@stephendunn... I'm a cable believer however I've noticed the least difference with power cables. I am using a PS Audio P5 regenerator so I think they might have less an impact in my system since the power is regenerated. I love the P5 and did notice a big difference once I put it in my system. Anyway, I'm wondering what cable you replaced and what happened when you put your original cable back in? Did you notice a drop off in performance?
Cube Audio Nenuphar Single Driver Speaker (10 inch) TQWT Enclosure
Cube Audio (Poland) designs single drivers and single driver speakers.
Principals are Grzegorz Rulka and Marek Kostrzyński.
Link to the Cube Audio Nenuphar (with F10 Neo driver) speaker page:
https://www.cubeaudio.eu/cube-audio-nenuphar
Link to 6Moons review by Srajan Ebaen (August 2018):
https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/cubeaudio2/
* Frequency response may vary and depends on room size and accompanying electronic equipment.
Principals are Grzegorz Rulka and Marek Kostrzyński.
Link to the Cube Audio Nenuphar (with F10 Neo driver) speaker page:
https://www.cubeaudio.eu/cube-audio-nenuphar
Link to 6Moons review by Srajan Ebaen (August 2018):
https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/cubeaudio2/
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Parameters (from Cube Audio):
Power: 40 W
Efficiency: 92 dB
Frequency response: 30Hz - 18kHz ( 6db)*
Dimensions: 30 x 50 x 105 cm
Weight: 40 Kg
* Frequency response may vary and depends on room size and accompanying electronic equipment.
1,567 responses Add your response
abd1...The Shunyata Omega replaced an Audience AU24 power chord, a David and Goliath match up. This all came about because my audiophile friend insisted my old Audience cable wasn't good enough for the VR. I insisted that there was technology in the VR that made the power cord less important. But I will say when my friend replaced another Audience AU24 cable with another very high end Shunyata pc (I think it was a Sigma NR V2) on my Totaldac, we could clearly hear improvements by degree but not the quantum leap the Omega gave us on the VR. I have been a cable believer up to a point, thinking they were the classic example of diminishing returns in hi end audio. But sometimes $7.5 grand really buys you that much of "better", especially if you're replacing an older technology. I would have to sell another chunk of my Blue Note collection to afford it, so the jury's still out. How did my old cable sound when I put it back in? I don't know, I told my buddy I needed another week with the Omega to make sure I wasn't hearing things. (<: |
Bring out all the superlatives in the audiophile handbook (including where the bottom part of your face hits the floor) and add in something uncanny that had to do with speed and pace that focused my interest with a life like quality I’d never heard before. @stephendunn Congratulations on achieving what you are with your system, and thanks for sharing your findings and results with the Omega pc feeding your VR integrated. |
For the past nine months, I’ve been thinking through and processing possible amplifier pairings for the Nenuphars. Came close to acquiring: Audion Golden Dreams, the New Audio Frontiers 211 SET, Ayon Crossfire/Vulcan EVOs, EM/IA 50/300b, etc. I made a choice of designer/builder a couple of weeks ago and committed to the specific build today. After one heck of a journey across brands, a variety of power output tubes, SET vs. Parallel vs. Push-Pull builds, etc., etc. I ended up very close to home, in amplifier speak. I’m moving forward with a custom 2A3 build by Scott Sheaffer (Found-Music). This build will ’make less power in the zone’ than my current Found-Music 2A3s (2 to 3 watts vs. 3.5 to 4 watts). Second finalist was the Thomas Mayer 300B multi-chassis build. The amps should be in system by February / March. A number of members helped with this. THANKS to all. You know who you are!!! |
Thank you, Charles. @cal3713 Thanks! I'll put together a proper summary of differences, etc. and get back to you. Some high level differences: 2 chassis vs. 4 chassis. Copper vs. Silver wiring. Different output transformers. AC heating vs. DC heating. Etc. Here is some information on my current 2A3 amp, courtesy of What's Best Forum: https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/found-music-2a3-amplifier.4279/ |
David, That link you posted brought back pleasant memories . Mike Lavigne bringing the Found Music 2A3 SET mono blocks to my and other audiophiles attention. State of the art design and built quality to implement by all accounts an exquisite sounding amplifier. Now this will be taken to the next level as an all out assault 4 chassis amplifier with even better output transformers, separate power supply chassis per channel. The Nenuphars will extract every bit of performance these amplifiers have to offer. Very exciting times ahead. This will be fun! Charles |
david_ten Congrats on your new amps. Can't wait to hear your report. BTW I ended up with the Sigma NR V2 power cable instead of the Omega. When attached to the VR L2i-SE it had 85% of the benefits of the Omega at 50% of the price. Still truly remarkable. Next up, I'm auditioning some Shunyata Alpha NR V2 speaker cables. |
For Cal; and others who may be interested... Here are some of the general differences between the custom 2A3 build by Scott and his former, my current, Found-Music 2A3 amps: * 4 chassis design, heavier construction vs. a 2 chassis design * DC regulated filament/heaters vs. AC heated * driver circuitry and theory is different, now actively loaded * driver tubes are mirrored vs. a single tube * active regulation in PS * amps will be prioritized for signal purity and performance...amps I have were designed to prioritize output power * high purity silver cabling throughout vs. copper cabling * Different and ’superior’ output transformers I’ll update as the build progresses. |
Update: I received my new in the box FW SIT-1s back from Pass Labs three weeks ago after having the voltage changed from 240v to 12v. They did the service for free. I waited for delivery on my Marigo Audio L3 platforms and E2 Mystery Feet (new products) before installing them last Monday. I started with the stock power cords and on Saturday I reconfigured my system to replace the stock pc with Synergistic Research Galileo SX pc. All I can say is I am completely over whelmed by how they sound with the Nenuphars and my Ayon Audio S-5 6H30 super tube based network player/DAC/preamp to the point of not being able to sleep more than two hours at a time. I also have a pair of Lessloss Black Body Radiators shielding the SIT devices and PPT Edens (mini Gates) over the transformers. I had a jaded audiophile buddy over last night who has had more equipment than anybody I know ( he hasn't heard my system for over for over 8 months) and he was so impressed (enthralled is the word he used) by the Nenuphars and the grain free sound of my system with the FW SIT-1 amplifiers. He also mentioned the Nenuphars were free of colorations, slice threw music like butter, and had endless high frequency extension which I fully agree with. What I also like about the FW SIT-1 is how they sound like the best SET amps out there without the short comings of tubes which mainly relates to tube life and cost of operation (my other amplifier is the Ayon Audio Odin MKIII Build 4 that has four tubes that cost $1000 each). Too bad Pass Labs can't develop another source for static induction transistor devices. |
Congrats Mike, what a great result. And always good to end up with a Pass Labs product. Periodically you run into alternative approaches (e.g., https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/100-w-tube-amplifier-malfunctioned) and it highlights how nice it is to support a company that cares about more than profit. |
"All I can say is I am completely overwhelmed by how they sound with the Nenuphars ....to the point of not being able to sleep more than two hours at a time. Loved your post, Mike. What a fantastic result. Congratulations!!! Is your friend still "jaded?" : ) |
Hi Mike, Thanks for sharing your fabulous outcome, sincere congratulations. People who look at the Nenuphar as merely a single driver speaker and question its value just simply miss the point. A speaker doesn’t require multiple drivers, weigh 300-400 pounds with measured bass to 20 HZ in order to be considered superb. There are alternative paths to achieving sonic excellence. Charles |
Stephen, I haven't tried the Ayon on the Marigo Labs L3 platform and isolated by the Marigo Labs E2 Mystery Feet. I also plan on isolating all of the tubes with acrylic cylinders like Allnic Audio components. I'm sure the butcher block amp stand under the Ayon rung like a bell. I will have to reserve final judgement until then. They sound very similar but the Ayon is a little more detailed in the midrange and may be a little more dynamic. The FW SIT-1 definitely has a lower noise floor. I faintly hear tube hiss on the Ayon when not playing music but the FW SIT-1 is dead silent. But there is something magical when the entire singe path including power supplies is SET based. Planning on keeping both. They are back-ups to each other. |
Too bad Pass Labs can't develop another source for static induction transistor devices.I suspect they could have their own made, but it wouldn't be cheap. It sounds like that is what Aries Cerat did. This summer EnjoyTheMusic had a short new item on Aries Cerat and their new Ianus series of electronics. www.enjoythemusic.com/news/0720/ Aries Cerat Ianus Series amplifiers is a showcase of the company's unique TriodeFet technology. After years of developing and refining their technologies, they are proud to introduce the TriodeFet technology, and a Series of amplifiers that implements this truly innovative technology. This technology is neither a hybrid topology (in the usual sense of a tube-driving solid-state stage type), nor a solid-state driving tube kind of stage. TriodeFet is a new way of using hollow and solid-state devices. The concept is to have a low voltage / high current active device, which had the linearity of a triode, and at same time would be able to source enough current to drive low impedance loads directly. The TriodeFet, can be seen as a three terminal active element, just like a MOSFET or a triode. The company's breakthrough is that its transfer curves are identical of a true high quality triode, with the only differentiator from a true triode is that, the Y-axis (current) is in scaled in Amperes and not mA. What this means, is that you can design circuits that were never before possible either by using tubes or transistors. This new active element can be used to develop simple, very linear circuits, which are stable down to very low impedances, while the TriodeFet's inherent linearity is making the use of the problematic negative feedback redundant. New models within the Ianus Series include the Geminae (€110,000) Class A amplifier that produces 130 Watts @ 8 Ohm. Aries Cerat's Essentia (€39,000) is the little brother that produces 40 Watts @ 8 Ohms. |
@rwpollock Perhaps you’re just suggesting that pass finds a new manufacturer for the SIT devices? The first run was custom made by Semisouth for Pass Labs (hence the Pass label on the transistors), but they have since closed the factory. Some interesting discussion here with input from Nelson: https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/pass-labs/222098-semisouth-goes-dodo.html |
Maybe he will given the success of the sit amps. I've heard they're starting to get low on their supply and the sit3 was only possible because the parts have been so reliable. Previously, those transistors had been held in reserve for replacement service. Funny that Nelson said this in 2012 (from the above thread on diyaudio): "I predict that long before I run out of SITs there will be some new, perhaps more interesting devices to play with." |
“New models within the Ianus Series include the Geminae (€110,000) Class A amplifier that produces 130 Watts @ 8 Ohm. Aries Cerat’s Essentia (€39,000) is the little brother that produces 40 Watts @ 8 Ohms”. That makes the FW SIT-1 a bargain. Given the FW SIT-1 has 2 watts/ch at 1% distortion, yet it sounds more like 50 watts/ch. I have 9ft ceilings and my dedicated listening room that has no back wall to speak of is open to a decent size kitchen/eating area (shaped like an “L” close to 600 sqft) and I’m never wanting for high volume. I also want to report that the FW has opened up nicely and has a beautiful mid bass response. I also found that like the Ayon Audio Odin, the FW SIT-1 benefits greatly by adding SR ECTs near the on/off switch, binding posts, the male IEC connector and on top of the transformer. I had these on my Ayon Audio S-5 also and they eliminate high frequency grunge that provides a multitude of benefits in the recreation of music. |
One other thing I left out: I started with the Tidal Audio Impact amplifier on the Nenuphars. That amp has a damping factor of 200, two separate transformers (left and right channels), 8 transistors per channel, 145 watts/ch class AB but it runs hot so I think the first 25 watts are class A, listed for $32K, built to deliver high current, and weighed 120 lbs. I didn’t hold a candle to the FW SIT-1. It would sound dry more times than not and at higher volumes there was a loss in clarity. I was afraid I would blow the Nenuphars if I was careful with the Ayon S-5 preamp remote. I was glad to sell that one to someone that had Dynaaudio loudspeakers which it matched well to. |
Received my Nenuphar Mini’s Friday night. Got them uncrated and hooked up but it was late once I did so I played a couple songs and waited until Saturday morning. Listened to some music Saturday morning at low volumes and left them playing all day at lower volumes to start breaking in. Last night my wife and I turned the up and listened for an couple hours. I’m reserving judgment as they only have about 15 hours on them but so far there’s no weakness. I’ve tried single driver speakers before and I never felt they got enough extension on the vocals and could sound a bit restricted or muffled. Not these. My previous speakers had Accuton ceramic drivers and before that I used Salks with the RAAL ribbon. These are more detailed but still natural and smooth. I thought the Accutons would be more detailed but nope. The sound also has more scale and is more realistic. I’m still playing with location as my room isn’t great but they do seem to like being closer to the back wall. Bass improves and when I had them pulled out a bit the imaging beamed a little. So far also seems better with no toe in. I’ll continue to break them in and follow up. Wish I could post photos here. I got them in walnut and the finish is fantastic. |
I uploaded photos in the virtual system. https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/9181 One issue I’m having is that when I turn the volume down I get a pop of distortion. I’m using a sachs preamp. I haven’t had this issue with any other speaker. It doesn’t happen every time but probably heard it 4-5 times. Mostly in the right channel but once in the left. Any thoughts? |
@abd1, they look beautiful in walnut (?) finish. I get a pop every time I turn off/on the SIT-3. Though I haven’t discussed with Jon (Cube distributor) on this but I assumed its normal. Your issue seems a bit different. Did you try any other preamp ? Since you have the DS which has a VC, maybe try connecting directly to the amp and see if you face the same issue ? How do you like the Canary M90 with the Cubes ? |
I would describe the canary as “creamy” but with excellent detail. There’s a certain lit from within sound I’ve heard others describe but didn’t understand until I heard this amp. Voices are the best I’ve heard. Might be a touch polite but speakers are also new and need breaking in. The other speakers I used were 85db stand mounts while I was waiting for the Cubes so not a perfect match to judge but the Canary still sounded great with those. My room sucks with one speaker in a corner and the other open but the sound is centered. The cubes like being pushed back more then other speakers I’ve had and no toe in. I get better results pushing the speaker close to the side wall. Maybe better getting an early reflection point. Who knows, but the stage shrinks if I move it off the wall. When my wife and I both listen for extended time I move the open side speaker about 20” further out and the stage is lifelike in scale. We’re house hunting and I’m really hoping to get a better listening space whenever we find something. |
@abd1 Thanks for posting the photos of the Walnut Nenuphar Minis and your room setup. The finish you chose looks terrific. I love walnut furniture and the grain and details of your speakers are gorgeous and matched!!! It’s good (for me) to know Cube Audio has ’delivered’ on a wood veneer should I choose to go that route in the future with one of their other speaker offerings. On another note, I accept the results you are sharing based on the setup and the restrictions due to your current room, however, my experience is conflicted over the positioning of the speakers and your room. For me, those first reflections are critical and are best balanced (three dimensionally). The left speaker being so close to the wall and in the corner and up against a window versus the right speaker being completely open to open space to the right of it would, in my experience, lead to a significant imbalance. It’s not clear from the photos where / how far your seating position is? Do you prefer listening near field or do you prefer listening with greater room involvement / contribution? If you are open to a suggestion and are interested in trying it out, let me know? For reference, your system photos>>> https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/9181 |
@david_ten I'm always open to suggestions but since this area is part of our main living room I have to balance the WAF in regards to placement. I'm also having a new cabinet built that will be about 3-4" wider than the current one. The listening spot is about 9-10' from the speakers. The sofa backs up to a 1/2wall that's part of a stairwell that goes downstairs. So there's not a full rear wall until about 6-8' behind the listening area. I'll take a better picture of the entire space this weekend. |
@abd1, Frankly I am impressed with the sound quality you have achieved given the obvious compromised speaker positioning that circumstances have dictated. Commendable the Nenuphars are performing this well. If you could some how managed to improve the speaker placement I believe that you would increase the Nenuphar's performance substantially. Charles |
@kw6 Yes, regarding: Does it have treble information that reveals the air and hall of the recording? No, regarding: Have you found any speaker colorations having lived with them for awhile? However, I am nowhere close to being an expert on the fundamental elements of music. ...ymmv As a note, I consider the entire system and room to be responsible for music reproduction. Isolating the Nenuphars from ’this’ is, in my opinion, problematic. Especially so for the amplifier - speaker - speaker cable unit, which I regard to be a ’singular organism.’ |
@kw6, If you’re ever able to hear both the Magico A3 and Nenuphar (Each respectively driven by an appropriately matched amplifier) I would be quite interested in your listening impressions. Those two speakers are so different and at near opposite ends of the spectrum in regard to their design. I imagine that they sound very different from one another. Charles |
If you’re ever able to hear both the Magico A3 and Nenuphar (Each respectively driven by an appropriately matched amplifier) I would be quite interested in your listening impressions. Those two speakers are so different and at near opposite ends of the spectrum in regard to their design. I imagine that they sound very different from one another. I am also eager to hear about this comparison. Apart from different design, their amplification requirement is also very different. |
I find my 94db/1w/1m, 8ohm speakers somewhat limiting in terms of amplification. Plenty of people do, but I don't think I'll ever move beyond the 25W/channel I currently use. Watts may be cheap, but if I'm dumping funds into amplification, I'd still rather dump them into fewer watts than more of them. The amps also tend to get so complicated the more power they're managing... just look at Nelson Pass' First Watt line to see how alluring the low power designs can be. He has the capacity to build some of the best reviewed high wattage amps available and still spends a huge amount of time (perhaps the majority?) playing with low power designs. |
Cal, Yes, Nelson Pass has thoroughly demonstrated his acumen of designing and building excellent amplifiers across a very wide power spectrum. He's enjoyed remarkable success with his Pass Labs amplifiers. Yet I find his explorations via the First Watt line of amplifiers so intriguing. He obviously has a deep passion for these special amplifiers given the multiple models/versions He has developed (And continues to do so) over the years. Every one of them is uniquely different from their siblings. Charles |