Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Stereo any one using Tubes with Axiom M80's??

Hi PT,

I checked the specifications and since the amp has output transformer taps for 4-ohm loads, you should be just fine using it for the M80s.

Keep in mind that, unlike solid-state amplifiers which essentially have an output impedance of 0 ohms, the output impedance of a tube amplifier is never zero, and its higher output impedance may interact with the impedance curve of the loudspeakers. That may affect the linearity of the frequency response (i.e. it won't be as smooth as a solid-state amp) in which case you may find that the amp does indeed sound different from your usual solid-state amp.

As to other mystical qualities attributed to tube amplifiers (added "air" and the like), I believe those exist largely in the active imagination of the listener.

It should be fun to experiment.

Regards,
Alan

Thank you for the input .

Another question i have is if i do go this route , the way i wanted to hook up the speakers is have my anthem on 1 set of terminals and the tube amp on the other set .

Both amps will not be on at the same time .

Is this advisable

Rob, I agree with the cautions Alan mentioned above. On the question of possibly having two amplifiers connected at once, even if only one is "on", the other is still connected by the connecting strips on the M80 terminals to the output of the one that's on and its output transistors(or tubes, etc.)will be damaged. So, this is a definite no-no.

Just to add what Alan is saying about high output impedance and how there can be frequency response variations. This is in terms of portable music devices and headphones and not tube-amps and speakers but the concept is similar.

Ipod Touch 3G - 7 ohms (High)
Sansa Clip+ - 1 ohm (Low)


(NwAvGuy, 2011)

http://nwavguy.blogspot.com/2011/02/sansa-clip-measured.html

Off topic because I am talking about a Guitar, but I just want to support the tube people <G>..
Always used SS with my M80's and really do not intend on going tube, but I bought my son a Fender Twin Reverb Amp for his Les Paul and all I can say is WOW!!!!!!!!!!, that is one awesome amp. Of course, there is way more to the AMP than just the tubes. Thought about plugging it into my M80's just to see, but I don't want to damage them.
Just my opinion - I don't care what the numbers say, but that Tube AMP he has is awesome. Now, I just need to get him to turn it down
I know this is way differnet than listening to Classical music and striving for clarity, but this is the CLEANEST guitar amp I have ever heard.

Thanks for the info John/Alan , it was just a thought .

I would like a second set of speakers for 2 ch but no room and really my system sounds so good now with the Anthem .

I guess perhaps the only thing i might try is a tube phono preamp to replace the Cambridge im currently using .

Tube amps glowing BRIGHT!
Lush distortion, liquid smooth
Music warms the soul

I had a wonderful time experimenting with tube amps, after I connected the first one I was ready to call it off immediately, however, with a little tweaking and changing of my preamp I spent a few hours just flipping discs and Lps. Axioms performed very well with a Manley amps. Since then I have tried Mac's and ASL and all were very different and all were very good. ASL Monsoons are by far my favourite. I decided to keep them and do not use them as much as my solid state, but not because they are better or worse, probably because its just simpler to run quickly.

What model Manley did you try? I am still lusting for a Stingray but my finances say "No, No, No"!

ASL Monsoon Good!