tube amps and electrostatics

Mapman, I would suggest to you that that reflects how the our hearing responds to a flat frequency response. The flat frequency response is a base line. Deviate from the baseline and our hearing would deviate accordingly.

Autoformers cost more than many speakers themselves. That's a factor to consider in the equation that can't be ignored.

Have you checked the price on Zero autoformers? Even in the finished boxes I cannot see how your assertion could possibly be true.

I am standing down. I read all the posts and respect the good intensions and credibility of all the folks who contributed to this OP.

My sense of the issue is purely academic. I'm still trying to get my arms around "simple" electrical compatibility concepts involving amps and conventional/cone speakers. Electrostats seem like a horse of a very differnt color.

I will say this. Any interest I had in trying ESLs is gone. It seems that amp/ESL compatibility is counter-intuitive. So I'll stick with what I have.

Btw, to the point about going with one's ears. I've been switching between my amp's 4 and 8 ohm output taps. For various technical reasons that I am not going to get into, I would have surmised that the 4 ohm taps would have been the preferred taps. But it just isn't always the case. At least that's what my ears tell me. So much for any notion of "faithful sound reproduction."

Well Stanely, "... that's another fine case" where changing speakers may be an exercise in futility.

Cheers and Happy Holidays.

Bruce

****Btw, to the point about going with one's ears. I've been switching between my amp's 4 and 8 ohm output taps. For various technical reasons that I am not going to get into, I would have surmised that the 4 ohm taps would have been the preferred taps. But it just isn't always the case. At least that's what my ears tell me. So much for any notion of "faithful sound reproduction." ****

That was PRECISELY my point. However, I consider what my ears tell me to be correct and the more "faithful sound reproduction"; and what I may have surmised due to theory as secondary in importance. As always, trust the ears; unless we smell smoke, of course :^)

Theory helps one to play the game well, but ya still gotta play it.

Autoformers in finished boxes showed as costing over a grand. A barebones version would be less i suppose. Es speakers can be pricey, so its all relative i suppose.