Electrostats are generally very power hungry speakers, so most tube amps would not necessarily be a good match, unless you buy one of the newer models that put out more wattage then the average tube amp. The more tubes in the amp, though, the costlier, both initially and to eventually re-tube it. Not sure you will find something in that price range you mentioned.
Could someone recommend a good tube pre/main amp?
Hello and thanks for taking a minute,
I have always wanted to get separates, and finally have the kind of electrostatic speakers that warrant quality separates. I am all about high frequencies and voice--imaging, detail, crisp highs, hearing the singer take a breath, etc. From my research so far, the ideal combination seems to be a tube pre with monoblock main amps. Is it correct that monos get channel separation (and thus imaging) that is virtually impossible with stereo mains? Could someone recommend some good used tube preamps that would go for around $300-350 used? And then I would need a SS amp that would not lose the details that the tube pre created. I have heard Carvers are very good with highs and detail, but in my $300-350 price range I have found Carver, B & K, Altec, Hafler, and other brand HQ mono blocks. Also, my friend has a vintage Fisher tube amp for sale. I have a Pioneer Elite receiver, so the pre is really not necessary if I could find a main amp that can do it all. My budget is about $500-600 total for all. I know you're laughing:) What think you?
I have always wanted to get separates, and finally have the kind of electrostatic speakers that warrant quality separates. I am all about high frequencies and voice--imaging, detail, crisp highs, hearing the singer take a breath, etc. From my research so far, the ideal combination seems to be a tube pre with monoblock main amps. Is it correct that monos get channel separation (and thus imaging) that is virtually impossible with stereo mains? Could someone recommend some good used tube preamps that would go for around $300-350 used? And then I would need a SS amp that would not lose the details that the tube pre created. I have heard Carvers are very good with highs and detail, but in my $300-350 price range I have found Carver, B & K, Altec, Hafler, and other brand HQ mono blocks. Also, my friend has a vintage Fisher tube amp for sale. I have a Pioneer Elite receiver, so the pre is really not necessary if I could find a main amp that can do it all. My budget is about $500-600 total for all. I know you're laughing:) What think you?