2. amps-preamps
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compact tube amp and in wall speaker

I need help with matching up a compact tube amp like a jolida 102 crc with a set of in wall speakers like a Martin Logan electromotion iw. Goal is to obtain wife approval factor, cool look of tube amp in a new to be built floor to ceiling bookcase. Room size is 16' x 14' x 9'. Book case is on either side of a 8' opening to an adjacent room. Size and price of new jolida is good. Martin Logan is at high end of what I'd like to spend on speakers. Does tube amp have enough power to drive speakers for all types of music. Sound quality needs to be decent. I like music reality loud, but only when wife not at home. She will play at miderate levels. Other recommendations welcome. Thank you.
audiouny

Showing 4 responses by zd542

zd542
5,339 posts
 
Buy a really cool looking solid state amp instead. TUBES + BOOKCASE = FIRE.
zd542
5,339 posts
 
I could be mistaken, but I think he was talking about the ML's that use the ribbon tweeter.
zd542
5,339 posts
 
"The speakers will be built into the bookshelf with their own wood enclosure matching the shelving. I would also consider a compact bookshelf speaker but my max height is 11 inches and max depth 13 inches icluding cabling."

You need to do some experimenting. Putting a bookshelf speaker in a bookshelf will have a huge impact on how it sounds. I know that sounds silly, but the vast majority of bookshelf speakers were never meant to be put in a bookshelf. Maybe get a cheap pair of Pioneer or Polk from Best Buy just to see what you're getting into. You can always return them, or trade up to the ML in walls you first mentioned.
zd542
5,339 posts
 
"I would need to balance the cost of the zu''s with hopefully a less expensive amp because of their high efficiency, although I need to check impedance at lower frequency of zu's. "

Good thing you posted that. Its actually just the opposite. Even though you need less power, it has to be very clean. Also, you need to be careful with regards to the gain of all your other components. If not, you run the risk getting large amounts of noise/hissing.
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