2. amps-preamps
  3. 146095-78654

Looking for great tube integrated for Martin Logan Summit X speakers

I've had upgrade fever every since I added bass traps and acoustic panels to my listening room and wondered why I didn't do that years ago.  So I've decided to change my Plinius Hautonga integrated and make the plunge to tubes. I want that sound, and the thought of tube rolling appeals to me.  I was leaning toward the Primaluna Dialogue HP integrated, but after doing more reading, I'm concerned that it won't have adequate power due to the Summit's impedance needs.  I'm admittedly a novice with tubes, so seeking help from the forum.   My room is about 12x15, with the area behind my listening position open for an additional eight feet.  I don't listen at high volumes at all, and my favorite music is female jazz, smooth jazz, Nora Jones type vocals.  Music comes from SACDs and Tidal exclusively - I have no analogue gear.

The rest of my gear:
  • Gustard x20u DAC modified by Rick Schultz
  • Oppo 103D for SACDs modified by Rick Schultz
  • Bryston BDP-1 music streamer
Will I be happy with the Primaluna, or do you have other suggestions in the $5,000 range?  Or should I stay away from tubes for these speakers?

Appreciate your opinions!

Steve
smills59
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 

It's very odd you've singled out sacd as a culprit of the sibilance, if anything I have found sacd and dsd (sacd with the flag) too mellow in that area and un-naturally smooth. with non of the  excitement and drive that RedBook PCM has got.
And then also you said the Sanders amp reduced the sibilance. 

Cheers George
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
as long of an output impedance as possible.
"as low of an output impedance as possible."
Spelling correction for  astelmaszek
Chers George 
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,225 posts
 
I'll echo a few other posts. I have been using electrostatic speakers since 1978. Tube amps just do not cut it with this type of speaker even if you cross over to a woofer or subwoofer. The impedance drops with increasing frequency and they are essentially capacitors  throwing voltage back at the amp. High power transistor amps just handle this better mostly because of their ability to control heat / handle current. If you want tube sound go with any Pass or Curl design. I think they are the best at making solid state sound like tubes. Parasound may have a reasonably priced one as might Pass labs. 
If you have to go with Tubes use the low impedance tap.
Sanders Sound Systems has a great white paper on this topic posted on his web site.
More to discover