Tube Integrated Amp to Drive Floorstanding Speakers?


forgive me, but i'm a relative newbie to audiophile concepts.  i am looking to build a 2 channel system for music that i can grow with.  currently i have a VPI Prime, Soundsmith MKIII cart.   I'm using a vintage kenwood KA-9100 driving Elac Uni F bookshelf speakers for my office.   

in the future, i plan on a listening room of 15x20, give or take.    I am intrigued by integrated tube amps - looking at all sorts, including PrimaLuna, VPI 299d, etc.   but these amps have lower WPC outputs.   I'd like to grow into a floorstanding set, something like the Monitor Gold, KEF R-series or PBS Imagine T3 range.    My tastes range from Classical to Classic Rock.   i do not blast music by any means.    Is an integrated tube amp (35-40 wpc) sufficient and will it leave room to grow?   ideally i'd like a home threater bypass should i decide to add TV that into the mix
mjb87062017

Showing 2 responses by soundermn

mjb, I can share my experience.  I have B&W 803N speakers, which have 89db sensitivity (I think), and are known to be "difficult to drive" and not "tube friendly".  I had a Primaluna Dialogue One Integrated Amp (38wpc) running them for three years.  A fellow forum member who lives near me came by one day.  He was astounded at how smooth and natural they sounded together.  I was very happy with the synergy, and I think they worked very well as a system.  So, I say poo-poo to those who say that towers have to be sensitive to work with tubes.  Maybe some tube amps... but not the PL.

From there, I liked the PL so much that I upgraded to the Dialogue Premium HP Integrated Amp.  Double the power, double the fun.  I love it, and people who come by to hear it agree.  It's great.  

So, to answer your original question, a Primaluna tube amp will run your tower speakers just fine.  I agree that you want to make sure the speakers and amp work well together, and you can determine this by taking your speakers to the store (I did), or by getting an in-home demo of the integrated amp.  Either way is a good thing to do so you can be more sure.  

And, further, yes, it will give you room to grow.  I upgraded from KT88 to KT120 in my Dialogue One, and later moved to the more powerful PL HP.  In that one, I upgraded from the stock EL34 to KT120s, and will soon move to KT150.  Plenty of room to grow.  In fact, much more room to grow than with any SS equipment I've owned.  All of these changes made my system incrementally better, without having to sell an expensive piece of gear to buy something else expensive.

WRT to the Primaluna, I have been on this journey for about 10 years now, and have been through several amps, preamps, and integrated amps.  I was very happy with the D-One, but got the bug to move up.  The PL HP is a definite keeper.  It's been a year and a half, and while I could consider other speakers, I see no reason to trade this integrated amp, ever.

Hope that's helpful.
mjb, one other thing I’d say. I have used both the KT120s and the EL34s in my PL HP. After using them for a while, I moved back to the EL34s from the KT120s. The reason is that I notice a certain midrange "glare" that's most noticable on vocals with the KT120s that I don’t hear with the EL34s. Yes, the bass is better, and extension is better with the KT120s. But, I can’t seem to get past the midrange glare. The EL34s don’t have this at all. The overall sound is a bit smoother and more pleasant.

So, that’s why I plan to move to the KT150s. From what I’ve read, they seem to be closer to the EL34 sound balance with the KT120 sparkle and punch, but without that glare. We will see, soon as I scrape my pennies together.

One other thing I forgot to mention. My listening area is about 13x13. But one wall is open to a large room, approx 30x25. So, it’s sort of an L-shaped room, with the side area set up for more critical listening. But, in the larger room, it’s plenty loud, very clear, and overall plenty of power for the space. Sounds great, and everyone loves the PL and B&W match.