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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
tablejockey
743 posts
 
I've had my PL HP for 4 years. 

ML stats have been on my radar among many others.

I found them to sound fantastic with the PL.

Using sealed floorstanders/sub, and just looking for something different.

IMO, a subjective decision that only your ears can decide.

You won't know until any speaker is in your room.

This review mentions tube/SS performance with the Summit X
http://www.tonepublications.com/review/the-martinlogan-summit-x-speakers/

If more power is needed, you could drop KT120 or 150's to replace the EL34's. Other than visceral DEEP bass, I didn't hear anything lacking with the EL34's. Subs would take care of this.
This is just my personal taste, someone else may find it okay without a sub. 
helomech
766 posts
 
The Rogue Cronus Magnum II/III has plenty of grunt. Not the quietest integrated out there but probably the most powerful under $5K. I prefer it to many pricier amps I've heard. In use, it sounds like it has muscle comparable to a 300 watt SS unit, but retains the euphonic tube blossom. After rolling the preamp tube, its bass can put many SS integrateds to shame. 
shkong78's avatar
shkong78
515 posts
 
+1 to
helomech

After changing 12Ax7 with Telefuken and 12au7 with Brinmar NOS tube it is a very good amplifier to drive your speaker.
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
4,966 posts
 
All you have to do is look at this impedance curve, with a 4ohm load and and negative 65 degrees of - phase angle at 3.5khz you have an amp busting load that would seem to be blow 2ohm!!! EPDR.
Then again at 5khz to 20khz it goes from 2ohm down to 1ohm.
http://www.prespeaker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/martin-logan-summit-x-impedance-phase-graph.gif

No tube amp will get the best from these speakers, unless it has lots of global feedback is over 100watts and has an output transformer specifically designed to be 2ohms.

The best amp to get the very best out of these are solid state and ones that can "almost" double their wattage from 8ohm to 4ohms and then from 4 ohms to 2ohms.

Cheers George
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
4,966 posts
 

Forgot to mention, also at 250hz there’s a 4ohm -60 degree phase angle load which will equate to around 2ohms EPDR ( equivalent peak dissipation resistance ), that will also be hard for a tube amp to drive.
This is the power region, which will give good "body" to lower/mids if driven correctly.

Cheers George
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