[ricardojoa]

I was looking through the specs of salk speakers and noticed that the veracity series are the ones that does not have any tube wattage recommedation. The song, soundscape,archos series all have tube wattage recommendatios, the pharos from the high sensitivity and hi impedance pretty much tells yout it should sound fabulous with tube, and the HTS is very unlikely that people will use tube. My questions is, are the veracity series not suitable for tube amps? Is there a phase and impedance plot that can be looked at? Im interested on the HT1TL, but if they arent suitable for tube, i might need to  consider the ST. Im looking for a tube sound 

[Big Red Machine]

No issues with tubes but I would be looking at as many watts as you could muster only from a headroom/dynamics stance (but I do that for every speaker no matter the efficiency).  The sensitivity of 85 at 8 ohms is hard to drive with a wimpy little amp but since the speaker does not have big woofers and deliver bass like a bigger 3 way you won't see the watts gobbled up.  I would think a 60 wpc or larger tube amp would work just fine. 

[avahifi]

I own and use both the Songtowers and HT2TLs and they both work just fine with our 35W/Ch Ultravalve pure vacuum tube amplifier. Its not a whimp at all Red. 

Actually my HT3s sound great with the Ultravalve amp too, just not at window rattling levels.

If in doubt, two Ultravalve amps bridged mono will run any of Jim's speakers very nicely indeed.

Regards,

Frank Van Alstine

[ricardojoa]

Hopefully Jim or Dennis will chime in.

[Sonix]

I own and use both the Songtowers and HT2TLs and they both work just fine with our 35W/Ch Ultravalve pure vacuum tube amplifier. Its not a whimp at all Red. 

Actually my HT3s sound great with the Ultravalve amp too, just not at window rattling levels.

If in doubt, two Ultravalve amps bridged mono will run any of Jim's speakers very nicely indeed.

Regards,

Frank Van Alstine

Was just wondering, for Jim's SS-10s, would I better served with an Ultra+ Double 550
or the two bridged Ultravalves? The preamp used would be the AvaStar.

And I won't worry about any windows rattling, since it will be a concrete man cave
home theater in 2 channel.

Regards,
Ken

[jsalk]

Ken -

Go with the 550...better woofer control.  The Ultravalve does a real nice job on the mids and high end.  But the SS's are tuned really low and the 550 provides the control required to keep the woofer under tight control.

- Jim

[Sonix]

Jim,

Thanks for your insight with the SS's and the 550.

I am really tempted just to go with this combination for
a dual purpose 2.0 music and movie theater.

I would really like to know if you have already tried listening to
movies this way with the SS's?

Frank's philosophy for playing movies in 2.0 sounds very tempting.
And I would think that the SS's might replace the need for a sub
and their immersive soundstage could work in lieu of a center and
surround speakers.

Anyways I could always add on later if not happy.

But I am thinking that the KISS method just might work well in this scenario.

I look forward to your impressions.

-Ken

[coke]

Jim,

Thanks for your insight with the SS's and the 550.

I am really tempted just to go with this combination for
a dual purpose 2.0 music and movie theater.

I would really like to know if you have already tried listening to
movies this way with the SS's?

Frank's philosophy for playing movies in 2.0 sounds very tempting.
And I would think that the SS's might replace the need for a sub
and their immersive soundstage could work in lieu of a center and
surround speakers.

Anyways I could always add on later if not happy.

But I am thinking that the KISS method just might work well in this scenario.

I look forward to your impressions.

-Ken

I've been using my HT2-TLs in 2.0 for home theater.  They have a wonderful center image, and decent bass for movies. 

For the speakers you're considering though, I think a 2.1 system might be the way to go.

[ricardojoa]

Ken -

Go with the 550...better woofer control.  The Ultravalve does a real nice job on the mids and high end.  But the SS's are tuned really low and the 550 provides the control required to keep the woofer under tight control.

- Jim

Jim,
Do you have any words for my original post?
Thanks

[DMurphy]

I've been using my HT2-TLs in 2.0 for home theater.  They have a wonderful center image, and decent bass for movies. 

For the speakers you're considering though, I think a 2.1 system might be the way to go.

I'm not sure why anyone would need separte subs for the SS.  They're already good to below 20 Hz (unless you meant the .1 to refer to a center channel).

[jsalk]

I was looking through the specs of salk speakers and noticed that the veracity series are the ones that does not have any tube wattage recommedation. The song, soundscape,archos series all have tube wattage recommendatios, the pharos from the high sensitivity and hi impedance pretty much tells yout it should sound fabulous with tube, and the HTS is very unlikely that people will use tube. My questions is, are the veracity series not suitable for tube amps? Is there a phase and impedance plot that can be looked at? Im interested on the HT1TL, but if they arent suitable for tube, i might need to  consider the ST. Im looking for a tube sound 

First, there is no particular reason tube wattage specs are not listed for the Veracity series speakers.

I have used tube amplification with HT1's in the past with no problem.  The answer to your question depends mainly on how many tube watts you have at your disposal.  I had good luck with 40 watts per channel and would imagine the AVA UltraValve at 35 per channel would work as well.

If we were talking about the HT3, that would probably be a different story as solid state would provide tighter control over the woofer.  And, of course, the HT2's were be much easier to drive since they are more sensitive.

But I don't see any reason you can't use a tube amp with the HT1's.  I have done it in the past and was quite happy with the results.

- Jim

[revrob]

I have the HT3 and would not recommend tubes. They love watts and the more you throw at them the better. SS is definetely is the way to go with these beauties.

[zybar]

I'm not sure why anyone would need separte subs for the SS.  They're already good to below 20 Hz (unless you meant the .1 to refer to a center channel).

Dennis,

For HT, adding a quality sub (or two or three) is always good.

While I am sure that the SS speakers are excellent and produce down below 20Hz, having dedicated, purpose built sub(s) is something that really adds to the experience.

George

[ricardojoa]

First, there is no particular reason tube wattage specs are not listed for the Veracity series speakers.

I have used tube amplification with HT1's in the past with no problem.  The answer to your question depends mainly on how many tube watts you have at your disposal.  I had good luck with 40 watts per channel and would imagine the AVA UltraValve at 35 per channel would work as well.

If we were talking about the HT3, that would probably be a different story as solid state would provide tighter control over the woofer.  And, of course, the HT2's were be much easier to drive since they are more sensitive.

But I don't see any reason you can't use a tube amp with the HT1's.  I have done it in the past and was quite happy with the results.

- Jim

Thanks Jim,
I am not sure if we are looking at the same veracity page, but i really dont see tube watts recommendation listed. Since
So what's the recommended tube watts for the HT1TL? I see 100-250 recommended amplifications. Does that imply to tube watts as well? I know that the HT1TL are 8 ohm. Do they dip alot down low  or are they pretty stable? Do you have a phase/impedance plot like you have for the Songtowers?
Sorry for so many questions, just showing my interests.
Thanks again.

[coke]

I'm not sure why anyone would need separte subs for the SS.  They're already good to below 20 Hz (unless you meant the .1 to refer to a center channel).

My mistake. I mixed up the person I was replying to with the original poster.

Dennis,

For HT, adding a quality sub (or two or three) is always good.

While I am sure that the SS speakers are excellent and produce down below 20Hz, having dedicated, purpose built sub(s) is something that really adds to the experience.

George

x2    This is especially true when exaggerated bass for explosions in movies is desired.