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Using tube amp with electrostatic speakers.

Moons ago I started similar discussions and thought I had been given enough good advice not to approach the subject again. Here goes anyway. I've used Martin Logan electrostats for well over 30 years with quite a few different amps but have recently switched to a tube amp and dynamic speakers with which I am very satisfied.  It consists of the Cary Rocket 88R amp and Serie Reference 3 speakers. 

My brother was visiting last week and was so impressed with the sound that he decided that he might want to try a tube amp also (probably the same one as mine).  However, he is using a pair of SL3's that I gave him years ago and I'm concerned primarily about the current requirements of the Martin Logans as well as other concerns that I'm not thinking of.  I don't want him spending money on something that may not bring him improved sound so would appreciate more advice to pass on to him.  He currently uses a Rogue Audio SS amp with his SL3 speakers and, to me, it sounds very good. 
jimbreit

Showing 2 responses by audioman58

audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,306 posts
 
Electrostatics love current .much more then Voltage as with a Tube amp.
put a Pass Labs 250.5 , Big Krell, or  Coda  amplifier and you will get tighter bass ,better dynamics and control
as well as speed. Even Maggie love power,Soundlabs for sure.
audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,306 posts
 
Having owned every kind of magnetic - Maggie type, ribbon ,ML, and 
Sound labs. The size also of the panel has a lot to do with demands.
by far these panels are far better controlled with the High Current of a Solid State
Amplifier, where Vacuum tubes are Voltage driven .Current is what you need 
to get ultimate control ,with a Vacuum tube preamp  you can still have the sonic signature  you want. I have used 100wpc tube smps with them but dynamics suffer say compared to a Pass labs 350 power amp.
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