Which Mono block amps for ML Summit Speakers?

Well, I would definitely recommend tubes. Audio Research because of their output transformers which have taps down to 2 ohms; but there may be other makes of tube monoblocks which have that same capability. You'll have to check the ML website for power requirements, but I'll bet they'd do nicely with 150W per side, since the bass is self powered.

Go balanced interconnects if your preamp has balanced main outs. If you do select tube amps, then I'd also recommend a SS preamp, or a tube preamp if you decide to go with SS monblocks. If you do go with SS amps, consider some of the older Levinsons like the 23.5 or 27.5, which are well within your price (used) and they are amongst the most musical of all SS amps ever made; as opposed to Krell, Rowland, Bryston, etc. which I feel are a bit bright/edgy for this application.

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I'd be hesitant with the ARC CL150 mono amps. I had these for over a year and their 150w rating was quite wimpy to drive Magnepan Series 3.x speakers. The 110wpc VT130 stereo amp that I had before controlled the Maggies quite well without shutting down like the CL150s did regularly. I ultimately changed to Wolcotts for the Magnepans which worked beautifully in driveability and the openness of a tube amp.

Perhaps the ARC VT150 mono amps would be super here. The incredible dimensionality of the VT130 stereo amp leads me to believe the VT150 monos would be even more in this direction and a great match with the MLs which have a lesser 3-dimensional, bloomy, volume-of-space presentation than the Magnepans.

When I got the CAT JL-3 mono amps a couple years later, also rated at 150w, I realized 150w does not equal 150 watts. The CAT 150w rating was able to drive the Maggies like the CL150's never could come even close to doing. There's a lot more to a manufacturer's power rating when it comes to driving many speakers.

Perhaps the ML's are not difficult loads, but if you want more headroom, I suggest you look into the VTL 225 & 450 or Wolcott mono amps....or even a pair of the BAT VK60's. All of these are in the $4-5k range with the VT150s closer to the $6k price when you can find them.

I still have the Wolcotts. If you are near Minneapolis, I'd let you borrow them and try them out in your home.

John

YBA

Not necessarily the mono-blocks (very expensive) but something like a Passion 700.