Amplifier for Martin Logan Requests

I sell Sound Labs, which are less efficient and a more difficult load than the ReQuests. The Wolcott Audio Presence amps are superb with the Sound Labs, especially the latest version with the ultra wide bandwidth output transformer. I would bet the Wolcotts would match up very well with the ReQuests. They are pretty much the tube amp of choice for difficult loads.

Logans really love tubes. Your Requests will really open up with any good tube amp. The Wolcott's would be a good choice as would be ARC VT100/200's, Sonic Frontiers Power 3, Mesa Baron and older amps like VAC PA160's. There are some real deals out there on new Wolcott's and Power 3's (like half of retail). Used VT100 MkII's seem to have dropped significantly in price lately (maybe something to do the the new MkIII). I'm using a Baron on my CLS's and it is a great match. Every tube amp that I auditioned was superior to the ss amps I tried with the CLS's. I would suspect similar results with your hybrids. You really owe it to yourself to audtion some tubes -- you won't regret it.

Jim, I've read a couple of your rave reviews on tube amps and, unfortunately, I'm new to the scene(not to mention close to any tube retailers for auditions) Are the amps you are suggesting affordable (i.e. less than $2k) or would I be better off trying a tube pre first thereby keeping the SS power?

Wsmatau, I went the tube pre with solid state power amps for quite a while. Most recently, good results with an Audible Illusions Modulus3 and a McCormack DNA1 Deluxe. Better results still with NOS Seimens tubes (at $64 per tube, thank God there are only four of them). But, there is only so much you can do with the tube pre/ss amp combination. Don't get me wrong, this sounded good but when I finally went the tube amp route it was a whole other ballgame with my system. Yes, tube magic can be had for $2,000. That's what I paid for my Mesa Baron with new matched tubes. I looked at VAC's for less than this price (PA100's and PA160's -- wonderful sound and detail with my CLS's but the Baron had more balls and near infinite adjustabilty on the fly). There are many other new and used tube amps at just slightly higher price points. Don't get hung up on power ratings... even when running my Baron in 2/3rd's triode (approximately 90 watts) it plays at a higher level and more effortlessly than my 185 watt McCormack. And that's with fairly difficult to drive esl's. The McCormack was good to a point, but at it's best not nearly as good as any of the tube amps I tried -- and after that point the DNA fell apart (my speakers' fault). There are lots of reasonably priced tube pieces out there. Works for me. My foot is in the stirup, I'm hooked. Doesn't hurt to audition something different and decide what you like. Lastly, I think that, generally, tube amps are better with tube pre's. Anyone out there feel free to correct me if there are different experiences regarding this point. I'm looking to step up from my Audible Illusions Mod3 with the Baron (too much gain on the M3), any suggestions?

Hi Jim, Which Mesa baron tube amp do you have? I am still looking for the right amp for my system. I have an AI Modulus 1 that I will be upgrading shortly. I have heard that the CJ Premier 5 is a killer tube amp. Would like to have a tube amp/ pre-amp combo to create synergy. Any suggestions?