[TKonrad.NOLA]

I am a total newbie with this tube stuff.  I owned a Jolida FX10 for a short period but it isn't enough to drive my ACI Sapphire XLs.  I'm thinking about a Primaluna Prologue 2.  Anything other recommendations.  The Primaluna is $1599.  I would like to stay below that.

[Ericus Rex]

You could find a used Music Reference RM-9 Mk I in that range.  I find that amp to be a very good match for monitors.  And it's 100 watts/channel so the efficiency of your speakers shouldn't be an issue.  Look for one that's recently been looked over or updated by Roger himself.  Avoid those that haven't been serviced in the last few years or have been serviced by someone else.  That amp has a very unique circuit that's over the heads of most technicians I've met and they tend to muck things up inside.  It may take a while as they rarely come up for sale but your patience will be rewarded.

Best of luck!

[rollo]

  Why not look further into the Jolida line ? Choosing an amp for your speaker is not cut and dry. Finding a good syngery is the key. What type of character of sound would you think mates with the character of your speaker ? The load of the speaker plays a major role in selection as well. Now for 85 db at least 75W of tubed power should suffice.
 Have fun trying.

charles
SMA

[Audiovista]

Few very general comments: Speakers with low efficiency sometimes present very difficult load. It is critical (more than usually) to listen to the combination of the tube amp and low eff speaker. Even if the speaker is rated 8 ohms (not sure what the rating of your speaker is), it is probably better to drive it out of 4 ohm output. Defnitely try both 4 and 8 ohm outputs, if your target amp has them.

[h00hbt]

I am a total newbie with this tube stuff.  I owned a Jolida FX10 for a short period but it isn't enough to drive my ACI Sapphire XLs.  I'm thinking about a Primaluna Prologue 2.  Anything other recommendations.  The Primaluna is $1599.  I would like to stay below that.

The brand new KR VA900 PP KT120 will drive any speakers. Although it´s in a different pricerange than the amps mentioned above.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/KR-TUBE-AUDIO/113192315379581#!/photo.php?fbid=266574300041381&set=a.266574246708053.72305.113192315379581&type=1&theater

Cheers

[kip_]

How big is the room and are you using a subwoofer? If the room is on the small side and you are crossing over to a sub you can get by with 35-40wpc, in my opinion. How about a used Onix SP3.

[sebrof]

I dunno guys. I've always believed that some speakers were made for SS amps and some for tube amps, some do OK with either.
But 85db monitors scream "Give me a ss amp or give me death."
Have any of you guys had success with similar speakers with a tube amp?

[hibuckhobby]

I had great results with the Jaguar 2000's by ACI and an ARC 100wpc amp.   Never came close to clipping.  I think it depends more on listening habits and music choices.
YMMV,

[ltr317]

I dunno guys. I've always believed that some speakers were made for SS amps and some for tube amps, some do OK with either.
But 85db monitors scream "Give me a ss amp or give me death."
Have any of you guys had success with similar speakers with a tube amp?

The least efficient pair of speakers I own is the AAD 2001 monitors, which is 86 db at 8 ohms.  My listening room is 14 1/2 x 18 1/2 x 10 and my modified Jolida 302 with 50 tube watts is more than enough to drive the AADs to insane loud levels.  I would only get a more powerful tube amp for greater dynamics. 

[sebrof]

The least efficient pair of speakers I own is the AAD 2001 monitors, which is 86 db at 8 ohms.  My listening room is 14 1/2 x 18 1/2 x 10 and my modified Jolida 302 with 50 tube watts is more than enough to drive the AADs to insane loud levels.  I would only get a more powerful tube amp for greater dynamics.

I wasn't necessarily talking about efficiency in my earlier post. I drove a pair of Magnepan MG12s <86db with an unmodified Jolida 302b. While not 'more than enough' it was enough most of the time.
I was talking more about how the speaker was designed, expecting a SS amp vs. tube amp.

Power Paradigm
http://www.atma-sphere.com/Resources/Paradigms_in_Amplifier_Design.php

I wonder if the speakers you mention would have sounded better with a comparable SS amp.

[ltr317]

I wasn't necessarily talking about efficiency in my earlier post. I drove a pair of Magnepan MG12s <86db with an unmodified Jolida 302b. While not 'more than enough' it was enough most of the time.
I was talking more about how the speaker was designed, expecting a SS amp vs. tube amp.

Power Paradigm
http://www.atma-sphere.com/Resources/Paradigms_in_Amplifier_Design.php

I wonder if the speakers you mention would have sounded better with a comparable SS amp.

No, I have had several ss amps driving the AADs, including my McIntosh 2505.  None of the ss amps came close to the sound I was seeking.