Will a tube amp work well on Revel f208?


Hi,
Two different stereo store salesmen both told me to use a tube integrated amp (primaluna evo 400, or Ayon V) on my Revel f208.  I live in an apartment, so I rarely listen at concert levels (rock,pop,80's,modern music,etc) ,  But due to that speaker's impedance swings, it's in the 4 ohm region a lot  and needs a 4 ohm capable amp.  I was told by someone else that the Revel f208 likes high current, (Which won't be found in a tube amp?).  I was considering something like Hegel or anthem integrated STR before the prima Luna evo 400  was recommended.  Can  Somebody with actual knowledge chime in so I am not at the mercy of salesman or misinformation?  The speakers are revel  f208 and I'd like to stick with an integrated and stream for simplicity (I have node 2i)Thanks!
128x128labguy

Showing 2 responses by millercarbon

Yeah, a lot of what passes for conventional wisdom turns out to be not all that.
Its not impedance, its sensitivity you want to pay attention to. And its not watts, its the amplifier. Sorry if that sounds vague but with tube amps its more the design and especially the transformers than the watts. Hard to believe until you hear a couple 50 watt tube amps play louder and with better bass than 200 watt ss amps. Do this enough times you start to realize watts are one of the most meaningless specs around.  

I'm not gonna do your work for you. If your speakers are around 90dB or higher the PL will have them singing. Raven Blackhawk even more so but that's your choice. If they are in the 80's, the lower into the 80's you go the harder it gets to find anything that will drive them. The higher into the 90's the easier. That is why sensitivity is the single most important speaker spec.