Cube Audio Nenuphar Single Driver Speaker (10 inch) TQWT Enclosure

Thank you @stephendunn for posting this link.

What a creative concept! They do resemble flowers. Single-driver designs fascinate me, but there aren't any to try out around here. However, I appreciate hearing about other people's experiences. These are particularly fascinating.

@onsionsi 

Thanks for posting review of Enleum 23R as headphone amp.

Here's a review with detailed analysis of Enleum driving SoundKaos speakers:

Btw, that reminds me - I spoke with the US distributor and it looks like the v2 driver upgrade is changing out the cone and assembly on the same frame/magnet of the v1 drivers. So there is a down time in sending the v1 drivers, replacing them and then getting it back :-( You can off-coarse buy a new pair of v2 drivers and then sell the v1 driver in the used market but that will be a costly proposition.

I was very interested to try the Enleum but my modded LM sounds so good with the Nenuphars that I have no interest of upgrading the amp. If I like the Enleum more than the LM, it will great win for me since, apart from the uptick in sound, I can also significantly reduce the power consumption of my system.

Here's a good review for Enleum Amp-23R if anyone interested

https://headphone.guru/the-enleum-amp-23r-headphone-speaker-amplifier-the-best-of-both-worlds/

@greysonjordan  Welcome. Which speakers and amps are you looking to pair? 

Thank you for giving the information about amplifiers.

Srajan Ebaen’s 6Moons review of the Cube Audio Jazzon speaker is complete.

Here is the link to page 1.

Cube Audio Jazzon Speaker Review by 6Moons

He fleshes out differences between it (Jazzon) and the Nenuphar.

@stephendunn Thank you, Stephen. It was the correct choice.

I’m going USB out from the Taiko’s USB Extreme card to the T+A SDV 3100 HV (specifically, it’s DAC).

Still figuring out whether I prefer the recommended ASIO USB driver or the WASAPI USB driver (via the Taiko Roon Player).

@david_ten 

Congrats on adding Taiko server.  What DAC will you use with it?

6Moons review of the Cube Audio Jazzon speaker, pages 4, 5, and 6 added. Link is to page 4.

6Moons Cube Audio Jazzon review

Thanks, Charles. You’ve been integral in my journey.

@david_ten 

You are committed to the digital streaming format and you possess an exceptional home audio system. Why not endeavor to extract the best sound available for your front end source? The magnificent Taiko Extreme was the idea music server choice for you. It has unquestionably elevated the sheer enjoyment of you  listening to music . Case closed. Congratulations!!! 

Charles 

I recently added the Taiko Audio SGM Extreme server/player to my system.

Thank you Mike Lavigne @mikelavigne for your help, without which it would not have happened; and for your support along the way.

A major shout out to Charles @charles1dad and Lalit @lalitk for letting me run a number of server options by them AND for their advice on how to best move forward with my server choice.

@stephendunn  Exciting times ahead.

+1 on the Playback Designs MPD-8. It will be a very interesting comparison with your TotalDac.

I'll give Nocturnes a listen. Thanks!

Specs for the V2 Nenuphars from Cube Audio:

Parameters:

​​Impedance: 8 Ohm

Max power: 40 W

Efficiency: 91 dB

Frequency response: 28 Hz - 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.

[Note: Reposting the specs for the V2 Nenuphars so folks can easily compare with the original / opening post V1 Nenuphar specs (at least for the duration of this forum page)]

@david_ten

I will be auditioning a Playback Designs MPD-8 Dream DAC in March.

And sometime April/May I will audition the Magnepan LRS speakers driven by the VR L2iSE.

I’ll also be adding some room treatments in incremental stages.

And I’ll continue to work with the Decware Zen Triode 25th Anniversary Edition, rolling a few more tubes and experimenting with it’s various settings.

And, as mentioned, I will probably add a Cube Audio 10" woofer.

But mostly, as always, discover new music. Such as Jan Lisiecki’s Chopin’s Nocturnes (DG) reviewed by Alex Ross in this week’s New Yorker. Listening now through the Enleum 23R. Delicious.

@stephendunn  Thanks for answering my questions!

Are there other moves / plans on the component / pairing front in store?

Confirming that Cube Audio has made the correction on their webpage.

@vinpic The upper range listed is the same as that of the V1 [ 18KHz (6dB) ]

Are you saying that the V2’s upper frequency number is higher and that ’number’ also needs to be corrected? Thanks.

"V2 covers a wider frequency range (lower & higher"

@vinpic 

Yes, I think the Cube Audio sub is the next step, although I'm thinking of the 10" since my room is slightly smaller than yours.  Right now I'm using a KEF KC62--a mini sub that does a credible job.

@david_ten 

I prefer both the Enleum and the Zen Triode without a pre.  

I'm not tempted to try mono block Zen Triodes since 1) I don't feel the single Zen needs more head room--although the monos might offer other benefits as well, just twice as many tubes to maintain 2) I think the Enleum may end up in the system the lion's share of the time. It plays better at lower volumes than the Zen, although that might have more to do with controlling volume through the TotalDAC instead of the Zen dual volume controls.  I'll have to experiment.  

I sent the iFi Pro iDSD back--a great a value but fell short of the TotalDAC D-1 Dual.  

A typo indeed.  V2 covers a wider frequency range (lower & higher with a slightly more balanced mid-range if you ask me).  I don’t have a lot of direct experience of the new bass extension as I use Cube’s V2 10’’ monitors and complement with their Sub12’’ 

Specs for the V2 Nenuphars from Cube Audio:

Parameters:

​​Impedance: 8 Ohm

Max power: 40 W

Efficiency: 91 dB

Frequency response: 28 Hz - 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.

Heard back from Grzegorz. It was a typo: 28 Hz (6dB) is correct!!!

They will make the correction on their webpage.

I’ve deleted the former post. Here it is, with the [single correction]. If there are others, I will repost.

@mikeg Mike, the same questions came to mind when I saw the specs over at Cube Audio.

First thought was a typo (i.e 28 Hz)..I would have minimally expected 30 Hz (6dB)...a slight gain in LF. This is especially puzzling given what Cube highlighted regarding the V2 version:

"You can expect it now to be have even more bass"

@vinpic Any thoughts, given you have the V2 Nenuphars?

I have sent Grzegorz an email requesting clarification.

Interesting... The bass response is now 38Hz (6 dB).  It was 30 Hz (6 dB).  Why did the V2 lose the lowest bass response?  Should be easier to drive as an 8 ohm impedance.  What is the minimum impedance?  We know replacing the foam surround decreases the efficiency but extends the life of the driver.  Losing the lowest bass would be a non started for some.  I wonder why the decreased bass response wasn't noted in the 6 Moons review.  Not everybody uses the Nenuphars with subwoofers.

@stephendunn Stephen, congratulations!!!

What a terrific outcome. I’d keep both. : )

Are you using your Decware Super Zen 25th Anniversary Edition without a preamp? Given how well it has performed for you, any thoughts on going for the monoblock version and it’s 6 watt output? Is the iFi Pro iDSD still in your chain?

Compared to the cost of your Vinnie Rossi L2iSE integrated, both the Enleum and Decware also take honors on price.

@stephendunn 

I go back and forth and sometimes I have to look up and see which one I've got playing to know for sure.

Quite the complement for both amplifiers!

Thanks for taking the time to post your very insightful listening impressions.  Truly a situation where either choice is a homerun. 

Charles 

@stephendunn 

Good man, welcome to Enleum.  Stunning amp and extraordinary pairing with the Nenuphars.  Your next move should be to try the cube audio Sub 12’’ (I use one only in a 36sqm room, positioned ~80cm closer to the listening position to offset the DSP time lag, connected via the high line inputs to the Enleum.  This is probably the most significant upgrade I have experienced in a long while, more than any changes in streamer/dac (I am a happy owner of Grimm MU1 and Mola Mola Tambaqui)… deeper/cleaner bass, increased soundstage and transparency, more realistic timbres.  Simply gorgeous.  

For the past several weeks I've been listening to two extraordinary amplifiers, the Enleum 23R and the Decware Super Zen 25th Anniversary Edition, both achieving the most engaging synergy with the the Nenuphars I've experienced yet. These amps elevate the Nen's performance to a new level, surpassing even the VR L2iSE (whose Achilles heel is it's output impedance which creates a relatively high damping factor) which bested (to my ears) the First Watt SIT 1, SIT 3, Pass Labs INT-25 and a Triode Labs 2A3 Classic.  dspringham has called the Zen Triode "unearthly good" and vinpic has enthused over the Enleum 23R driving his Nen's with the new version of the 10 inch drivers and toetapaudio has posted how well the Bakoon 13R (precursor to the Enleum 23R) drives the Nens, so I can't claim I've summited any new peaks, but I have had the privilege of comparing these two amps side by side.  And you know what?  I find it very  hard to tell them apart, especially their uncanny portrayal of "ensemble" music--small jazz groups, chamber music, "girl and guitar", etc.  It is only when you go large, orchestra or rock say, that you might hear the Enleum 23R have slightly better bass definition, slightly better separation, slightly faster speed overall.   But the two share engrossing detail, tonal accuracy, harmonic richness, holographic imaging, immense dynamics and life-like ambient air that I have never heard from any other amplifiers.  Considering the two very different technologies of the these amps, this surprises me.  What they do share, technically, are three things we know the Nens love: zero feedback, damping factor of 1 and pure signal path--although the Enleum's purity is achieved not through minimal circuitry as is the case with the Zen Triode but through a proprietary biasing arrangement that Soo In Chae calls JET2, which converts the analog signal to digital then back to analog again.  The difference in output--the Zen at 2.3 watts per channel, the Enleum at 35 watts into 8 ohms--never manifest itself in my listening.  At high levels they maintained their control, openness and air.  Even pushing beyond tolerable levels I could hear no compression and the Zen never showed signs of clipping.

So which one will I live with?  Tough question.  Wouldn't have to change tubes with the Enleum, but then again I might enjoy rolling a few tubes in the Zen (I did replace the stock rectifier with the Sophia Electric Aqua 247b to nice effect).  I do like to listen to big music, so I'm leaning towards the Enleum, but maybe the Zen is a little more present with voices?  I go back and forth and sometimes I have to look up and see which one I've got playing to know for sure.

BTW, I vastly prefer both amps without the VR L2iSE as DHT pre (with Takatsuki tubes).  Running through the pre seems to add a smoothing veil which detracts from the wonderful detail and texture these two amps have in spades.

Also, I've listened to the Enleum 23R headphone output.  It is every bit as exciting as listening to the beautiful little beast drive the Nens.

Cube Audio Jazzon page 3 info from 6Moons:

Cube Audio Jazzon via 6Moons Page 3

@paullb That's the word on the street. : )

Thanks for the heads up regarding the new info on the Jazzon speaker.

New Cube Audio info dropped recently on 6moons.

https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/cubeaudio8/

Everything seems straightforward, except I wonder if the Nenuphar with the new v2 driver's efficiency has, in fact, decreased to 90 DB. That's the spec they are shooting for with the new Jazzon speaker and F10 select driver ("Driver efficiency had to be cut back a little bit"). 

@abd1   Congratulations on looking for solutions and applying them. Happy to hear you are pleased with the results and enjoying your system anew.

Now listening to Fabiano Do Nascimento's Tempos Dos Mestres album and I've never heard my system sound so good! 

+1 @cal3713 

Dogma is for people who prefer thoughts of superiority over experimentation and subjective experience, and what is music enjoyment if not the latter?  We've all got different rooms, systems, ears, and brains. 

@cal3713 

I also like how it corrects subs. I forgot that Dirac tends to tame the bass so much. When I run it again I'm going to run my sub a little hot. BTW, I used to frown on using subs in 2-channel but once I got a pair of REL T5i's I quickly changed my mind. Now I'm using a JL F110 v1 and looking for another. I still have REL's, hard to get rid of such a great little sub. I'm thinking of trying all 3 in my room and seeing what Dirac does with them. I can run the REL's off my amp using the high pass filter. I place the subs right by my Cube's and they are in stereo so it's like my version of the Nenuphar Basis Mini. Then I can put the JL F110 in the back corner of my room and run it off the pre-amp's outs. Might just be worth trying for the fun of it.

@abd1 If it works it works.  I had a bad experience with system wide room correction (Lyngdorf), but still use it on my subs (miniDSP).  In the end you have to trust your ears.  Dogma is for people who prefer thoughts of superiority over experimentation and subjective experience, and what is music enjoyment if not the latter?  We've all got different rooms, systems, ears, and brains. 

Congrats.

Is there an endpoint in this "hobby"? 🙄

A few weeks ago I posted about setting up my Nenuphar Mini's in my new room and having trouble with imaging. Thought I'd follow up...

First, even though I love my house, acoustically my new room sucks. However, I was able to position the Cube's just so to get a nice centered image. I had more toe-in than normal and the speakers were almost pointed directly at the MLP. I had wanted to get some GIK Acoustic panels but my wife has other thoughts. With physical room correction off the table, for now, I went back to the drawing board. Then I remembered how much I liked my Emotiva XMC-1 with Dirac, which I sold when we moved. Dirac was the first room correction I tried that I felt made a real improvement. I remembered there being a standalone Dirac processer -- MiniDSP! Turns out they're now on Dirac 3 and MiniDSP sells a couple Dirac processors designed for 2-channel audio. So I purchased the DDRC-22. After spending way too many hours on a Saturday trying to figure out why I wasn't getting any sound out of it when doing the room sweeps (my bad, I had to turn the volume way way up and then realized there's a -10db attenuation setting as default) I finally got it going and ran my first curve last night. Now listening to Fabiano Do Nascimento's Tempos Dos Mestres album and I've never heard my system sound so good! Sound is layered, pin point, textured... beautiful. Still have some tweaking to do and going to run sweeps again this weekend and fine tune some. Anyway, I'm sure mentioning DSP will trigger some nerves, but I highly recommend checking this out. They also make a processor with analog inputs so if you spin vinyl or roll tape you can run your analog sound through the processor and get Dirac room correction -- pretty cool.

A second page has been added to the announcement from 6Moons regarding the new Cube Audio driver and speaker.

The speaker is named "Jazzon"

I checked Cube Audio’s site and nothing as of yet.

Cube Audio Jazzon via 6Moons

@ David_ten

perfect. I was thinking about 5 to 7 feet. Nearfield could be closer in a small room or a desktop type setting, but not for speakers design for 20-40m² rooms. 5 feet is as close as I would want to get. I bet your Imaging and depth of field are out of this world (I assume they are out of the room). 

@paullb What is your reference / criteria for "nearfield" in your setup scenario?

I find the Nenuphars work incredibly well nearfield [in my room]. In my current listening position, as I type, my ears are 7 ft measured on the direct diagonal to each driver. Some may find this ’nearfield’ ...others may not...room dependant.

I’ve been as close as 5ft on the same measurement.

Does anybody listen to their Nenuphars in the near field? I'm guessing they would work well, but you never know and would love to hear about anyone's first-hand experience. Thanks.

Photos of the Nenuphar V2 in a room in New Zealand, courtesy of Mono and Stereo.

Cube Audio Nenuphar V2 In Room Photos

[Note: it appears the 'spec' information shared is from Cube Audio's site and is for the V1]

I've known of the 3dB drop in sensitivity for what seems like ages now. C'mon Cube Audio! : )

Given my choice of the 2A3 amp and purposely speccing it for 3 watt output...the V2 drivers are not going to work for me because I'm fully invested in Scott Sheaffer's Found Music amp build.

Stephen, I'm in agreement with your assessment (and current position) and how a new choice may impact your decision regarding V1 v. V2.

@stephendunn  Stephen, thanks for the added clarity. Looking forward to all of your combinations and your final assessments. I have the HE1K and the 560, however, my reference are the Utopias. At some point, a new / different topology headamp is in my future, therefore the interest in your findings.

David, yes I will be evaluating headphone performance as well especially since the mystery amp, a Decware Taboo MK IV, is actually a headphone amp that is also designed to drive speakers. My current long time headphone amp is a Melos SHA 1 which, despite its age (mid ’90’s), fixed power cord and single tube circuit, has held pride of place against all challengers, most recently the VR L2iSE (which admittedly is not designed as a headphone amp). My headphones are Hifiman HE1000se.

Despite my curiosity to hear the V2 driver, I’m approaching the decision not to upgrade simply on the basis of the new driver’s 3db loss of sensitivity. Even if one of the solid state amps wins the up coming shoot out, I think I would still want the original driver’s 93db sensitivity to check out other lower watt tube amps in the future. One of the great attributes of the original Nen driver IMHO is that it behaves as if it has much higher sensitivity, say 96 or 98db, probably because its load doesn’t dip below 4 ohms. I know Vinpic is happy with the upgrade and its pairing with the Enleum 23R, so if that amp emerges head and shoulders above the rest, I might reconsider. We’ll see.

Another teaser from 6Moons... A driver based on the Neo V2 and F10 Select.

New Cube Audio Driver

@stephendunn Fun times in the near future, for sure. The differences between all four amps and which ones draw you in the most will be very interesting to follow.

I’m curious and interested in the Enleum’s headphone performance. Is that an area you will be teasing out?

@stephendunn 

This should be interesting

Indeed!  As always I'm looking forward to your listening impressions. This should be quite informative. 

Charles