[jonroberts]

Hey Everyone,

I recently decided to enter the world of Tubes. My budget is a bit tight - I'm mainly considering the Rogue Audio Cronus and now after reading here the Eastern Electric M88 or M520. For the time being this would end up for an office system with a Rega RP3. Unfortunately in order to afford the Amp now I'll end up skimping on the phono pre for the time being if I go with the Eastern Electric (likely a pro-ject phono preamp) or using the built in MM pre on the Rogue. What am I looking for is bookshelf/monitor speakers that would be effecient enough. Wondering what those of you that own those units are pairing them up with. Looking to keep the speakers around $1k. So far my leading candidate has been the Zu Omen bookshelves. Ideally this is a system I'd be building on over time as in the past I've been an entry - mid level solid state fan.

Thanks,

Jon

[Ericus Rex]

I've heard the Cronus with Nola Boxers and thought the combination was pretty good.  Nola now makes the Contender which is getting good press though I haven't yet heard the model.  Also heard the Cronus with Meadowlark Shearwaters (under $1k these days used) and also though the sound was very good, but very different from the Boxers, as well.

BTW, if you're patient you can probably find a used Rogue Tempest I or II (possibly even Magnum version) with tubed phono section for around $1,200.  The Cronus gets all the press but I feel the Tempest is the far better integrated.

[radarnyc]

You'll probably want to explore widebander / fullrange speakers. Try http://www.hoytbedfordspeakers.com/ or http://omegaloudspeakers.com/. Both are made by the same guy (Louis) in Connecticut and offer great value (esp. the HBs).

[OzarkTom]

Check out the new Gallo Classico's that came out last month. There are no crossovers to drain the power of tube or solid state amps. These new speakers are a giant killer, you won't believe your ears. 6moons gave the Classico III's a blue moon award for 2011. They have electostatic quality in a small box, yet will out image any electrostatic speaker ever made. If you like to hear vocals, this is as good as you can get.

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/gallo11/1.html

I am using the iii's with the 25 watt Jolida tube integrated.

[Austin08]

I used to have a pair of Triangle Titus. It paired nicely with the Cronus.

[jonroberts]

Thanks for the replies. I'm checking out all the speaker suggestions now. I'm kind of torn between the M88 and the Cronus - the M88 looks fantastic for it's price and I've heard nothing but good things about Morningstar Audio. The Gallo's look nice but are a little more than I'd like to spend for now on the speakers - the hoyt bedford's look interesting. I may just order the amp I decide on and take it over to a friends that has quite a few speakers lying around, see how it does driving various models with different sensitivities.

Thanks,

Jon

[Ericus Rex]

You don't need to worry the efficiency of speakers with the Cronus (esp. the Cro-Magnum or the Tempest).  It will drive everything with the possible exception of panels.  You'll get VERY LOUD sound even from 85db speakers.  This should expand your options considerably.

[OzarkTom]

One solid state integrated that beats a lot of tube anps is the Dayen Ampino for $799, with the Clarity caps. This one actually is more detailed, quicker, and more dynamic than tubes in it's price range. It still retains all the magic that you hear from tubes.

[rpf]

You don't need to worry the efficiency of speakers with the Cronus (esp. the Cro-Magnum or the Tempest).  It will drive everything with the possible exception of panels.  You'll get VERY LOUD sound even from 85db speakers.  This should expand your options considerably.

I have to disagree with Eric about the regular Cronus driving 85db speakers adequately. It lacked dynamic range with my 87db speakers. Upgrading to the Magnum did, however, provided more than enough power and grunt and I'm very happy with it.

[Ericus Rex]

I guess I wasn't too clear about what I meant in my post.  The op had stated he was looking for efficient speakers which implied he was concerned that the Cronus's wattage wouldn't be adequate for inefficient speakers.  This is not the case.  50 tube watts will Krank!  As for the differences between the standard and Magnum Cronus, I would expect that sort of difference you describe with any speaker regardless of efficiency.  The upgraded parts, power supply, tubes and, to a lesser extent, wattage of the Magnum should sound more dynamic than the standard.  It wouldn't be worth the upgrade money if it didn't sound better.  But I think that improvement had nothing to do with the efficiency of your speakers.  Sorry I wasn't clearer before.

[jonroberts]

I just ordered an Eastern Electric M88 from Bill at Morningstar Audio. I'll let you all know what I end up pairing it up with once it gets here and I start listening to some speakers.

- Jon

[jonroberts]

As an update: I've got the M88, Cambridge Audio Azur 540P phono stage and an RP1 with Wharfdale Diamond 10.2's setup upstairs. Sounds fantastic. Really impressed with the Eastern Electric Integrated - look forward to trying some different tubes out in it. For their price, the new Wharfdale's are a steal. I've compared them directly with some B&W DM601 v3's and HSU HB1-MKII I have around the house and they (to my ears) sound far better than either of the other speakers.







The dealer I bought the speakers from owns an Eastern Electric Phono Stage - looking forward to hearing that after being so impressed with the quality of the M88. Their DAC is on my short list as well as I need a way to hook my laptop up to the M88 now.

- Jon