Video Asylum

Posted by TK's Corner on August 20, 2000 at 23:55:40:

In Reply to: Tubes & HT? posted by NewToHT on August 18, 2000 at 07:42:16:

Tube amp for HT ?: no, not that I know of, at least not a very popular brand if any. I'm currently thinking how to set-up my own tube HT, too.

I'm not sure how u want to go about with your current system, also not sure about your budget... for the add-on:

The thing is, HT needs high SPL; around 100~110dB. If u are using a typical speakers with 85~90dB sensitivity, u need first, amp output of 70~250W r.m.s. to reach that level; second, speakers which produce up to equal SPL. Tube amp with this outputs are likely to cost a bomb (and in the case of HT, 3 bombs or more... 1 for each additional channel!)

I myself are very particular on integrity of sound, I want sound of same tonal character to be produced whether in music or in HT; I'll get the same(same series at least) add-on speakers as my main speakers. U have a Martin Logan, do they make centre (yes, they do on this!) & surround speakers of the same design (ie.hybrid or full electrostatic) ??

Come finally, can your Martin Logan takes rough tone blasting? In HT, lots of signals are rough & explosive; can these electrostatic speakers take that challege? If not, u may end up with two miseries: 1) a less lifelike & exciting sound on playback; 2) mainatinance cost on replacing the electrostatic panels that are being damaged from the canons & gunfires.

I have a pair of Quad ESL-63, I know these beauties don't survive a street gun-fight, not to mention the inter-galaxy star wars!!

I also love the sonical purity of tube amps; but I don't have a big pocket, hence I have otherways in mind to build my tube-powered HT.