, but after doing more reading, I'm concerned that it won't have adequate power due to the Summit's impedance needs.  I'm admittedly a novice with tubes, so seeking help from the forum.   My room is about 12x15, with the area behind my listening position open for an additional eight feet.  I don't listen at high volumes at all, and my favorite music is female jazz, smooth jazz, Nora Jones type vocals.  Music comes from SACDs and Tidal exclusively - I have no analogue gear.

The rest of my gear:
  • Gustard x20u DAC modified by Rick Schultz
  • Oppo 103D for SACDs modified by Rick Schultz
  • Bryston BDP-1 music streamer
Will I be happy with the Primaluna, or do you have other suggestions in the $5,000 range?  Or should I stay away from tubes for these speakers?

Appreciate your opinions!

Steve
smills59

Showing 6 responses by tomcy6

tomcy6's avatar
tomcy6
1,368 posts
 
There are a lot of people who say MLs sound best with tubes but my experience is that they do better with lots of power.  I never tried them with tubes.

I had Summit Xs powered by Pass XA30.8s and they sounded great to me.  The 30.8 I believe puts about 100 watts into 8 ohms and increases into 4 and 2 but doesn't double down.

I decided to see what a muscle amp would sound like and got a D'Agostino Classic Stereo.  300 watts into 8 ohms 1,000 into 2 ohms.  It was a great improvement in every way.  The Summit Xs really came to life with more power.

So that doesn't answer your question, but that was my experience.
tomcy6's avatar
tomcy6
1,368 posts
 
smills, There is a Martin Logan Owners website and forums:

http://www.martinloganowners.com/forum/index.php?s=3ecd8caf173352b81da8a3321b9a338e

Try your question there.  Here's a link to a search for tube amp:

http://www.martinloganowners.com/forum/tags.php?tag=tube+amp

The problem with tube amps is that MLs are very hard for an amp to drive and most tube amps can't put out the current (or voltage?) to drive them properly.  People use tube amps anyway and like the sound.  I wish I could give you an easy answer, but I can't.  
tomcy6's avatar
tomcy6
1,368 posts
 
Let us know  which amp you end up with.  Enjoy!
tomcy6's avatar
tomcy6
1,368 posts
 
smills, Would you give us a little more information about how the two amps compare on your Summit Xs?
tomcy6's avatar
tomcy6
1,368 posts
 
smills, Sounds like you're in the tubes with MLs camp.  If that's what sounds best to you then that's what you should listen to.  It sounds like the PrimaLuna gives you a better midrange while the Sanders sounds better in the lows and highs.  Is that correct?  Keep us informed of your amp tryouts and let us know what you end up with.  This information is valuable for other ESL owners.

George, you've made your case and your input and knowledge is appreciated, but many people use tubes with MLs.  Technically, you may be right,  but we all have to judge with our ears and for all of us this is a continuing journey not a one-and-done.  So some of the tubers may eventually come to agree with your point of view, but they'll do it when they're ready.  
tomcy6's avatar
tomcy6
1,368 posts
 
George, no that's not my motto.  If someone reads the arguments against using a tube amp with their speakers, gets a ss amp made for those speakers and a tube amp, compares them in his system and decides he likes the tube amp better, I'm not going to argue with him about it.  Life is too short.
More to discover