tube amps and electrostatics

I recently changed from a highly rated 400 wpc @ 4 ohms solid state beast to 100 wpc (triode mode) Cary SLAM-100 monoblocks driving Martin Logan SL-3 hybrid electrostats. The sound with tubes is far superior at low, normal & loud listening levels. At VERY loud levels the SS was better. Ultimate bass extention was better with SS, but this is offset by a more realistic bass tone with the Cary's, particularly on strings. Sound stage, presence, musical realism, emotional impact - all far better with the tubes.

Dabble, I believe your amplifier would work well with most hybrids, but not necessarily with full range electrostatics. The reason is that full range electrostatics usually have a very high impedance in the bass, often over 50 ohms, and your amp would not put out much power into this load and so would clip prematurely. Electrostatics typically have a very low impedance at high frequencies, but with the CJ this shouldn't cause a significant frequency response anomaly. And remember there is relatively little energy up around 20 kHz, so the amp is not likely to clip as a consequence. I sell Sound Lab electrostatics, and they have a couple of hybrids that would work with your amp. I think the Martin Logan and Inner Sound hybrids would work well also. Avoid used Acoustats or Martin CLS's as they will give your amps a severe pain in the output stage. Historically Connie J. EL-34 based amps work well with Quad 63's (& USA Monitors), which are full range electrostats. I have a few reservations about these Quads, however, and personally prefer the Originals. But, I have no experience driving the Originals with EL-34 based amps, so while I think it would work I don't really know. I'd like to ask some specific questions that might help me make a more educated recommendation. Don't worry, I'm not going to push my product at you. I am one of you, not one of them. [email protected].

Just checked with two experienced sources. Your amp will work fine with Original Quads - use the 4-ohm tap.

With stats you have to be careful because the impedence curve varies a lot. You may have some trouble in the bass since some tubes cannot drive very low impedences. If you do not want to change your amp, which by the way is a very good one, you should try the Maggie 1.6. These are different from stats since they have a very flat 4 ohm impedence. I have the Maggie 3.6R and am driving them with OTL tubes with great success. The web site is www.magnepan.com.

I do not have experience with your amp, but I run my Martin-Logan Aerius i speakers with tubes by choice. I use 130W monoblocks and they made the Plinius SA250 (and several solid state others even more so) sound sick. A well constructed tube amp can sound much more lively than solid state amps provided you do not push them too hard. Friends with more experience of Martin-Logans believe tubes are preferable. If you are thinking of spending $2,500 on electrostatics then your musical tastes do probably not include playing drum and bass at 120dB, right? So what you lose by not using solid state will not be very important. If you are buying an electrostatic its probably because you want the transparency, purity, grainlessness, lack of cabinet resonance etc that the electrostatic can offer. Why spoil this with the electronic nature of solid state sound? You will probably just love the sound of your tubes when you hear them through some 'stats (preferably a hybrid for reasons stated in previous posts). The only problems you might encounter will occur because you want to play them louder than your amps can deliver. Try it.