Help me choose a speaker match for my Line Magnetic 805ia tube amp under $10K


Since all of you were such a huge help in getting me to arrive at my decision to get the Line Magnetic 805ia tube integrated, I thought I would start another thread to discuss speakers to consider. I do love my Ascend Acoustics but after hearing the improvement that the Line Magnetic gave my system, I am wondering now if there is a reasonably priced but a better speaker that is a better match for my system. The only criteria is that the price be equal to or less than $10k. I am looking for a speaker that is not harsh in the higher frequencies but still has enough sparkle and snap that doesn't give up anything in terms of detail. The ability to deliver some low end, dynamic punch is something that I would be looking for as well as this is the one area the Ascend's lack in currently. 

My current setup is...

Speakers: Ascend Acoustics Sierra Tower with RAAL Tweeters and Ascend Acoustics Center Speaker with RAAL Tweeter
Amp: Line Magnetic 805ia at 48W x 2
DAC: PS Audio Directstream Junior
Primary Music: Jazz and Female Vocals 

Speakers that I have considered so far include (power requirements notwithstanding):
  • Magico A3
  • Dynaudio Contour 60
  • Focal Sopra 2
  • Sonus Faber Olympica 3
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!
freesole

Showing 2 responses by ramtubes

I see others here have recommended you get efficient speakers. They are correct. 48 watts of single ended power is not the same as 48 watts of push pull power, tube or SS. 

I read the specs, looked at the manual and no where is the damping factor stated. It is often low with this type of amplifier. Read my posts on AG about the effects of low damping (high output impedance). 

This amp should draw a lot of power from the wall, at least 300 watts, but I could not find that information either.

The 805 is a zero bias triode and thus has high plate impedance. Unless they use a great deal of feedback the amplifier will have high output impedance.

Can someone find the output impedace of this amplifier?
I have no problem driving them with this amp, and 10:00 on the volume is getting pretty loud. And they sound fantastic.

Lets remember that the setting of a volume control's position has not bearing on how loud it is or how much louder it can get. You could be right under clipping or miles away. 

How many dB is pretty loud?