Goldenear Triton One.R - can it be driven with low power tube amp?


I’m currently driving my Goldenear Triton One.R speakers with substantial monoblock solid state amps. However the Triton One.Rs have internal 1.6 kilowatt amplifiers for the lowest frequencies. So my primary amps are only driving the midrange and tweeters. Seems like overkill. Was thinking of using lower power tube amps, maybe even tube SETs. Will this work?
Has anyone done this? Comments welcomed.
cakids

Showing 3 responses by jperry

Thanks for the comment Charles. I really appreciate it, all of your comments are always well thought out and considered. You really know your stuff regarding SE amps and high efficiency speakers.  

  Jperry,
Knowing that Sandy Gross and cakids are both very pleased with their respective tube amplifiers driving the G.E. Triton. I have no doubt whatsoever the Line Magnetic 805ia would sound "great" as you mentioned.300b as driver for the 805 output tube, nice!
Charles
I have heard these driven by the Line Magnetic 805 integrated amp. A great match with great sound.
Charles does know his stuff and you like to give your opinion on things you have not heard based on measurements you did not make.

Have a great evening.

Jim Perry

georgehifi
You really know your stuff regarding SE amps and high efficiency speakers.  
This sort of statement can be very misleading, and be misleading to many that don't know better.
As the Wilson Alexia has nearly identical efficiency to these Goldenear's, Stereophile measured the Alexia at 91.2db, but they have a very nasty impedance v -phase angle load. Even a very powerfull push pull tube will have a very hard time driving it, as for a 8w S.E.T.!! no chance in ****.
 
So one needs to look at lot more than "just efficiency", and learn to read impedance vs -phase angle graphs, which is even more important than efficiency all it's good for is to give you an idea how "loud" to can go, not how good the driving sound quality will be.

Cheers George