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Do Tube Amps go better with QUAD 2805's Speakers??

I'm very happy with a pair of QUAD 2805's which I bought new about 1yr ago. I've been using a VTL 5.5 Preamp w/phono,
LP12, Zeta Arm, BlackBird, Ayre 7E CD, VTL 225 Deluxe Monoblocks converted to 6550c's w.shunyata Tiapan helix PC's,Diamond Racing cones on Solid Steel ampstands, Nordost Heimdall speaker cables. Also a Janus 15" Sub. I'm looking to get even more clarity, presence, and deeper, natural soundstage.
SO, I'm wondering that given that the Quads are much more effecient than my previous speakers; how much of a pickup woild I get changing to say the VTL 185 monoblocks in Triode mode which put out 100 Superclean watts? I understand the new signture transformers are Much faster and improved. With the overall new technolgy far superior to my Deluxe 225's Watts in tetrode.
Also, Have you found that tubes go better with Quads?
I also admit the list price of 12K for the new amps + new 9 mtr Balanced interconnects is a tad more than I was looking to spend, but willing to save my sheckels for awhile. I appricate any feedback form the Audiogon Communitity.
Thanks!

blue_strat
hifigeek1
770 posts
 
Electrostats don't require a lot of current to drive them, unlike dynamic speakers. They prefer voltage amplifiers like most tube amps. My guess is any good sounding 50-60W tube amp would work great. I fixed Quads for many years and most of the problems I saw were due to people using high powered solid state amps to drive them with. A really bad idea.
tubegroover
2,320 posts
 
I have a friend with the 2805's that he recently purchased new. He is currently using a push/pull tube amp of his own design using EL34 outputs with excellent results. I would definitely consider an OTL with these speakers. I own a Berning ZH270 which I have heard driving ESL 63's with stellar results. We plan in the near future trying the Berning with his speakers. I expect very good things. The Berning is rated at 70 watts. If you check the archives there is another owner of these speakers using the zh270 as well.
narra2000
2 posts
 
I wonder if anyone has any experience with other OTL amps: Graaf or Einstein and any word on their reliability and availability of service in the US? Also, the Quad II Forty and Quad II Eighty are supposed to be excellent but have not heard them with the 63, 988 or 2805. I also heard rumors that the new Moscode is very good with the Quads as well. I have never really liked solid state amps with ESLs, especially the Quads but has anybody has a different experience. Would appreciate hearing from anyone who may have experiences with these
bifwynne
2,206 posts
 
Hifigeek (Gary) -- As you may recall, I own an ARC VS--115 (w/KT-120 tubes). Would the VS-115 match well with the Quads? Also, how loud can they be safely driven? Some music like Classical has a varying dynamic range, possibly as much as 20-25db. For example, Tchaikovsky's 4th Symphony, 4th movement.

Thanks Bruce
hifigeek1
770 posts
 
Bruce, that may be too much power although I am lass familiar with the newer Quad speakers. In the past I worked on the 63's and the 57's. With the 63's 100W was overkill. If you overdrive the speaker the clamp circuit shuts them down for a few seconds. Problem is, if you continue to force the speaker to clamp you will burn the clamp circuit out and then the speaker won't protect itself. I don't know if the new Quads are any different circuit wise.
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