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Speaker Recommendation for Tube Fan

Hi folks:
I'm a devoted tube fan that is currently using Magnapan 3.5r's driven by an all tube conrad johnson system (Premier 12's, 16LS Series 2, 15) along with a VPI Aries/JWM10/Benz Micro H20 vinyl setup. I'm just about ready to revert to dynamic speakers to capture the dynamic bloom and lack of a really deep bottom end not available from the 3.5r's (probably should be using solid-state, but like I said, I'm a tube person) in my room. What I am looking for are suggestions for speakers in the 5K price range that might mate well with my system. It's been a while since I have auditioned dynamic types, so I need a little help. My listening tastes include everything except country and rap (nuf said). The most important sonic qualities to me are a wide and stable image and a harmonically correct presentation.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and suggestions.
Jay
cjlundgren

Showing 1 response by atmasphere

atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
12,088 posts
 
Here is a simple recommendation. If you are investing in a tube amplifier, your investment dollar will be best served if you get a speaker that is at least 8 ohms, particularly in the bass region. 16 ohms is even better. All tube amps, regardless of technology (push-pull, SE triode, OTL, etc.) will show improved performance if used on higher impedance loads. Output transformers will have wider bandwidth (particularly in the bass region) and less hysterisis loss (which can be up to 20% in some designs).

As a result, all other things being equal, a tube amp will measure and sound better on an 8 ohm speaker as opposed to 4, and better yet on 16 ohms (providing a tap is available) as opposed to 8.

FWIW.
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