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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
helomech
766 posts
 
@georgehifi brought up some good points. I didn’t bother to look up the real-world efficiency specs of these speakers.

If you want tube sound from a solid-state integrated, look into the newer Yamaha MOSFET-based amps. I’ve yet to encounter any others that come near as close to emulating the lush midrange and 3D-holographic soundstage of a tube amp - not even the tube/SS hybrids. I’ve compared my A-S1100 back-to-back with my CMII, which is fitted with NOS tubes, and the Yamaha manages at least 90% of the tube character, but with greater detail.

These integrateds are 2-ohm stable, run cool (at least, they do with 4-ohm nominal speakers), and have very large power supplies. They’re also dead-quiet in operation. A lightly-used or demo A-S3000 would probably fall within your budget.
smills59 OP
24 posts
 
Thank you for all your comments.  I am definitely a novice here, so please excuse these questions.

My listening position is about 8 feet from the speakers.  I never listen loudly, and I prefer chamber music jazz, blues, Nora Jones, Diana Krall, and similar.  So I definitely don't stress the speakers at all.  Knowing that, should I still be concerned about impedance levels?  The Primaluna has very large transformers.  They also say that Martin Logan used their equipment at shows a few years back.  The Summit X speakers have a sensitivity of  91 dB/2.83 volts/meter.

@georgehifi, that Yamaha looks like it might be a good option.

Thanks!!!
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
4,966 posts
 
smills59 OP
@georgehifi, that Yamaha looks like it might be a good option.

Thanks!!!

I’d look at a s/h John Curl designed Parsound Halo Integrated Hint, or it’s successor the Parsound Halo Integrated Hint 6, both have ESS Sabre32 Reference DAC in it and phono stage.
These will drive the Summits fine, as they are bjt output and can give good current 45 amps into those nasty impedance’s of the Summits.
http://www.parasound.com/hint6.php

I wouldn’t bother the the Prima Luna on these speakers it will act like a tone control.

Cheers George
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.  
barolobrain
21 posts
 
Not sure where you live but worth trying to find a dealer that either has your speakers in their shop or will let you home demo the amp.  I owned ML Monolith IIIx for 15 years, different from the Summit but similar in that the woofer is driven by a separate amp.  I used tubed amps on the panels and they have the same challenges as the Summit panels.  ARC D125 which had rated power of 110 watts per channel into 16 ohms (obviously way less into the panel) and then VAC PA160III monoblocs which I generally ran triode so 60-80 watts per side depending on output tube.  Both of these amps had more than enough power to drive the panels in a room that is 12x25 with a cathedral ceiling.  As for tube rolling, it's fun but can be distracting.  Since sold the MLs and went with a BAT VK3000SE integrated, tube input and SS output.  Works well with my current speakers and I just enjoy the music.  Have fun with the speakers, I do miss the air those panels can move!
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