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High value, high efficiency speakers for SET amps

Hi, Gang,
I know that some of what I want to discuss here has been dealt with in other threads, some of them quite old, but I wanted to see if any of you fine, knowledgable folks are willing to help update and consolidate some of this info in a more current thread.
I am currently running my new Audio Note Kit 1 300B SET amp with a pair of Reference 3A De Capo speakers. I think it's a fine pairing and I am really enjoying what the 300B SET experience brings to the table in terms of musicality and emotional connection.
Still the De Capo, while supposedly an easy load due to its crossover-less design (only 1 cap on the tweeter with the mid-woofer directly coupled to the amp), is "only" rated at 92 db efficient, and based on the most recent Canadian NRC specs, that rating may be optimistic.
So, I am toying with the idea of trying a pair of more efficient, deliberately SET-friendly speakers in my rig, something that might also play lower and with greater dynamic swing than the De Capo's. Note that the De Capo's have served me well and I am very fond of them, but I can't help but wonder if my lovely Kit 1 would shine even better coupled to a VERY easy to drive speaker.
Devore and Audio Note are obvious options - the O/96 looks really tasty. Unfortunately, both of those choices are out of my budget, which I'm thinking maxes out (for real) at around $1500. I am willing to consider used equipment.
Tekton Lore 2.0: This is the speaker that Eric Alexander of Tekton has recommended when we've spoken on the phone, based upon my medium-small listening room and amp. I've read the epic "Lore vs. Zu" thread elsewhere in this forum, and clearly Tekton has its enthusiastic fans here. What I wonder is whether the Lore 2.0 has the refinement of the De Capo in terms of resolution, sweet high end and imaging. Audiogon'er Mikirob has pointed me to the many rave reviews of Tekton's speakers and I'm definitely interested.
I've corresponded with the Sonist folks (who are super nice) but their really high-efficiency, nearly-full-range floor stander is out of my budget.
Then there's the "vintage" route, going after some used JBL's or other high-efficiency "classics" from the 80's (or '70's). I am not inclined to go in this direction, but mention it because it's been suggested to me.
And then there's Omega. I spoke to Louis some time ago and he recommended his 7XRS hemp cone model. But I know all the raps on single driver designs and I'm cautious, although I would like to hear from any of you who own or have owned Omega's.
I'm in no rush to make a switch but I am very interested in your thoughts. Thanks, folks!
rebbi

Showing 4 responses by sebrof

sebrof's avatar
sebrof
837 posts
 
You should try to get to the Lone Star Audio Fest May 2nd in Dallas. That's where I heard Sonist and if they weren't out of my price range at the time I'd probably have a pair.

But at LSAF there are manufacturers of more than a few speakers, many full range single driver or similar designs.
Pi speakers is almost always there, Bob Brines, Manzanita, and others. I've seen many different types of speakers there, many SET compatible.
I suggest checking to see who will be there this year, I don't know.

And since you're a big DIY Guru now having built the Kit1 amp, don't discount building your own! ;)
sebrof's avatar
sebrof
837 posts
 
Rebbi, come and try my Katz already!
sebrof's avatar
sebrof
837 posts
 
04-23-15: Rebbi
Sebrof,
Have you found similarities between the Katz and the Lore, since you've owned both?
In ways the Lore sounded like bigger Katz, the Katz more delicate. The Lores more bass, more punch and drive. The Katz did that holographic floating music SET thing a little better. I liked both, in fact my for sale ad was for either Lore or Katz, I said I'm selling only one whichever sells first.

04-23-15: Rebbi
Mikirob,
Thanks.
One more question: How do they fare at lower volumes? Some speakers need to be played loud to "wake up," so to speak. How are the Lores in this regard?
I'll answer - I found them to play nice and full at low volumes. Actually that was/is something that is important to me, and something I think SET amps do well.
sebrof's avatar
sebrof
837 posts
 
05-04-15: Rebbi
Coli and Mrdecibel,

I've thought of Klipsch; the pricing of a lot of their floor-standers is certainly very reasonable by high-end standards. The thing is, I find their line to be so huge and diverse that I can't figure out what to even consider. Amazon carries a ton of Klipsch gear, as does our local Fry's Electronics.
If Klipsch, my suggestion is to look on Craigslist for their Heritage line of speakers. That's how I got a used pair of Klipschorns. That was about 5 speakers ago for me.

When I think of them I still feel a twinge in my back from when I sold them and we loaded them in the guy's truck (and a ringing in my ear from that squawker horn).
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