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Former Tekton owners: What have you moved on to?

I owned the Tekton Lore Reference for about a year and a half and they were great for the price. I ran them with a 50w tube integrated and it was a nice combo. For $750 I had no complaints except perhaps that the paint was cracking on one of the rounded corners. I ended up buying a pair of Gallo CL-2 for an office system on closeout direct from Gallo for $390/pair. After they were broken in I found myself listening to them more than the Tektons after awhile. I was getting addicted to the CDT tweeter.

Based on that experience I ordered the CL-3 refurbished for $650/pair shipped (crazy steal) and they were on a different level than both of the above. Sonically, one defining moment for me was listening to Joni Mitchell, Both Sides Now. (I think the Track was You’re My Thrill. )
During the intro there is a brief flute soli. With the Tektons it sounded like a really nice flute section that was very homogenous sounding and blended. With the Gallos I could hear each individual flute player and their unique tones and vibrato. The bass was also deeper and tighter on the gallos and the imaging was just amazingly holographic and wide and deep.

I know the timing of this is interesting as the Tekton hype train seems to be at full tilt right now with some of his higher models and I am curious to hear them. The 2 things that would give me serious pause and keep me from moving up the Tekton line are 1) the size and aesthetics 2) The very much "in your face" house sound that can get tiring to me.  Just wondering what others have moved on to from Tekton and what they heard that moved them in that direction.
clarinetmonster2

Showing 5 responses by david_ten

david_ten
5,480 posts
 
I still own them, but have upgraded to the Special Edition Double Impacts.
david_ten
5,480 posts
 
@clarinetmonster2  Good thread topic. Speaking for myself, it is always great to learn and grow my knowledge base. Very helpful with downstream decisions and choices.

 @mikirob   I auditioned and demoed the SHL5+ and both of Devore's: the O/93s and O/96s. All three are lovely speakers. And I would be happy owning any or all of them. : )

Having had the Double Impacts with the upgrade package, to my ears (and memory) and preferences the DIs outperform all three at least in ways that I value and prefer. The 96s clearly beat the 93s. They were well setup and run with premium Line Magnetic gear. For it me, it was a toss up between the 96s and 5+ (also run with good gear [Bricasti/Pass] and in a well setup room). Different speakers in not so subtle ways. For me, the 40.2s would be the correct target, but I did not get audition them.
david_ten
5,480 posts
 
The cabinets are slightly deeper. Upgraded drivers, cross-overs, etc.

They also come with a metallic paint finish (which is gorgeous by the way).

And they are available through dealers like @audioarchon etc (which also accounts for some of the mark-up).

NOTE: since you mention: 
Those are more than twice the price
When you add the metallic finish to the mix, the total cost is 6500 vs 4300 (sans grills). A 51% premium over the base DI, similarly finished.

I recommend checking the Tekton website just to be sure on the pricing, specs, etc. 
david_ten
5,480 posts
 
Bill, fools rush in where angels fear to tread. : )

As always, grateful for your wisdom and knowledge.
david_ten
5,480 posts
 
@nitrobob   Congratulations on finding the speakers that push all the right buttons for you and your wife. 

I think it was @mac48025 that loved his Legacy Focus SEs and was the first owner with the Double Impacts and likely the first to compare the two head on. It would be interesting to hear his take on both. It's also interesting that Legacy comes up a lot in comparison to, and in choosing one over the other, by folks.

I'm with you in loving what a ribbon tweeter can do, when well implemented with the other drivers.

One thing I do want to point out, especially for those who haven't owned the Double Impacts is that they are revealing of what's in the chain ahead of them. For me and my system, the layering and separation of the mids is exceptional for a speaker at it's price point and is, in my opinion, one of it's strengths which also happens to punch above it's weight class.
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