Looking for great tube integrated for Martin Logan Summit X speakers

I like that photo, George!  Are you trying to say that I shouldn't rely on the manufacturer's responses?  I understand that to some degree, but they are both reputable manufacturers/distributors and thus should know their products and speak the truth.  If they did not, their reputations would suffer all over the internet, hurting their sales as well.  I totally get what the charts are showing, but perhaps listening critically is the best overall indicator of whether something works or it doesn't.

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.

Are you trying to say that I shouldn’t rely on the manufacturer’s responses?

They are wanting to sell an amp, it will work, but it won't get the best out of the Summits.

What you should do instead of wasting time and money seeing now your going around in circles.
Is to ask Martin Logan what amp out of the three PL , Rogue, and Sanders will drive the Summits to their best sound possible seeing your stuck on these.
And then ask them what amps they have heard that get the very best out of them, then you’ll get an idea of what you’ll need, instead of listening to the non technical on what can drive this hard impedance and capacitive loading.


Cheers George

Sorry, I thought I'd shared that already.  I did call Martin Logan about tube amps, but not specific brands or tube vs solid-state.  Their response was very non-committal, probably because they do not want to give a recommendation for specific brands.  All they shared was that the amplifier needs to have enough amps and current to drive the speakers.  Not much help there, unfortunately.

I have been hanging in the backround reading at the possibilities of ttube integrated over the other SS choice.

Here is my take......
Having used a Chinese tube integrated for many years, I went to NuPrime STA-9 Class D amp with my Martin Logans. The sound was so much more dynamic and vocals were just clear in a way that it felt like a veil came off. That was then, and below is now.
Martin Logan Montis Speakers


I'm using a tube Schiit Freya preamp that has been perfect for allowing for the tube sound, and also the ability to bypass the tubes for passive, or JFET sound. What a preamp, and at $699, a steal. It houses (4) 6SN7 tubes, and they are considered great tubes for sound and tube rolling.

Amplfier that is hands down the best at low cost.
Vintage Krell.

Krell with their Class A sound and power doubling for each change in ohms, just put every other amp to shame. I now have a Krell KSA-200s, and 2 other Krell amps that have been serviced. A serviced vintage Krell will get all new capacitors and another 20 years of life. The sound will equal amps costing $20k or more.
High Performance Stereo https://www.highperformancestereo.com/power-amplifiers/solid-state/krellkst100.html has this Krell KST-100 for $1,560. I have this Krell and it would be plenty to drive your Summit at 200 watts/ch @4ohms. The Class A is what seals the deal. Krell is known as having the best dynamics and low end.

Speaking of low end. I find that the SummitX or the Montis does better with 2 REL S Series subs. Enhances the whole speaker in a way that you think you got new speakers. Expensive yes, but can be found used for a good price. REL is something you should read up on. Trying to tell you in a sentence is not fair to the experience you will get out of them. Been involved in audio for close to 50 years. I'm still picking my jaw off the ground after going from one REL S3 to 2 REL S3s, now in true stereo.