thanks everone for very helpful insight into the problems with the MARTINLOGAN CLS11Z speaker. as i lose sleep over this dilemma, i have concluded from all these responces the following. i definitely want hybrid, best of both worlds in the power source ,so that leaves out the KRELL. BLUE CIRCLE HYBRID line seems of interest,however if you go to PATHOS webpage and call one of the 3 dealers for PATHOS you may conclude that this italian engineer at pathos really knows his stuff. i know BAT & CLASSE are of excellent design.but i am looking for something really special, probably this is my last amp i will buy. through the grapevive i have heard that PATHOS is revealing their new CLASSIC ONE more power for the same price($2000),as well a new model TT$4500(not known as TWINTOWERS anymore)which can now handle the rigors of rock&roll. the $5500 TT will remain as well. so i will forgo the celestial sounding CLS11Z and settle for (the upgraded MARTINLOGAN AERIUS) the october release of the ASSENT($4300) a nice step up from the AEON$3000).later on i will take TRAVIS and LIGI's advice and work in a REL STORM 111. GASMAN ,i will research this ESL amp you mention. AUDIBLEGUY , thanks for your comments, even BRYSTON 7B MONOS!!! struck out!. so if i went in big debt.. the combo would be PATHOS TT (OR MONOS)+ CLS11Z +REL SUB. but the desire to keep a happy home overrides this path. i'll settle for the new CLASSIC ONE + ASSENT + GRANITE CDP, hard to order this upgraded 650 model, now has tube, can be bypassed with flip of switch to solid state!! i've been told, AWESOME SOUND! thanks paul
Martin Logan CLS 11Z speakers + which power amp?
just listened to MARTIN LOGAN ASCENT($4300) and the AEON($3000). no doubt the best allround sound nothing even comes close. however i have heard that the CLS11Z are even better except in the bass. i listen to classical so i do not need big bass. problem is that one needs lots of power to drive them. i plan to buy the PATHOS CLASSIC ONE($2000+), it is reported to be the best of both worlds tube + solid state. do i need the PATHOS TWIN TOWERS($5000+)to drive the CLS11Z($4500). if so maybe i should go with the ASCENT+CLASSIC ONE (and with the savings pick up a CARY 303/200 or CARY 306/200. if not the PATHOS can someone make a suggestion on a amp.(not all tube and under $3000, used ok)? thanks , paul