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Slam possible with Tubes instead of SS ??

I like the sound of tubes having a Sonic Frontiers tube pre amp. Is it possible to get that good SS slam I like from a a reasonably priced tube amp? Using an aragon 8002 ss amp at present. Looking to spend about $2 K max if I decide to jump the fence. Yes i do like to feel the bass and do want want to give that up.
blueskiespbd
rrog
1,958 posts
 
Tvad, Look at the sensitivity and impedance curve of an electrostatic speaker and tell me if it is a good match for tubes.
tmsorosk
1,013 posts
 
Pass Labs are great sounding amps and i'm sure Blueskiespbd would be happy with them , but bass impact was not one of there strong points .
tvad
9,467 posts
 
12-21-10: Rrog
Tvad, Look at the sensitivity and impedance curve of an electrostatic speaker and tell me if it is a good match for tubes.
Rrog, I don't have any experience with electrostatic speakers.

I'm aware that some electrostatic speakers like the Quad ESL have historically been driven by PP tube amps. A friend used a VAC PP tube amp to drive Soundlab electrostatic speakers.

Beyond that, I can't comment further.
blueskiespbd's avatar
blueskiespbd OP
161 posts
 
So. Do the pass and Rowland amps provide slam bass ?
rleff
1,065 posts
 
Rrog I am driving soundlab m2's with audiovalve challanger 180 mono's using 6550c's with great results;this is a class A amp push pull.
Electrostatics can be matched with tubes you just need to do some careful matching and it can be done;another match
would be Atmasphere's ma1's or above;that is supposed to be a very very good match for electrostatics and its OTL tubes as well.
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