Power Amp Suggestions

First off, if you like tubes, stay away from the Aragon. It will sound way too solid state. The Sumo is a possibility, tending to be a bit bright but with good detail, which should be good for the ET's. The tube preamp helps here. As for tube amps, ARC is probably the best bet. The Classic 60 will definitely be a Classic. It would offer good bass control and extension, as well as three dimensional midrange and clean, extended highs. The Cay SLA-70 will probably be too little. The ARC is rated at 60 watts, and the Cary at similar, but the Cary only has two tubes per output,while the ARC will have 4, giving a more rubust 60 watts. In the Cary line, the SLM-100 would be spectacular with the ET's. We are a Cary dealer, and currently have a pair of ET LFTVIII on trade in. The SLM-100's w/ 6550 output tubes in triode mode offer great three dimensionality and midrange timbres, yet control the bass, which is not an easy task on the ET's. The SLM-100's can also be switched to ultra linear, for more power, with a little sacrfice in midrange bloom. Overall, the SLM-100's might a bit pricey for the ET's ($4000 new, $2000 used), but they sure would make them sing.

Check out the McCormack DNA-1 deluxe for $2400. It's solid state and high power (185 watts).. very musical. I used this amp for a few years driving Thiel 2.2 with Sumiko ocos cables... great match. I sold it to my cousin who now uses it with martin logan SL3. I now have a all Naim active system... but that's another story...

At 83 db/watt your talking 60 watts RMS to go 100db (that's 600 watts peak) and unless you go into the Futterman's, there is only the ARC 150 or 350 if you can find one. Or you can forget tubes altogether in the amp stage and go with a really decent solid state unit. There's a lot of muscle out there for not much money, from Marantz to Sunfire.

At 83 db/watt your talking 60 watts RMS to go 100db (that's 600 watts peak) and unless you go into the Futterman's, there is only the ARC 150 or 350 if you can find one. Or you can forget tubes altogether in the amp stage and go with a really decent solid state unit. There's a lot of muscle out there for not much money, from Marantz to Sunfire.

Get ready for heresy. I recommend the Onkyo M504 with 165wpc into 8 ohms, and lots more into 4 or 2 ohms. It is an incredible amp at an incredible price: around $450 at jandr discounted. The catch is this. It is plain, old-fashion stereo without the gaggle.

I own a pair of ET LTV-VIIIs and matched them with an ARC Classic 60 and an ARC SP-9 MkII. This system presented the best soundstage (that "back lit" quality) with respect to depth that I have ever experienced from these speakers. I have an ARC LS5 MkII now and wish that I still had a Classic 60.

I would have to say the Aragon 4004 is the amp for driving spks like yours. Used to own a pair of smg maggies anf while not 83db they still like the current. My 4004 gave them everthing the asked for. Also had a audible illusions mod3. Enjoyed the sound very much. Tell me more about the NYAL.