Cmss2000,
The spikes are in one of the styrofoam end caps......they're easy to miss and the speakers will sound much better with those threaded holes filled. Congrats on your new speakers, you're in for a treat.
I'm going to go with LTA MZ2-S also. Terry mentioned using the 1940's Tungsol black oval plate 6SN7's. That's what I'm going to go with also. A hot set up indeed.....the 1 watt still boggles my mind though! |
I was considering either the OB Sigma or the Pendragons but when I called Eric to place an order he asked if I'd be interested in a new speaker that was still just a twinkle in his eye at that time......the Double Impacts. While I knew nothing about them, being the first to get them, I didn't have any apprehension at all as I totally trusted Eric's ability. I never expected anything as good as the DI's though! I can't imagine how much one would have to spend to do better. Now, if the LTA MZ2-S is equally as good ( and I'm sure it is) I'll be in audio heaven. |
Brent Jesse is a great source of tubes as is Andy Bouman of Vintage Tube Services. Great quality and selection with expert matching of tubes along with an unending knowledge of tubes, tube amps and vintage gear. He even has his own vintage audio gear museum! Can't go wrong with either guy. |
I see a pair of 8 ohm DI's in my future!
I'll be getting a pair of LTA MZ2-S that will be bridged and run as Monoblocks which will provide 70% more output than a single MZ-2S. I'm sure that will be fine with my 4 ohm DI's but the 8 ohm version should be better yet. I wonder if teajay had any influence into that decision since he's the one that realized just how good the DI's are with the MZ. I applaud Eric for making this possible.
Congrats kdude, you're in for a real treat! |
Thanks Charles. I almost don't want to hear the Frankensteins, I'm afraid I'll like them so well that I'll need to spend more money yet again!
Im not sure if I'll need the 8 ohm DI's. Teajay is having great success with the 4 ohm DI with one MZ2-S and I'll be driving my DI's with two of them bridged as monoblocks. That will give me 70% more output......not that 70% more than 1 is a lot!
The LTA specs show the MZ2-S output at 1 watt into 4 ohms and .5 watt into 14 ohm. Let's say that makes it .7 watt into 8 ohm. Is there any real advantage of .7 watt into 8 ohm over 1 watt into 4 ohm? I know Al will have the answer! |
I forgot about that Al. Mark of LTA explained that the amps aren't bridged in the traditional sense and while it may not produce as great of an output increase there's not supposed to be any degradation of sound at all......there's actually an improvement with better channel separation along with the power increase.
I'm thinking there's a good reason Eric chose the DI to be a 4 ohm speaker originally so I'm going to stick with what I have and hope two MZ2-S's will suffice. A few people have heard the DI's with the MZ and have been greatly impressed....the combination could be the audiophile bargain of the century! |
I agree Charles.....teajay is a huge fan of the ZOTL 40 ( he put it in his reference system in place of a Pass Labs amp) and for him to prefer the MZ over it with the DI's speaks volumes. No pun intended 😏
I had a feeling the tweeter array was crossed over quite low as it handles a good amount of the high frequencies. I think Eric's crossover points and driver selection is a big part of the DI's magic. They are seamless from top to bottom. I don't much about the details of the speaker but after living with them for over 7 months now I can say they are the best speaker I've owned in my thirty plus years in audio. I think you're in for a very pleasant surprise Kenny! |
David,
I am using the PS Audio Perfectwave DAC and transport and think they sound awesome with the DI's. I also have the good ole California Audio Labs Sigma tube DAC and Delta transport and while not quite up to the Perfectwave standard they are quite close. Before the Perfectwaves I had the Schiit Yggdrassil which is an amazing sounding DAC, especially for the money.
hockeyme,
im not sure I'd bother with the upgrades if I were you. Like you my boxes were beat up by Fedex but it sounds like they ship them palletized by freight now. You're welcome to hear mine with the upgrades but in a different room with different components it will be difficult at best to know what to attribute any sound differences to. There will be three DI owners that I know of in Motown soon as someone that came to hear mine is saving up to order a pair. |
David,
i hear you, I couldn't see paying those prices either. When the Directstreams came out there were a lot of used Perfectwaves available at good prices and that's how I was able to afford them. There still might be a decent number of used Perfectwaves for sale. |
The Herbies Giant threaded gliders are perfect for the DI's. Like David said its not a huge sonic improvement but one nonetheless. What I like best is the ease of moving the speakers. Never thought of doubling up with the Fat gliders, but since mine are on carpet I can't imagine them helping......but who knows? |
Teajay,
do you find that the MZ2-S has enough headroom for dynamic transients when driving the DI's without the ZOTL 40? I imagine that if you can obtain 100 db sound levels with the MZ alone that the ZOTL 40 could rupture more than eardrums! Having gone back and forth between the two, what's your preference?
Thanks for your input. |
Thanks teajay, your experiment will be of great interest to me. One of the advantages of the LTA amps is that the DI's 4 ohm impedence doesn't bother them at all. The MZ2-S might drive the DI's easier than a larger SET amp but it sounds like a very worthwhile experiment. I look forward to your results.
Thats exactly what I'm going to do corelli. I'm ordering the MZ2-S next week and I expect that like teajay it will suffice for over 95% of my listening needs. I'll get another pair of Tektons for my SS system for rocking out to and movie watching. I'm still keeping my options open regarding adding a ZOTL 40 later if I feel I need it.
Thanks for thinking outside the box and sharing your results with us teajay. |
Having a dedicated listening room I'm not limited with placement and found 6' out from wall the best for me. Obviously every room/system/personal preference will vary. What I've found with the DI's and my previous Enzo's is that they aren't all that fussy about placement but I do much prefer how they sound in a well sound treated room with my listening chair being the only furniture in the room. The soundstage is huge in every direction. They sounded great in my family room two feet from back wall but now they sound even better. I think distance apart and toe in probably affect their sound more so than distance from back wall. |
Looking forward to your impressions Walter. Daedalus has been a speaker I've always admired and if they sound half as good as they look they must be special indeed. I thought I had my "forever" speakers with the Legacy Audio Focus SE's but after comparing them with the DI's for three weeks I sold them. They were exceptionally nice speakers but my preference was with the DI's. Seeing how they stack up to the Daedalus will be very interesting indeed.
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Teajay,
thanks so so much for all of your listening observations. I'm in the process of choosing new pre amp and amp. I'm settled on the LTA MZ2-S but am up in the air regarding the amp. How did the SET amp compare to the ZOTL 40? The LTA/Berning design has no problem with 4 ohm loads but many small tube amps do. It sounds like you preferred the SET. I'll be looking forward to your 300b results. For now I'll use the MZ2 to drive my DI's. Maybe the 8 watt Coincident Frankensteins will be a good match. I may just have to take you up on your offer to hear the Frank's on my DI's afterall Charles! Im surprised small SET amps work so well with 4 ohm speakers, but it's exciting.
Nitewulf, as teajay stated assuming the AMT tweeter is better than the DI's array is a wrong assumption. They are different sounding. While the AMT's MIGHT have been slightly airier, the DI's are more relaxed and musical to my ears and just as fast and detailed. The DI's are much more dynamic than the Legacys with a larger, more holographic soundstage. While I quickly realized I preferred the DI's to the Legacys it took me a while to realize just how good they are......they really have no right being this good at their price.
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Teajay,
Thanks for once again sharing your experiences with us. Talking to Mark at LTA he said turning the MZ2 volume all the way up is the same as removing it. I'll see if he can make mine without the volume control as I use the volume control on my DAC. I already ordered some NOS 40's RCA 12sn7's and 12at7's for the MZ2.
Im still up in the air on an amp. ZOTL 10 or 40? A 2A3 SET? A 300B SET? Think I'll enjoy just using the MZ2 alone for a while before committing to an amp. Acoustic jazz is what I mostly listen to, so it should suffice. I'd like to end this audio carousel I've been on and settle down to one last system. Quit laughing!!!! :)
Charles,
I am currently leaning towards the Frank's. 300B SET monoblocks for about the same price as the ZOTL 40. Combing the magic of the MZ2 with the "meat and bones" of a 300B SET could be special. I can always try the Coincident Line Stage down the road to see how it compares with the MZ2 as there might be a special synergy between the LS and Frank's. |
So true Charles, it's great to have so many great available choices. Like Corelli, I admire that you have found the system that suits you and you've been enjoying it all these years. While I used to enjoy trying out different components I'm tired of doing so and hope to be in your situation very soon. Since you were so kind in offering to allow me to hear your Frank's with my DI's I'll return the favor and offer to bring my MZ2 over to try with your Frank's and Total Victorys ( is that what you have?). What tubes are using in your Frank's? I love NOS tubes but other than the almost unobtainable and uber expensive WE 300B I don't think there are many NOS 300B options.
I was all set to go with the Frank's before hearing about the ZOTL 40 and now I've come full circle and am back to the Frank's. I really can't afford the Line Stage along with the Frank's this year, so the MZ2 with the Frank's is a great option. I like going with hand made in North America products even though I realize they are making some very good products in China. Dealing directly with the likes of Israel, Mark and Eric ( Coincident, LTA and Tekton) very much appeals to me also.
Also, like Corelli, I could be very happy for a long time with my current system. I get so much musical enjoyment from it that it's hard to believe it could be improved upon but from speaking with others that went from Decware to LTA I know I'm in for a dramatic improvement to my system with the MZ2 and Frank's........or ZOTL 40.
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Jonathan,
Being the owner of the very first pair of DI's I am happy to hear when the likes of you, teajay and others find them equally as astonishing as I do. When first getting them I couldn't believe what I was hearing and was apprehensive to review them, but went ahead and did so in hopes I was really hearing what I thought I was. I had no one else to compare notes with for the first month or so until the others recieved their DI's. It was a relief hearing all of the praise the speakers were garnering and to realize I wasn't crazy! I still scratch my head wondering these speakers can be this good......but they are. Thanks for sharing your impressions of them and I agree completely with your accessment of them.
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Whoa! I thought the DI's were crazy looking when I first saw them.....these are insane looking! I'll definitely make the trip to Chicago to hear these if Mike carries them. Hope they post some spec's for them soon. |
Mike,
I believe the PMD line are only going to be sold through authorized dealers like yourself? If you get a pair of these in please let us know as I'll definitely come hear them. As much as I love my DI's I bet these Ulfberhts are better yet......more than $8000 better? It will be interesting to find out. The DI's have set the bar quite high. Let us know if you get any specs on them. They look like they might be about the same size as the DI's.
The PMD line is confusing. The Ulfberhts are Eric's ultimate speaker yet the PMD Pendragons are priced $8k/pair higher? Maybe the price for the PMD Pendragons are wrong on the site, initially the Ulfberhts were shown as $40k per pair!
Lol grannyring. I like the look of them, but guarantee like your wife, mine wouldn't. Thankfully I have a dedicated music room and aesthetics aren't an issue. |
Well Eric, after months of owning the DI's I think I've found a speaker I'll like even more.......the Ulfberts! These new speakers of yours intrigue the hell out of me. I had no idea what I was getting into with your DI's and something tells me the Ulfberts are going to take things to a whole new level.
Regarding the science behind your designs. It's all over my head and it concerns me not. I do know that two best sounding speakers I've owned in my 35 years of audio are the Enzo's and DI's. That's enough for me to know! |
70" tall and 16" wide? I'm even more intrigued now! They must put out some serious sound, especially bass. Like Charles I'd like to know about their sensitivity and impendence.......along with frequency response.
Mike,
Whether you get the Ulfberts or not a trip to your place is in my future......getting the Ulfberts would certainly expedite that trip ;) I know I'm crazy for even contemplating removing the DI's from my main system but something tells me the Ulfberts are going to be insane. |
Teajay,
Waiting with bated breath to hear your impressions of the Ulfberhts. While I absolutely love my DI’s something tells me the Ulfberhts are going to take things to a whole new level......and at $12k a pair they should. While I could be very happy for a very long time with the DI’s, I’m thinking the Ulfberhts could be in my future. He ain't heavy......he's my speaker :)
On a different topic I finally ordered my LTA MZ2 and should have it in about 3 weeks. I’ll give it a try as an integrated amp but I’ll most likely be ordering the ZOTL 10 with the upgraded power supply which should be available early July. |
Mike,
Just to clarify, the DI's are $3750 with upgrade package and custom paint, the DI SE at $6000 and the Ulfberhts at $12,000? Both the DI SE's and Ulfberhts come standard with all the upgrades including upgraded drivers and custom paint? That's one heck of a line up! |
Walter,
Glad to hear you're enjoying the DI's, they put a smile on my face every time I listen to them. I'm thinking you're experiencing a similar comparison with your Daedelus as I did with the Legacy Focus SE. Basically the DI's did everything the Legacys could with the addition of the element of fun........air moving, ground shaking dynamic slam. The Legacys went low, but lacked the mid bass power the DI's excell in. The DI's can be great rock and roll party animals but have all the delicate detail and finesse one could want.
Can you imagine what the Ulfberhts sound like? Scary good I bet. As intriguing as the Ulfberhts are, I'm fine sticking with the DI's. |
Just recieved an email saying my LTA MZ2 is shipping today.......just a week and a half after ordering. I know how I'll be spending much of the holiday weekend! I think I'll drive the DI's with the MZ this weekend to see what one watt can do with them. |
Yes, extended listening to the DI's can cause disorientation 😜 And yes, Charles is correct, I have an MZ2 on the way.
My LTA MZ2 will be here tomorrow along with my NOS RCA 12SN7's and 12AT7's. Working with both Mark at LTA and Andy at Vintage Tube Services is such a pleasure. Both are consummate professionals with abundant product knowledge, offer great customer service and bring audiophile grade products to the masses with their very favorable pricing.
The one watt/DI experiment begins tomorrow night for me. I'm pretty much figuring I'll be buying an amp soon.....but maybe, just maybe the MZ2 will surprise me and offer all the volume I need. |
Good one David!
Not ot just the Ulfberhts, but the DI SE also. The 1812's are seemingly getting lost in the shuffle. I wonder where they fit into hierarchy? |
So my Linear Tube Audio MZ2 arrived today and while its way too soon to properly review it, my initial reaction is one of complete shock. I can't believe the quality and level of sound this little amp produces. It easily drives the DI's to 95+ db levels in my room and that's plenty loud for me. I really planned on getting an amp to partner with the MZ2 but I'm thinking I don't need to. I'll at least be in no hurry to to get an amp. It's not fair for me to evaluate its sound quality so soon, but so far so very good.
Terry, thank you! The MZ2 not only is plenty of amp to drive the DI's but together they make what might be the best value in audio.
I'll update my impressions regarding sound quality when it's had time to settle in. Suffice it to say it's sounding very good already. |
Charles,
This little one watt wonder defies all logic. It doesn't make sense that the MZ2 can not only produce sound levels equaling my Torii, but levels exceeding it. I usually listen in the mid 70 db's and can obtain levels in the upper 80's before the Torii starts sounding strained. With the MZ I can reach levels in the mid 90's with peaks over 100 without any signs of strain or distortion. Not only that but the MZ is dead quiet with inky black backgrounds that pull you into the music. The MZ is so pure, allowing every minute detail to come forth. Tone is perfect. After just a few hours with it I'm enthralled by it. Will adding a SET or other amp with it be better yet? Terry thinks so and he was dead on regarding this amp being able to drive the DI's. I'll enjoy the MZ alone for a while before thinking about adding an amp.
powerglide,
your experience with the Impacts reminds me of my first reaction when listening to my Enzo's......they blew me away and I spent all night listening to them. The DI's took things to another level but I was already exposed to Tekton speakers so I was ready for what I was hearing. This MZ is a similar experience to my first Tektons.......eye opening and jaw dropping.
mofojo,
definately, I'd love to have another DI owner hear them with the MZ. Let me know when you're in town and we will set something up. We can see how well the MZ will head bang, but I'm guessing you'd be better served adding the ZOTL 10 for that. The MZ was designed as a headphone amp but people realized just what an amazing pre it is......and now some of us are realizing it's also a great amp with HE speakers. Therefore it's limited to one output. You could contact Mark at LTA about a possible second output. |
Yes Nick, I did go with the upgraded power supply. Have fun listening to the Tektons and LTA stuff. Hopefully you'll be able to hear both together as they sound great together.
Well, I couldn't wait any longer and rolled the 40's RCA tubes in the MZ2. Wow. I as told the LTA stuff reveals a tubes true character and makes tailoring its sound quite easy. The stock RCA tubes were very nice but maybe a bit bright and forward for my tastes. The 40's RCA's are just a bit more sweet, warm and textured. I've been playing Hope Waits debut album non stop since 6 am to burn the amp in and with MZ I'm not tiring of hearing it. The deep, black background allows every nuance of the recording to reveal itself which sucks me in every time I sit down to listen for just a few minutes......and before I know it I've listened to the whole album......yet again! No listener fatigue here. |
Teajay
Are you reviewing the Classic or FFX version? Both look nice but the FFX is quite a bit more expensive and probably what I’d want. I’m very happy with using just the MZ2 but after listening further I can see where a bit more texture and warmth might be nice. I have some Ken Rad and Tung Sol round plate 12SN7’s on order in hopes of obtaining a little more texture but the idea of a SET amp to add that meat on the bones you refer to is appealing. The Coincident Frankenstein 300B SET Monoblocks are on my short list and this Triode Lab 2A3 SET looks nice also. I appreciate you sharing your results and I’m in total agreement with your accessments regarding the DI’s and MZ2. The ZOTL 10 with the new power supply is very intriguing, especially with the special synergy it has with the MZ2 but from what you’re saying it sounds like a SET amp brings even more musical magic to the table. |
I too await Teajay's 300B review as I'm still trying to decide which way to go regarding an amp. For now I'm really enjoying the MZ2 but would like a tad bit more texture, air and warmth......qualities SET amps seem to excel at. For now I'll be content with rolling different tubes in the MZ2 to see if I can get those qualities. I have NOS TungSol round plates and KenRad 12SN7's along with Mullard 12AT7's on order. Hopefully some combination of them with or without my RCA's will get me what I'm looking for and I won't have to bother with an amp. If the NOS tubes don't bring me that SET magic I'm looking at the Triode Lab FFX with Hashimoto output transformers for $3800 US. I'm sure the 300B Frankensteins would fit the bill but they may not be within my budget this year......unless I happen to come across some used. Unlikely though as they don't seem to come up on the used market much.
The great thing about the DI's is that they give you so many amp options. The not so great thing about the DI's is that they give you so many amp options :) |
Congrats Kenny, you're going to love the MZ2......whether as a pre amp ot amp. It's still astounding me as an amp so I haven't tried it as a pre amp, but as you know many can't say enough good things about it as a pre. A speaker designer summed up the LTA sound perfectly......the epitome of clarity and purity. That clarity and purity is very responsive to tube rolling so don't be afraid to try differant tubes. Andy at Vintage Tube Services has some TungSol round plate 12SN7's that are supposed to be amazing.
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Iamasif,
A suggestion for you. If your processor/reciever has a phantom mode try your system without a center channel. The DI's image so well I preferred home theater without the center channel. Just a thought, especially with your center channel not matching the DI's. |
Teajay,
The MZ2 is still amazing me as an integrated amp. Purity, clarity, blackest of backgrounds, amazing tone, very dynamic, amazing bass........what more could one want? Well.....maybe a tad bit more texture and air.....the meat on the bones you refer to. I'm currently using NOS 40's RCA 12SN7's with NOS 50's RCA 12AT7's. I have a pair each of NOS TungSol round plate and KenRad 12SN7's with a pair of NOS 40's Mullard 12AT7's on order. Any idea which of these might provide some of that meat on the bones? I'm sure the Mullards will add some of their famous warm tone. Any other tube suggestions would be appreciated. I figure I'll play around with tube rolling in the MZ2 until/if I get an amp. The Triode Lab 2A3 FFX seems like a winner to me, especially since it fits into my budget.
Thanks |
Teajay,
I believe all of the TungSol 12SN7 round plates are black glass.....or carbonized glass. But yes, mine will be black glass. I can't take any credit for ordering nice tubes, they were all suggestions from Andy at Vintage Tube Services. I'll have them tomorrow. Can't wait.
I can see where you are coming from regarding adding a SET amp for that little bit of extra tube magic. I could be quite happy sticking with just the MZ but at times yearn for that extra meat on the bones. Besides, getting a 2A3 amp gives me more opportunity for tube rolling and Andy has some super sweet NOS 40's RCA 2A3's just waiting for me :) |
Deadfan23,
The DI's are amazing and would work in your room but Eric's advise would be best to go on. I don't know of anyone that's actually heard the Ulfberhts but something tells me they will be out of this world. Since the Ulfberhts are from Eric's PMD line and labeled as the ultimate reference speaker I'd lean towards them over the 1812's but I'm sure there are things the 1812's can do better than the Ulfberhts for certain types of music and listening levels. I think Eric will be getting asked about the differences between the Ulfberhts and the 1812's. He will steer you in the right direction.
iamasif,
im using Herbie Audio giant threaded gliders with great success. They sure make moving the DI's much easier. |
Iamasif,
the di's will improve with and every improvement made to components or room. Making a dedicated listening room really showed off what my DI's can do. As good as your DI's sound now, you'll be very pleased hearing them in your new room once you get them positioned properly and the room treated correctly. With all the bass they can put out I found installing floor to ceiling bass traps in each corner to be very beneficial. Good luck getting your room finished and take a towel with you to wipe off the ear to ear grin you'll have on your face when hearing them in it :)
teajay,
i dont know if I'll ever be able to afford the Ulfberhts but I very much look forward to your review of them. As good as the DI's are, and I find it difficult to believe anything could be a lot better, I believe the Ulfberhts are going to blow your mind. You were honored being the first person to review the DI's and Ulfberhts just as I was to own the first pair of DI's made.....wish I could say the same regarding the Ulfberhts!
i recieve my TungSol round plates and KenRad 12SN7's along with the 40's Mullard 12AT7's next Tuesday. I can't wait to try them in the MZ2 and share the results here. I'm sure I'll eventually get the Triode Labs 2A3 SET but I'm having too much fun driving the DI's with MZ2 right now. What a bargain combo....the $2k MZ2 with the $3k DI's........just add a source and you have audio nirvana! Thanks for the heads up on using the MZ2 as an integrated amp with the DI's.. |
Looks like some exciting times at Tekton. Does Eric ever sleep? Lots to respond to here.
Teajay, thanks for the update and keep us posted as the 300B gets more time on it. Also, thanks for the tweeter array explanation. That makes so much sense. I always wondered how Eric could make such an efficient four way speaker. Allowing the ring of tweeters to handle much of the midrange is definitely thinking outside the box. Kudo's to Eric.
333jeffrey, you have the Ulfberhts on order? Sweet! Can't wait to hear your impressions. I find it hard that any speaker could be marginally better than the DI's but something tells me the Ulfberhts will be.......and that's saying A LOT!
vitop, thanks for sharing all that info. A mini Ulfberht already? The mad speaker scientist never stops! I don't know if anyone has ever heard the DI SE's or Ulfberhts and there's already a mini Ulfberht on the way. I am so content with my DI's I can't image getting another speaker but should I come into some extra money id love to try one of the Ulfberhts.
The BHK has very similar sound characteristics of the Linear Tube Audio MZ2. Super clear, detailed, fast, dynamic, great bass, holographic and musical. I'm hoping my new tubes arrive tomorrow so that I can start rolling. The DI's work well with such transparent equipment as they are able to replicate whatever is thrown their way. |
Vitop,
i honestly dont know how Eric does it. If doesn't actually perform every part of the speakers construction, he's at least involved in it. The cabinets are built by someone else I believe but Eric gets his hands into everything else. On top of that he personally answers the phone, at least all the times I've called. His new assistant might be his new wife.....they were married last December.
A new subwoofer design too? You're getting all kinds of treats! Please let us know all about your speakers and subs when you get them. |
If you have trouble uncrating them Jeffrey let me know and I'll be right over to help.......uncrate them into my truck, that is ;) Seriously though, it shouldn't be too bad. I got the Legacy Focus SE's in place by myself and they weigh as much as the Ulfberhts. I used a hand cart to get the boxed speakers into my room, which included slowly sliding them down a set of stairs, unboxed them laying on their sides, slid them out and stood them up. Where there's a will there's a way and hearing the Ulfberhts would create a lot of will! I'm very much looking forward to your impressions. I think you're in for a real treat, my friend. |
Vitop,
the Focus SE's were very nice but I prefer the DI's and sold the Focus.......which actually surprised me as I didn't think the DI's were actually going to outperform the much more expensive SE's. I was planning on using the DI's in my theater system but they firmly entrenched in my two channel system. I'll get some Tekton Enzo 2.7's for my theater.
On an unrelated note I rolled in the TungSol round plate, black glass 12SN7's with some 40's Mullard 12AT7's into the LTA MZ2. Damn, they sound good. They added just enough warm texture and smoothness for my liking. They may be a tad bit slower with slightly less attack than the RCA's I had, but I love the natural tone and texture given to vocals and instruments. It's more realistic sounding to my ears. I believe Teajay's assertion that adding a SET amp adds even more musicality but I'm more than happy sticking with this one watt wonder of an integrated amp with these gorgeous vintage tubes. I'm sure I'll take the SET amp dive someday but I'll revel in the sound I'm getting now for a while first. I still have to try the KenRad 12SN7's but I'm enjoying the TungSols too much right now.
Thanks for for all of your suggestions regarding the DI's and MZ2 Teajay! |
Might want to do a recount jetter......at least 25 Tekton owners on this thread. If you really want to hear from a lot more go to the Tekton Owners thread at AK....over 100 pages from Tekton owners! We are just getting started here :)
I realize we may be a bit over zealous about our Tektons but we have good reason for doing so......as do many other speaker brand owners. |
Kenny,
the little MZ2 is going to shock you. Every time I look at that tiny black box hooked up to the Goliath DI's I shake my head in disbelief......how can something so small drive something so large so well? |
Thanks for such a thorough and enlightening review Walter. Like you I find something magical about the DI's that keeps drawing me in. My comparison with the Legacy Focus SE was easy for me as dynamics play an important part in my listening enjoyment and I've not heard a speaker yet that beats the DI in that department......yet I'm sure they are out there. What makes the DI so special to me is that it's so much more than a dynamic speaker. The immersive wall of sound they create draws me into the music. Your Daedelus/DI battle sounds neck and neck but given more time I believe the DI's will win out.....they are addictive! With the automotive paint I find the DI's to be attractive but obviously not the furniture grade look that Daedelus does so well. I have a WyWires PowerBroker that Daedelus builds the body for, sweet wood work. My Legacys were done in Ash Burl and that was difficult to give up.
Good luck choosing coming to your final decision, it's not easy I know. The good news is that no matter your choice you'll end up with an amazing pair of speakers. I must admit that one of my biggest hurdles to overcome when choosing the DI's over the Legacys was price. How could a speaker at nearly a quarter of the price sound better? I'm so glad I chose the DI's, especially since I'm having so much fun driving them with the one watt LTA MZ2......musical bliss. |
Chris,
i concur with Charles, "breath of life" is the best description of that emotionally involving sound as I've ever heard. I'm getting very close to that sound but don't think I'm quite there yet. Thanks again for sharing your results with us in such an eloquent fashion and have fun with your Ulysses and DI's!
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David, I too am exclusively listening to Redbook CD and am very happy with it. |
mazikrav,
you had me at disputadem.......my Latin is much less than rusty, it's nearly nonexistent!
when ordering my DI's Eric mentioned that Brilliance was amazing but knowing my preference for dynamics thought the DI's would be better for me. Eric has a speaker for just about any application and sound preference, glad to hear you're enjoying your Brilliance .........but NEVER say they sound better than the DI's! Sacrilegious! Just kidding obviously. Sounds like you have a system that's bringing you lots of musical enjoyment. I envy you living so close to Tekton, have you heard the Ulfberhts? Inquiring minds need to know. |
My DI's mostly play acoustical jazz, female vocals ( jazz, contemporary, blues/folk/rock blend) and live recordings of genres from Sinatra to Holly Cole to Cowboy Junkies to Sarah Jarouz to The Chieftains to The Wailin' Jenny's to.....you get the idea.
While the Ulfberhts are out of my price range also and I'm totally happy with my DI's I'd love to hear them someday.......even if I'm secretly hoping they aren't much better sounding than what I already have ;) |
