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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
smills59 OP
24 posts
 
For some unknown reason, I’m focused on tubes. I called Kevin and Upscale Audio and he talked me into ordering a Dialogue HP Integrated which arrives Tuesday. he also offered me $2500 for my Plinius Hautonga integrated, which seems fair. He said at my listening levels and room size, the HP will be perfect.  I will try the PL HP for a few weeks before I decide. I do understand the impedance issue, but maybe at 65 I cant hear those frequencies anyway. :) I read on their website that Martin Logan used PL amps at a few shows a few years back, so maybe they will be what I want. If not, I’ll send it back and keep my Plinius and investigate something like the BAT VK3000SE or similar. I know the best option is probably to have a tube preamp and SS amp or mono blocks but not in my budget to go separates. I could get the PL preamp and use the Plinius amp by hooking up to the HT input until I can afford a better amp...Hmmm? What do you guys think about that?

Steve


markusthenaimnut's avatar
markusthenaimnut
4 posts
 
Steve -
There's nothing wrong with tubes, but I commend to your attention Roger Sanders' excellent white paper on "tubes vs. solid state" which can be found on the sanders sound systems website. I found it to be very helpful in understanding why some folks insist on tubes while others prefer solid state.
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
4,966 posts
 
All I can say is "WE TRIED" and the sales pitch won out.

Cheers George
smills59 OP
24 posts
 
Well, not completely.  I'm also going to order the Saunders ESL amp and use my Plinius as preamp while I compare the two.  I read the article that markusthenaimnut referred me to on their website and it was also very , convincing.  In that article he does say that the roll off at high frequencies is probably not noticeable (maybe more so for us older folks), and that power is very important.  He uses a large transformer, as does the PL.  It will be interesting to compare them both.  The Summitt x bass is powered, so the amp will only power the panels.  

I appreciate everyone's comments and suggestions.  This is a great hobby with many opinions, all of which are certainly valid.  That's what makes it fun!
tomcy6's avatar
tomcy6
1,368 posts
 
Let us know  which amp you end up with.  Enjoy!
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