Slam possible with Tubes instead of SS ??

12-21-10: Reb1208
The official sensitivity rating for the Snell C/V is 90db @ 1 meter with 2.83vrms. Nominal impedance 8 ohms, minimum 5 ohms.

Actual test measurements like those done by John Atkinson of Stereophile often provide a more realistic presentation of the actual specs of the speakers.

If you look at the link in my first post, you'll see the test figures differ by a fair amount from the official factory published specs...enough to make a difference when mating them with a tube amp.

IMO.

islandman

Plinius has it all, smooth, very powerful (the dynamics will scare hell out of you), great imaging and soundstage

ahhh now that sounds like my kind of amp. Put on diaper.....
turn up to 11 !

While considering that every HiFi system is different, you still might want to take a look at this current thread from a Plinius SA 100 MkIII amp owner.

Take a look at Stringreen's 12/21/10 post.

Due diligence is important.

Rleff, Isn't it true electrostatics typically sound best with tubes?

My Soundlab A1 speakers seem to really open up with a very powerful SS amp. I am currently using a Sunfire Signature 600 x 2 amp that is amazing on this speaker. I know some will think no way a Carver amp can sound this amazing with SL speakers, but it does! 600 watts per channel into 8 ohms and all the way up to 4000 watts into 1 ohm!

By far the best amp I have had on my Soundlab's. OTL amps like Atmasphere also work nice as I have tried an Atmasphere MA1. An MA2 is really needed to drive this speaker to louder levels (over 92 db with a good amount of remaining headroom) based on my experience. The Sunfire amp just opens up this speaker and runs them unlike anything else I have tried. Bass is outstanding and the mids and highs are open and so rich and warm. Quite special really.

Point is careful matching and trial may be needed for the best speaker and amp match. I have found tube amps have slam in spades when matched with the right speaker only! Typically this should be speakers with higher efficiency and minimum impedance not below 6 ohms.

I read once that Soundlab speakers do bass well with SS amps that are designed with a large number of output devices per channel. The Sunfire Signature does and my past SS amps have not had near as many output devices. Perhaps this is why the Sunfire SS amp mates so wonderfully with Soundlab speakers.