@larryi   Larry, thanks for sharing your personal and in-person findings from the Capital Audio Fest. 

The T+A PA 3100 HV integrated is back in the system (after a very long run addressing break-in playtime due to recent other component and cable changes).

I'm bypassing it's preamp section. The T+A SDV 3100 HV is serving as Preamplifier. For those unfamiliar with the SDV, it is a Network Player/Streamer + DAC + Preamp with completely separate digital and analog sections (including the power supplies and power cables).

Sound quality, even with a full on digital solid state chain, is exceptional. Emotional, Engaging, Natural. 

Stressing this point since many in this thread are driving their Nenuphars with solid state systems. 

@mozartfan  Paul, I got tied up last evening. I did see your first post (now deleted), but not the second one.

I'll follow through via PM. I have received your message.

Since you expressed interest in the smaller Cube Audio drivers, and are approaching this from a DIY angle, I suggest reaching out to Grzegorz directly via email.

They offer some details on their website for cabinet construction, etc. but he may be able to put you in touch via a forum or facebook group etc (over in Europe) that are using their drivers with DIY audio variations. Google translate makes it easy.

There is indication (for example: the 6Moons "coming next" thumbnail) of a coming announcement regarding the Nenuphar F10 Neo driver.

Posting this as a heads-up.

 

The return policy / restock policy question is a good one.

Jon Ver Halen of Refined Audio is the U.S. Importer/Distributor for Cube Audio and he would be able to answer and address the question.

 

Regarding the F10 Neo V2...from 6Moons / Srajan Ebaen (initial post... and to be continued):

Cube Audio F10 Neo V2 driver

 

Brief mention (at this time) over on the Cube Audio website:

 

"F10 Neo has been updated to version 2. You can expect it now to be have even more bass, higher top end extension with slight reduction of upper mid-range at the same time."

Some additional detail (though not much)...but thankfully a photo of the new driver over at 6Moons:

 

Cube Audio F10 Neo V2 Driver

From Mono and Stereo (with a few photos):

F10 Neo and F8 Neo V2

 

 

@toetapaudio  Thanks, Richard. If the new drivers are available, as claimed on the Cube Audio website, then the specifications and new measurements should be up as well. Perhaps you can pass that feedback on?

@stephendunn  Thanks. That's super helpful.

Did Jon give you a feel for turnaround time?

@stephendunn What will you be comparing the iFi Pro iDSD Signature to? Within your primary system?

Srajan Ebaen was one of my go to reviewers, however, I’ve become less enamoured over the last couple of years . He has many self imposed and rationalized limitations...which of course he has every right to... but it seriously restricts his bandwidth.

BTW, I have the iFi Micro iDSD Signature for desktop duties, when the need arises.

Thanks for the additional information on the turnaround time, etc.

@mikeg Mike, I noticed that as well...however, I thought Srajan was swapping out the drivers. Can you confirm if he received a completely new set of drivers + cabinets? Thanks.

 

Based on the photo on the current last displayed page on 6 Moons, it looks like Cube when to a single footer on the front baffle and two footers on the rear of the cabinet.

+1 @toetapaudio

I don’t see that there is a need for a rush into this, let’s get more details and let Srajan finish his review. It’s damn fine as it is imo.

@rwpollock  Next: both tone and palpability.... a Shindo-Aric cross. : )

@rwpollock   I'd look to @charles1dad  and @larryi and others who are advanced and experienced in the area of tube amplification. 

@onsionsi Thank you for posting this important and helpful information regarding the F10 Select driver for Cube Audio's Jazzon speaker.

@jayctoy Thanks for sharing your impressions from the Lampizator / Pass / Cube Audio (Nenuphar Basis) room.

@debjit_g Thanks for the link. Mike’s (Suncoast Audio) system photos from Axpona are impressive.

@stephendunn  Congratulations on the results you have achieved by adding the Playback Designs DAC to your system.

+1 regarding...

The Nenuphars soak up every iota of this upgrade, sounding like new and better speakers in every way.  They keep revealing themselves as true transducers of what goes before them.

I’ve been meaning to add system photos for a long time now. Here are two I just took via my phone.

NOLA Built

Click on each photo to get an enlarged image. Second is a close-up of the components. Scott Sheaffer’s left / right signal chassis monos are in the foreground. His left / right power supply chassis monos are immediately behind them in the rack.

[Note: components in the foreground appear much larger than those behind them]

Here's the WBF Masters & Makers Interview of Mr. Rulka (by Ron Resnick).  Though primarily focused on his Qualio Audio brand, the discussion is general and provides insight into Grzegorz and Marek's thinking / approach / trade-offs. It briefly  touches on Cube Audio (in a few places).

WBF Interview of Greg Rulka

@dlcockrum  Dave, welcome to the thread. Thanks for sharing the video.

Advance congratulations on being a  Nenuphar V2 owner (soon)!!!

@rwpollock   Thanks.  +1  Quality throughout the chain...rewards in spades

 

I have learned that the Nenuphars are sensitive to the quality of what's upstream

Refined Audio Room / AXPONA 2022 write-up and photos via pta / Graig Neville

Refined Audio / Axpona / Part Time Audiophile

@dspringham Charles ( @charles1dad ) and I were, by pure coincidence, discussing the very issue yesterday. : )

A number of Nenuphar owners use subs effectively (for their needs). Larry ( @larryi ) has posted his preference for the Nenuphars with the Basis subs.

+1 to @abd1 ’s post and his recommendation for Rythmik Audio subs. A friend of mine is very satisfied with the results achieved by pairing his subs with the Nenuphars.

@cal3713  +1   I'll add that Duke is wonderful to work with.

@dlcockrum   Nice. Thanks for posting the above.

@eric5kim  They are, aren't they. : )

Which "large tube monoblocks" are you driving your Nenuphar speakers with? Thanks.

@rwpollock  Robert, thanks for sharing. Great to hear you are 'drinking in' the results. 

The list of excellent amplifier - Nenuphar pairings is growing!!!

Many of our posts have focused on amplification. Adding an anecdote that illustrates that everything is important and can contribute to overall performance and sonic results.

I updated and upgraded my Router and Satellite (Mesh Network) yesterday.

The Satellite serves as the beginning / entry point component in the audio system (other than power / power cables).

Wireless in, then wired ethernet to my server.

The update and upgrade was not made for sonic reasons. I am very impressed with the resulting sound quality enhancement.

@debjit_g  Debjit, I think he will be open and helpful. I would not be surprised if one (likely more) of their clients has provided feedback on wiring choices. You never know... something you happen upon might find application on their end.

They are probably at the High End Munich 2022 Show...in other words, it may take longer than usual for a response.

@debjit_g  I cannot see / can't access the photos / links in your last post. 

Will likely work if you use the 'Link' icon to the right of the smiley.

Excellent. It does. Thanks, debjit.

Cube Audio Jazzon from High End Munich 2022 (courtesy of Cube Audio):

 

Jazzon High End Munich 2022

 

 

Cube Audio Jazzon / Tektron Room High End Munich 2022. Close up video of the components and room. Posted by Cube Audio.

 

Cube Audio / Tektron / Lampizator Room at High End Munich 2022

 

I'd like to welcome and congratulate Dave ( member @dlcockrum ) as a new owner of the Nenuphar V2s. 

@stephendunn Steve: Fleetwood Deville SQs in your near future??? :)

Thanks for sharing the review.

Has anyone tried 2A3 amplifiers?

 

@eric5kim Eric, @riaa_award_collectors_on_facebook is correct.

I’m on my second set of 2A3 amps driving the Nenuphar V1s.

Questions?

@eric5kim Eric, both of my 2A3 amps were designed and built by Scott Sheaffer (Found Music). I picked up the first pair of monoblocks used. They were built for member Mike Lavigne. I commissioned the second set. They are a 4 chassis build. You can see the amps and their power supplies in my virtual system page.

I listen to electronic music fairly often as well as large orchestral music; and rock to a lesser degree. I find that my system delivers with all three genres. If anything, it is my room (which is mostly untreated) that exerts a role once the volume levels are 95 dB and up.

As a reminder, I have the V1 Nenuphars.

Much more important than raw power output numbers, in my estimation, is the quality of the amplifier build AND how well the incoming power (into the audio room, conditioning if used, and power cables) has been addressed. Component and cable isolation also factors in.

Members who are more versed in tube amplification, like @charles1dad and​​​​@larryi , may be worth reaching out to... or they can comment.

High dB peaks, especially with classical music, and the level of power needed before distortion and clipping, is covered in many threads. Many advised me against the 2A3 amps I chose. My experience has proved otherwise, with respect to the Nenuphars.

 

which 2A3 are you using? does it have enough headroom for large orchestral works/rock/electronic music? If listening at 88db need at least 10db of headroom for peaks

Eric, I also owned the Melody I2A3 integrated amplifier which was paired with Vaughn Audio Loudspeakers. That is the extent of my exposure to 2A3 amplifiers.

Interesting comparison compilation from Cube Audio.

 

Leonard Cohen 'In My Secret Life' Nenuphar / Nenuphar Mini / Jazzon

Another compilation / comparison, this time with four different music tracks (from Cube Audio):

 

Nenuphar / Nenuphar Mini / Jazzon comparison

Video from the Cube Audio Room /// 2022 Praha Audio Video Show, courtesy of Cube Audio.

 

Jazzon Cube Audio Room Praha 2022

Cube Audio Jazzon Speaker review by Dawid Grzyb // HiFi Knights

 

Jazzon Review by Dawid Grzyb of HiFi Knights

@mikeg   Mike, congratulations on moving to the V2 Nenuphars and thanks for sharing your early findings.

Since I have the V1s and am using a 3 watt amp, the additional gain needed for the V2s is both noted and significant for my situation. 

Looking forward to your detailed impressions after the 100 hour mark.

@mikeg Mike, good to know that the V2 driver is requiring less gain as break-in progresses.

I’m confused about your findings on the ’center fill’ / ’localization' to the individual speaker’. I don’t experience this in my system. Is there an explanation for why this may be happening with the V1s in your system? Thanks.

Congratulations on ’loving’ your V2s and the upsides they have resulted in.

@mikeg   Thanks, Mike.  Also, great to hear that your Ayon SET may be the preferred pairing.

@mikeg  Mike, my memory might be failing on this but I don't remember Cube "not liking V1s paired with 300B amps."  What I do remember is a preference by Cube Audio for 45 and 2A3 amps. If you have more information on this from Cube, please share.

Based on my experience with the V1, the ~8 watts of output, typical of 300Bs, is (per my estimation) the bullseye for 'ideal' SET power to drive the V1s. 

I'd expect a high quality design / execution of a 300B amp to be linear and neutral and be an effective pairing for the V1s. Chosen 'voicing' of the specific design, per the owner's preference, is an obvious factor.

 

If you remember, Cube Audio didn't like the pairing of the V1s with 300B based amps

@mikeg Mike, in addition to simple preference, perhaps the industry association for shows, etc. may have been a factor. Tektron Audio and Cube Audio in Europe. Refined Audio being a Pass Labs dealer factors for the US shows.

If Grzegorz has reasons for not recommending a 300B or for putting it lower on Cube’s recommended list...I’d love to know the reasons.

Here is a screenshot of the recommended amplifiers (I believe this was the list when the V1 was in existence) from Cube Audio.

A number of 300B amps are in the "Amplifiers that work well with Cube Audio speakers" list.

[Note: I was not able to re-format the font size, etc. below] In other words, I'm not shouting!!! 😊

 

Amplifiers that are working very well with all Cube Audio speakers

Up to 4’000 Euro

• First Watt SIT-3

• Feliks 300b Arioso

• Fezz Audio Lybra 300B

• Fezz Audio Mira Ceti 300B

• Music book 250 Power

• Naim Audio XS2

• Naim Audio Uniti Atom

• Sun Audio 2A3

• Quad Artera Pre + Power

• Tsakiridis AEOLOS PLUS EL34

• Tsakiridis Hermes EL84

• Tsakiridis ORPHEUS 211

4’000 - 10’000 Euro

• Aesthetix Mimas

• Bakoon amp13r

• FANTINI 2 GM-70

• First Watt SIT-1

• Manley Stingray II

• Quad II Classic

• Sun Audio 300B

• Tektron TK211SI REF

• Tektron TK2A3/300BPSE-I-REF

• Tektron TK300BS-I-ECY

• Verdier 300B

• Viva Solistino integrated

Over 10’000 Euro

• Absolare Intergrated SE

• Aesthetix Calypso Eclipse + Quad II80 Monos

• Aesthetix Janus Eclipse Pre + Line Magnetic 503 Monos

• Aries Cerat GENUS integrated

• Aries Cerat Incito-S + Concero 25Aries Cerat GENUS integrated

• EAR 509

• Grandinote Genesi + Demone

• Grandinote Shinai integrated

• Shindo Cortese 300B

• Wyred4Sound Pre + Quad II 80 Monos

• Tektron TK211MPSE REF Mono Pair