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Best tube amp for electrostatic speakers

For over 35 years I've almost exclusively used either ribbons or electrostats with solid state amplification and have been generally happy with the sound. Over the last several years, though, my hearing has become somewhat degraded and more sensitive to certain frequencies. The frequencies which seem to cause the most discomfort occur in the 1400 to 1900Hz range and come across as "bright" to my hearing. After researching this matter and having been given some expert advice, I've decided to pursue the idea of replacing my present amplification equipment with tube based gear.

The purpose of this post, then, is to solicit advice regarding the best approach to making this decision based on the following information: the current basic equipment is Shanling Solid state CD player, Peachtree Audio Nova used as preamp, two DBX 1531 EQ's to help compensate for age related hearing loss, Peachtree 220 amp, Silversonic T114 cable and Martin Logan Ethos speakers.

The listening area is our living room measuring 15 by 22 feet with my listening position 16 feet from the plane of the 2 speakers which are positioned 11 feet apart measured center to center. Located between the 2 speakers is an entertainment center which is about 9 feet wide. My listening interests are varied from solo guitar and light jazz to occasional orchestral music. I don't generally listen at high volumes and am not particularly interested in strong bass except for the rare action movie background.

Unless not advisable for some reason, I would like to keep the Peachtree Nova as a preamp because of the significant latitude for source connection and what seems to have a decent internal DAC. If this option would substantially defeat the purpose of the intended modification I would work around it. I can no longer deal with sounds that are "bright" which I now find uncomfortable but detailed sound is very important.

So, the questions are: is the move to tubes the best option and, if so, what might be some reasonably priced amps that could accomplish the goal. This, of course, would take into consideration room size, etc. for determining power requirements. If there are other more practical and less expensive options to consider, I would appreciate that advice as well.
128x128broadstone
broadstone's avatar
broadstone OP
310 posts
 
I may have started this thread under the false pretext that I have a strong desire to switch from solid state when what I really needed was help with certain specific issues thinking that tubes may be an appropriate path toward that goal. What I'm learning from the resulting discussions, especially in consideration of the range of opinions from experts regarding how best to use tube amplication with ESL's, is that my most practical choice is to stay with solid state.

Although my system may not be "state of the art" as was pointed out early on this thread, it is one of the best sounding setups I've had in my home for over 50 years so I'm generally pretty happy. For these other concerns I'm going to reinstall DAC's at my two primary sources, play around some more with the equalizers and worry about upgrading amplification later.
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,887 posts
 
Zd,

Well, there you go then. I don't doubt it can be done with the right amp and sound very good. I'll keep my eyes open for a chance to hear ML and tube amps myself.
chuckie
73 posts
 
Hello Broadstone
I own NAT SE2SE 211 tube amps and personally these have been an incredible match for my Soundlabs. I feel like screaming from my rooftop how lucky I feel to have FINALLY found the amp that for me makes my babies sing. Now this did not happen overnight. I have owned my Soundlabs since 1999 with no modifications,no new panels and no updated backplate and I can tell you if you get the"right" amp,power cords,interconnects or whatever to make electrostatic speakers sing you won't listen critically anymore. It takes time and it make not happen very soon but don't give up. I really don't think many who own electrostatic speakers have really heard what they can do if "everything" is right. In other words, they just "settle" for the so-called best big name instead of trying to get them to sing correctly. I passionate about my babies because I am transported to another realm. I am not here often because I am "listening" no need to buy anything else or debate.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,633 posts
 
Chuckie, do you have the new backpanels for your Sound Labs? They make the speaker easier to drive and better sounding with all amplifiers.
zd542
5,339 posts
 
"01-22-15: Mapman
Zd,

Well, there you go then. I don't doubt it can be done with the right amp and sound very good. I'll keep my eyes open for a chance to hear ML and tube amps myself."

OK, but how? If the OP can't listen to live acoustical instruments like a piano, what can be done? At first, we thought the problem may be an issue of timbre. Obviously, that can't be the case because you can't get better timbre than the actual instrument itself. And as a general rule, high end audio strives to reproduce that piano as accurately as possible.

Just to be clear, my last post on using tube amps with ML speakers was just to give actual examples that not only is it possible, I've seen ML themselves do it. I'm not saying tubes are the answer here. Given the type of problem the OP has, all the amps I can think of that may somehow address the issue are all solid state. For me personally, I approach a problem by focusing on the end results needed. I love tube gear, but I won't buy something just because it uses tubes. It has to be the right solution, or you just make the problem bigger.

So, going back to the problem at hand, what is the end result that we are looking for here? That's where I'm at a loss. If we don't know where we need to end up, and if its achievable, I don't see how we can fix anything. But that's just me. There's a lot of smart people here, so I'm hoping to be proven wrong.
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