[maplegrovemusic]

What specs should one look for when choosing tube amps for electrostats ? I own King Sound King v1 speakers . On king sounds website they sell a 80 watt tube amps to accompany the king model . Now I assume I cannot just get any old 80 watt tube amp to drive my speakers . There must be something I need to try and duplicate . Their amp is out of my price range and I am not even aware if there is a u.s. distributor for the king amps . Crazy spendy anyways . My budget on the used market is around $2500 . Solid state class A I know can drive them . 60 watts will do it in my room . Never owned any tube amps so have no idea what to look for . Are class A tube amps similar to solid state class A . Thanks for reading and all comments welcome .

[sfox7076]

You won't find anything close to a 60 watt class A tube amp unless you use pretty big pentodes in a Class A push-pull (KT66, KT88, KT120 or KT150) or a bunch of tubes in parallel.  I think KT120 or KT150 will be your only options here if you want Class A because you will need massive plate dissipation. Not a ton of cheaper amps for you to run here. Are you opposed to AB operation in a tube amp? 

[maplegrovemusic]

Hello , I am not opposed to ab . So tube class a is different than solid state. Just needs to be able to power a electrostatic . dips below 2 ohs in treble .

[Mike B.]

The Quicksilver Silver Mono amps from the 1990's had transformers with 8, 4 and 2 ohm outs. I assume for ribbon full range speakers.

[SwamisCat]

PS Audio's new BHK amps have tube input and solid state output. I am currently testing the 300 W  monoblocks with Maggies and they sound sensational -- extremely relaxed and smooth, but with plenty of bass. Expensive though at $15 K. 

[a.wayne]

Hello Swamis Cat,

Very interested in hearing your comments about the new BHK amplifier ....

[pehare]

Music Reference RM200 MkI or II would be perfect IMO.  Power goes up as impedance goes down.

[maplegrovemusic]

pehare : Great suggestion . Forgot about them ! Like that those were the Stereophile reviewers reference for over ten years.

[twitch54]

it's not just the impedance drop in the treble region one needs to be concerned with, electrostatics present a very 'capacitive' load to ones amp(s) so in choosing amplification ……….. current, stability and wide bandwidth all play a role. The biggest problem with lesser tube amps is stable / wide bandwidth issue and how it effects the treble roll-off.

Also keep in mind when selecting an amp you should be aware of your speaker cable specs so as to minimize capacitance per foot.

FWIW, I drive my stats (M/L Hybrid 'Spires') with a pair of Rogue M-180 monoblocks …………. couldn't be happier !

[maplegrovemusic]

it's not just the impedance drop in the treble region one needs to be concerned with, electrostatics present a very 'capacitive' load to ones amp(s) so in choosing amplification ……….. current, stability and wide bandwidth all play a role. The biggest problem with lesser tube amps is stable / wide bandwidth issue and how it effects the treble roll-off.

Also keep in mind when selecting an amp you should be aware of your speaker cable specs so as to minimize capacitance per foot.

FWIW, I drive my stats (M/L Hybrid 'Spires') with a pair of Rogue M-180 monoblocks …………. couldn't be happier !

Rogue is a brand i just assumed would not work because i seen their ratings only into 8 and 4 ohms . Somehow King Sound has designed a 80 watt amp to pair with their speakers ?

[Minn Mark]

Look at Audio by VanAlstine 400R or 600R. Best of both worlds, tube front end and SS reliable power into low impedance loads.  I use an all SS AVA amp with Maggie 3.6R's bi-wired with excellent results.  Very revealing, but not harsh unless the recording is a poor one.  Wide, deep soundstage. More then enough power (225W@ 8ohms).

Best regards,

Mark

[maplegrovemusic]

Look at Audio by VanAlstine 400R or 600R. Best of both worlds, tube front end and SS reliable power into low impedance loads.  I use an all SS AVA amp with Maggie 3.6R's bi-wired with excellent results.  Very revealing, but not harsh unless the recording is a poor one.  Wide, deep soundstage. More then enough power (225W@ 8ohms).

Best regards,

Mark

Looking for straight tubes for now . Already have a satisfactory solid state amp . I just purchased the Zero former from Paul Speltz . Hopes this makes whatever tube amp i get work better ? we shall see . Anyone here use one of those ?

[Freo-1]

VTL made some higher powered tube amps that would fit the bill.  I had Acoustat Spectra 33's for YEARS.  They needed watts, but watts with sufficient current.  I used a Audio Research D115II with them, and they worked well together. 

[SteveFord]

I can't speak for King Sound speakers but I'm very happy with VTLs paired up with Magnepans.
I think they'd have enough power to work out well for you.

[louie3]

I used the Zero Autoformers with my tube amps and Maggies( hotrod SMGc..."homegunned") to good effect.   When I bought my Quad 63s I sold the autoformers too quickly, big mistake I suspect.   

Very audible improvement with the tube amps and Maggies.   Wish I had kept them a little longer for the Quads.

[twitch54]

Rogue is a brand i just assumed would not work because i seen their ratings only into 8 and 4 ohms .

Never assume …………… Rogue makes incredible products and at price points that is tough to beat. My M-180 mono blocks easily perform well beyond their price. They do a superb job on my Logan Spires and yes I'm well aware they are a 'hybrid' electrostatic speaker.