Tube amp for Polk Monitor 70 Sr 2

[viclauyyc]

Just got a new pair of the Polk Monitor 70 series 2 for very good price. And I need an amp for it. I always want to have a tube amp and came across a Cayin A-50T in mint condition.

I am wondering if the amp and speaker will be a good match. Will the amp is too much current or not powerful enough for the speaker? I am new to tube amp so really have no idea.

some info about the Monitor 70:
Overall Frequency Response 30Hz - 25kHz
Lower -3dB Limit 40Hz
Upper -3dB Limit 24kHz
Nominal Impedance 8 ohms
Recommended Amplifier Power 20 - 275 w/channel
Efficiency 90 dB
Crossover 2.6kHz and 2.6kHz cascade tapered 2nd order



Info of the Cayin A-50T:
# Power output: 16W triode; 35W ultralinear
# Frequency response: 10Hz~50kHz
# S/N ration: 89db
# Input sensitivity: 370mV
# Input impedance: 100K ohms
# Output impedance: 4 ohm or 8 ohm output connections


Thanks a lot for your input!!!!!

 

[j_garcia]

If you are talking about current generation Monitors, and it sounds like you are, then no offense but a nice tube amp would be a waste of money on them. If you want great sound, it starts with the speakers.

 

[sholling]

I have to agree with j_garcia. A 35w amp - solid state or tube isn't a good match for those speakers. If you like your Monitor 70s then you'd be better off investing in an amplifier with enough power to drive the heck out of them. If you're not happy with the Monitor 70 sound then start saving for a speaker upgrade.

 

[dapack69]

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You must get a good for speakers.

What would you recommend as a good speaker. Just saying to upgrade is not much help.

 

[3db]

What would you recommend as a good speaker. Just saying to upgrade is not much help.

A good set of speakers for a tube amp should be very efficient, at least low 90s sesnsitivity. Since tube amps introduce even order harmonics (gives them that warm sound) look for some Klipch speakers which may tame their bright sound.

TLSGuy would have much more knowledge here.

 

[ski2xblack]

What would you recommend as a good speaker. Just saying to upgrade is not much help.

3db mentioned a big factor with efficiency, probably the most important given the Cayin's limited power. Most pp tube amps like the Cayin have pretty low output impedances compared to their SET cousins, which require conscientious attention to speaker matching; pp amps usually play nice with most speakers.

I've heard the Cayin's bigger brother, the 70T I think it was. No offense to Cayin fans, but it sounded like an average to mediocre push/pull tube amp. To these jaded ears, good tube pp amps, which the Cayin certainly was not, sound pretty much like ss power, and they're soooo expensive relatively speaking they aren't worth the trouble.

 

[m_vanmeter]

I don't want to get into the tube vs. solid state thing on electronics, but if you want an amplifier that will light up your Montior 70's, consider this

http://emotiva.com/upa2.shtm