High Sensitivity Speakers that work best with SS


In general, most all "high sensitivity" speakers I have heard or read about seem to do best with tube amps. Is that pretty much always the case? Anyone have experience with any "high sensitivity" speakers that in general work or sound better with SS amps than tube amps ?
128x128mapman

Showing 1 response by thom_at_galibier_design

Greetings all,

I was pointed to this thread and the reference to our room at the 2011 Audiofest.

One thing has become clear to me is that the Daedalus speakers will mirror what you throw at them.

Having had extensive experience with the Atma-sphere MA-60's and the 1 watt Serious Stereo amps driving them, I can honestly say that both amplifiers serve the speakers well, albeit slightly differently.

One watt 'll do ya, if you don't have a huge room and don't listen to death metal or Wagner at "proper" volumes.

At the other extreme, there's the absolute control you get from 200 watts of s-s, but depending on the amp, you may give up some of the harmonic envelope that we perceive as tone color.

Ya pays yer money and ya takes yer choice. Nothing new here.

I've always been a tube guy and so my leanings are toward the Serious and the Atma-spheres. Having said that, the ModWright designs convey the musical sensibility of a designer who knows what real music sounds like. They get the harmonic envelope right, and I can easily understand why they are Lou's amplifier of choice.

At the Newport show 2 years ago a friend dropped after hours, and brought with him a Who album. He wanted to see how close to concert volumes we could get with the ModWrights driving the Daedalus. Well, I put my 25dB musician's earplugs and we let 'er rip ...

The Deadalus' didn't flinch.

You see ... both Lou (Daedalus) and Ralph (Atma-sphere) come from a pro-sound background where two key parameters to be met are high sensitivity AND power handling (in speakers), and of course, reliability.

I find myself gravitating to guys with this philosophy - especially the sensitivity and reliability part. Same thing goes for Duke, for whom I have the utmost respect.

So, unlike many speakers, your amplifier choices for Deadalus are limited by your imagination. How often can you say that about a hi-fi component?

Disclaimer ... I know and like all the folks referenced above.

Cheers,
Thom @ Galibier