khenegar
Well-known member
Is a 70watt tube power amp enough power for the summit loudspeaker? Also ok for home theater use? Thanks
70 watts/summits
- Thread starter khenegar
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The answer is a qualified 'yes'. Qualified because if the alleged 70 watts is coming from a low rent Chinese knock-off, then you're going to be very disappointed. Good tube sound costs lots of $$$.
I run my Montis speakers with 50 watt per channel mono bloc tube amplifiers. I have never hit the wall with these amplifiers. Other members use Rogue Audio tube amps, Audio Research and such like. As far as Chinese built amplifiers go, I have heard the better Prima Luna tube amplifiers have successfully run Martin Logan's with very little high frequency rolloff.
If you're going to use the amplifier a lot for home theatre, tube amps tend to be expensive to run. With some amps, you're lucky to get 2000 hours before you need to change the tubes. Have you considered a really good solid state amp like a Pass Labs X150.5? This amp plus Summit speakers are a match made in heaven.
I run my Montis speakers with 50 watt per channel mono bloc tube amplifiers. I have never hit the wall with these amplifiers. Other members use Rogue Audio tube amps, Audio Research and such like. As far as Chinese built amplifiers go, I have heard the better Prima Luna tube amplifiers have successfully run Martin Logan's with very little high frequency rolloff.
If you're going to use the amplifier a lot for home theatre, tube amps tend to be expensive to run. With some amps, you're lucky to get 2000 hours before you need to change the tubes. Have you considered a really good solid state amp like a Pass Labs X150.5? This amp plus Summit speakers are a match made in heaven.
khenegar
Well-known member
Edwinr: I am presently using a bryston amp and wanted to try tubes to see if I see the magic. Always used tubes until I got into home theater.
I would like to know what 70 watt tube amp you speak of ??
FWIW, I tried my Jolida integrated (50 watt) up against my Spires (same demands as your Summit's) and it could play music but not in the same league as my Rogue M-180's.
FWIW, I tried my Jolida integrated (50 watt) up against my Spires (same demands as your Summit's) and it could play music but not in the same league as my Rogue M-180's.
khenegar
Well-known member
70 watt
twich54: they will be home brew amps built by a friend of mine, told him I wanted 100watts per channel said they would be expensive due to transformer size suggested 70watt mono's
twich54: they will be home brew amps built by a friend of mine, told him I wanted 100watts per channel said they would be expensive due to transformer size suggested 70watt mono's
Hocky
Well-known member
The answer is it depends. It depends on how big your room is, what your peak SPL's are, and what you think "works" means.
A home brew amp does sound interesting. Good transformers are very expensive. When you say '70 watts', with that kind of power output I would imagine you're talking ' pentode. I personally prefer triode amplifiers. While the power output is lower, the over all sound presentation is slighter softer and more organic. I also notice that in triode mode my bass response is superior.
khenegar
Well-known member
70 watts
Tried the home brew amp today it had serious problems with noise in one channel and buzzing in the other! Also when I turned on the lexicon it got worse! Called he said bring it back ASAP . It also has a very loud thump when its turned off. It is a hybrid design with tube output and transistor input. I was hoping I could Listen to it but it brought memories on how tubes can be a pain in the butt!
Tried the home brew amp today it had serious problems with noise in one channel and buzzing in the other! Also when I turned on the lexicon it got worse! Called he said bring it back ASAP . It also has a very loud thump when its turned off. It is a hybrid design with tube output and transistor input. I was hoping I could Listen to it but it brought memories on how tubes can be a pain in the butt!
InterMechanico
Well-known member
Anyone have an opinion on the Bob Carver Black Beauty Mono Blocks? They're selling for half price right now. Honestly, I'm finding myself very tempted...
