@ recluseI ran a similar test with my DI's. I had strong response down to 30hz (cabinet tuning frequency) with a dip from around 50hz. I suspect this was a function of my room/preferred speaker/listening position more than anything. I am surprised you did not get more low end extension as my speakers are well out into the room. ? your amp.
@snovosel The DI's are very flexible regarding amplifier choice. Yes, a tube amp with a high output impedance could be hit or miss depending on your taste, room, etc. I find that my DI's perform beautifully with my SS Marantz Reference gear. The sound is very well sorted out, crescendos have great control and impact, and it just draws me into the music. I would never characterize the sound as cold or clinical--quite the contrary. Very musical and with emotion. I have also used several PP tube amps with great results. My preference would be dictated by the type of music/recording to be honest.
Would love to try a nice 300b SE integrated. I'm sure I would love it with some music, but suspect I would miss the low end impact and control of SS.
So it's hard to go wrong. Suggest you start with the type of amp that has brought you the most pleasure based on your past experience.
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totalwex,I use to DI's with a pair of Hsu sealed subs to very good effect. I have not heard the monitors but I can tell you that you will get better bottom octave coverage using the subs. If the monitor option allows you to better optimize speaker placement (i.e. to give them breathing room) that is what I would do. If you could optimally place either speaker, the DI's alone would keep many happy (but in my room drop off rapidly below 30hz).
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Had been away for a few days. Just when it appeared things were slowing down and 5000 posts looked distant on the horizon--67 new posts! Wow.
Much of the credit goes to Eric. As he stated long ago he is "driven to create" and now jcarcopo shares the new Encore with us. Sounds like a great speaker. Love the notion of so may tweeter never breaking a sweat. That just does so many good things for the sake of the music. Just wish it didn't weigh in at 175#!
Last night was in the mood for some music of my youth, so in went Genesis/A Trick of the Tail. I was amazed for effortlessly the DI's reproduce whatever you throw at them. Better yet was the sound stage--great height and width way beyond the confines of the speaker. This from a 40 year old recording! What a bargain these speakers have been.
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This is the stuff that makes this thread so much fun! Thanks David.
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@craigl59 sorry to let you down. Had a late dinner.
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Why all of a sudden do I feel 7 tweeters are not enough?
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@ jcarcopo
Actually I'm very happy for you and am quite serious about the tweeter issue. While many have scoffed at Eric's patent, I will say this---when implemented correctly, there is a big advantage to having low mass tweeters cover an unprecedented number of octaves. As stated before, the drivers are virtually never pushed or stressed. So that liquid, smooth yet detailed sound is readily achieved without resorting to silly expensive drivers. No aoplogies jcarcopo nor do I doubt your impressions of this new speaker.
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@pts fully agree with previous post. Just order up. I can't imagine you could go wrong unless your room has some unusual acoustic issues. I find listening in an unfamiliar room/components only gets me so far in deciding on what will work for me. I've been at this for over 40 yrs and this is the single best purchase I have made. The value here is very high. On the very off chance they are not for you, you're out the return shipping.
Still not convinced? Then let me restate what lpreretiring said. Take a vaca to Utah, see some spectacular National Parks, and demo the Tekton line. (But you still won't know about how they sound in your room!)
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@triumphtt02
Glad this all worked out so well for you. Your experience parallels many of ours where we did our research and then took that leap of faith and were rewarded for doing so. This underscores the issue brought up just recently on the previous page. The feedback and reviews on these speakers has been so consistent that it is, IMO, easy to just order up and let the fun begin. Some, I know, really feel the need to audition first. But if that is not possible, the bigger risk is in missing out on a great speaker, not returning them!
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Marty,Go ahead and get a bit excited. The adrenaline rush will come in handy when you have to lift these big boys!They will sound good out of the box and will only become more liquid and effortless as they break in.
Keep us posted on your experience.
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@yakbob Back around 50 pages ago, that very question was asked. Several individuals moved their DI's up against the front wall just to see how things would be affected and I was a bit shocked that they felt the music held up pretty well. I think David made a helpful suggestion regarding the ports. In the end, you just have to give it a try.
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@snovosel Nice informative post. I do have a question. How do the TM's compare to the DI's in terms of sound stage height? Also, can you tell us a bit about your room and seat placement? Thanks.
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@snovosel Nice post. I read your post on AudioCircle where you upgraded your Spatials to the TM’s. If I read you correctly you seemed to be a bit underwhelmed and were ready to go "back to the drawing board."So I am assuming your last two posts represent that effort.
Now you seem very taken with the TM’s despite using the same PL electronics you had before. So was it by way of comparison you realized just how good the TM’s really are? Not being at all critical here--just trying to understand what changed your opinion.
Lastly, it would be helpful if you could comment on imaging/sound stage of the DI’s vs the TM’s. While I won’t be parting with my DI’s, I have a second system that I have considered the TM’s for. They would be driven by a PL HP integrated. In particular, how does the height of the stage compare to the DI’s. Thanks.
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@mac48025
Good to hear from you Tom and glad you are still happy with your system. I'm still very much enjoying my DI's but dang, I agree, the Encores do tempt. My second system could be a great fit with the new Perfect SET's. Great minds think alike.....or suffer the same affliction!Any new tweaks to your system?
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Glad you guys found a great match for your Tektons.@bullit5094 I suspect you have posted this prior, but curious what other amps you tried with your Tektons.
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@lpretiring Interesting observation. Really great systems continue to please over time. Most of us in this hobby are prone to looking--it's human nature. But when I sit down and listen to the system I have assembled with my DI's, I am always amazed what great sound and value this system has. It's only gotten better over time.
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Thanks David. Perhaps my only claim to semi-fame. Not that I had much to do with it. I just asked the question--and you know the rest. Thanks to all that have made this thread informative and so much fun!
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I can't imagine an interface problem with your amp. Some have enjoyed the DI's with as little as a 1 watt preamp! So this is an easy to drive speaker. As has been said many times over the course of this long thread, if you love the sound of that amp, the DI's will let it's voice shine through.
If memory serves me, I believe there were several posts very early on in this thread that compared the DI's with the GE's. I recall the DI's being the preferred speaker. In fact, go to the Tekton web site and I'm pretty sure you'll see someone who did a comparison as well. As you might imagine, the DI's came out on top.
Yes, for the money they are killer and I do not know of a speaker at this price that does so many things so well.
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Wow, talk about the ultimate Tekton-fest! There's not Beryllium in your future is there David??
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Given the height of the speaker, the closest thing to a stand might by various platforms or footers. Too bad this long thread doesn't have an index of some sort! Some have used Sistrum platforms, Herbies Gliders, Gaia footers, generic spikes, Soundocity steel outriggers, among other devices. teajay was very enthusiastic about the Sistrum products. You might contact him.
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Thanks for the "better late than never response" snovosel!
I could not agree more with your way of thinking when it comes to auditioning equipment in your own listening space. You can read and research all you want but until you try that speaker in your own system and room you will never really know will you? That’s not to say I did not gain a l lot of confidence to pull the trigger on the DI’s via this thread and others. You actually can get much valuable information that way. For me, it let’s me know what might be worthy of an audition. But until that product is in your own room you never really know. As I’ve stated before, a demo with strange equipment in a strange room also only carries me so far. That’s why I was never stressed by not being able to audition the DI’s.
The other comment you made that resonates with me is room set up and acoustic treatments. For me, that is where the magic (or sometimes frustration) occurs. I hear more significant changes here than with the majority of other changes I might make in my system.
Glad the TM’s finally worked out for you and I appreciate hearing about your journey! |
@ mofojo
david_ten is in a good position to comment on your question. You may want to get in touch with him.
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Mac, might be on my radar. It would be nice to meet you guys. Send me a PM on when you were thinking and your location. Just make sure it's not when the Wolverines are playing!
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@david_ten Funny on the timing of things David. I have a secondary system as well with a PL Dialogue HP (granted, not quite the SET direction you are venturing into) currently driving VSA VR-33's. While not unhappy with the 33's, I really am curious about the Tekton Perfect SET creation. So why don't you order up and get back to me! Just kiddin--kind of. Was thinking might be nice to spec some upgraded caps, add a short stand (see link) and then a nice custom color to maintain spousal harmony. What do you think? https://deercreekaudio.com/p/custom-stands |
@david_ten
So what 2A3 amp did you pick up David?
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Wow. That is one serious effort David. I'm sure when you get that system together it will be special indeed. I'll be curious to see what preamp and speakers you end up going with. And I'm sure your SE's will get to spend some time with this amp as well. Keep us posted.
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David, I am sure you will be doing a very thorough search into what speakers will show off your new amps best. Will be very curious indeed what speakers make the final cut. Keep us posted.
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@iclickjohn
Things will only get better in time! Glad you are enjoying your new DI's and am confident they will continue to bring you much listening pleasure. What power tubes are you running in the PL?
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It really is quite impressive to see the diversity of Eric's speaker line and the high level at which each performs.
On an off topic note, unlike last year, I think my biking mileage topped the DI post total to date for this year.Corelli--3,014 milesDI Thread--less than that
The fall weather in Michigan has been lousy. But there was a window of opportunity yesterday am. But that meant I had to leave in darkness at 6:30 am to complete a 60 mile ride. Full moon, a brighter Venus than I've ever seen. Gorgeous. (Yes, I've got serious lighting on my bike.) Temp 28 degrees with wind chill in the low teens. Lots of layers for this ride! Anyway, it's good to have the 3k monkey off my back.
Back to your regularly scheduled program.
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Nice bike Bill. A bit envious but happy for you!
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Wow, where do you find the time for it all Bill?? It's interesting how many bicyclers there are on this thread. What bike are you riding?
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Good to hear from old friends on this thread. I would agree with all that has been said. @2spyop, you won't go wrong with the DI, DI SE. The Moabs will exceed budget by $500. Wish I had the ability to tell you I have heard them side by side. I prefer, in theory, the simplified crossover of the Moab over the DI SE. I suspect the purity of the Moab is very special. Only wonder if there is any loss of mid-bass impact vs the SE's?
As you may know, I owned the Magnepan 1.7's and loved that speaker. It is a special transducer. But it took little time for me to find the DI to be an overall superior transducer. I found the DI to have more accurate imaging and sound staging. Detail was better. Obviously the DI had superior low end extension, dynamics, and surprisingly, was just as coherent to my ears.
I think you will love the flexibility the Tektons offer regarding amplifiers. And I really do not think you will have any desire to return them--so I really would not factor that much into the equation. Eric offers tremendous value directly marketing and something has to give to maintain his margin. So the inability to audition and return to a local dealer is a small price to pay for a huge value. I'll take that any day.
Keep us posted. |
Thanks for the link David. It's remarkable how with such consistency people describe the attributes of the DI's. Everything comment made by Billy resonates with all of us who have enjoyed these speakers so much. He was a fun guy to listen to. Just had to smile. |
I can't speak with certainty on this--you would have to ask Eric. My guess is that his design has little to do with prior design work using multiple tweeter arrays. Eric's work is unique--and very special indeed. He thinks outside the box, he is driven to design--not to copy prior efforts. Just check out the vast array and variety of speakers he offers. Hardly someone content with last years work. |
That's the "driven to design" thing! |
I agree, the metal perf grills would be a big plus for those in need. The factory grills aesthetically are lacking. Much prefer the speakers without grills. But if I were to move my DI's into my secondary system, those curved metal grills would be the ticket for sure. Might be worth checking with SVS and see where they source their grills. Hopefully not China.
Great question. Keep us posted with what you find out. |
@lee59 It would be nice if long threads had a better way to search topics within them. 1,623 posts ago (just kiddin) this was touched upon. I run a pair of Hsu ULS-15 MK2 DualDrive (2 ULS-15 MK2) subs. My DI's, in my room, were reaching down to the lower 30hz range. I wanted things flat down to just below 20hz and the Hsu's accomplished that very nicely. I have had no integration issues. The sound is tight and effortless. For me they hit the nail squarely on the head and they are an extremely high value item--just like the DI's! |
@david_ten
Hey David, I was just wondering where you were at in your speaker search.
So, what are your priorities in the sound you are after and what are you willing to give up? (there's always a compromise, right?) It seems Eric can work some magic with less than sophisticated drivers. (Not that measurements tell the whole story, but have you ever seen a flatter FR curve than that of DI monitor is Stereophile??) I am not of the opinion that top drawer drivers guarantee much. You can have a great filet mignon in the fridge but it only becomes special in the kitchen. I mentioned once that a speaker I built using then top of the line drivers (scanspeak revelator/aircirc tweeters) was only good. I actually derived more enjoyment out of some vifa drivers using a series crossover. The Vifa build has some magic in that simple crossover and the end result was quite beguiling.
So I would of course get Erics input on the virtues of the drivers he has worked with. I would also wonder on putting more money into the crossover and cabinet damping as well. The crossover could be a more cost effective avenue to look at, especially given the fact it's part count has to be lower than that of the DI's that Bill took on.
Keep us posted on what you find out!
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David, I doubt you are flailing, but the choice is tough. You have a great primary system with very few shortcomings. That is a real luxury that affords you the opportunity to focus on something very special in your 2A3 based system. I mentioned the give and take we are all faced with. So given the strengths of your primary system, it would be very easy for me to give up bass extension for example if I could make gains in immediacy, transparency, and as you said an emotional connection with the music. Your gravitation towards a single full range driver IMO makes good sense. I once put together a Fostex fe167e full ranger in a 0.5cf BR enclosure and was shocked how nice it sounded. Paid special attention to frame damping and it produced a surprisingly smooth sound with no "shout". Nice, full, balanced sound with a fantastic sound stage. Very natural. Now some will go on about the limitations and compromises of full rangers. But that's exactly the point. Making the right compromises that will let your new amp shine. And when you need to listen to full scale works you know what to do!
So, as much as I would love to hear your take on the Tekton Perfects, and I'm sure they would be a great choice, it is also good to consider other options that will allow your 2A3 to do what it does best.
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Burt,
Not aware of any other factory upgrades you ought to opt for. You are in for a treat---I'm sure your new Di's will deliver the goods!
The only other thought might be what footers you opt for. Many different options here.
I remember how hard it was to order up a $3300 speaker I had never heard. In retrospect, this was the biggest no-brainer purchase I have ever made. Please let us know if you feel you didn't get your monies worth! (or, more likely, how much you are enjoying your new speakers)
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Congrats Burt. Post a pic when your system is together. |
If you go to the home page, Explore, Virtual Systems you can post your system. |
@2psyop
I agree with jcarcopo. If you are frugal (nothing wrong with that and one more reason you should consider Tekton) I would cross the Be tweeters off my list. Better to spend the extra $500 towards the Moabs over the SE/Be upgrade in my mind. Nothing wrong with a trip to Chicago or elsewhere for an auditon but nothing will replace an audition in your listening space. |
While this post may now fall on deaf ears (heaven forbid that thought--let's go with blind eyes) I was curious if any of past regulars on this thread are gong to AXPONA this year. |
@teajay Thanks for the very kind offer teajay. Sorry I didn't see your post earlier--been a bit busy. I plan on coming in early Saturday for AXPONA and leaving Sunday. I'll be traveling with my wife so let me talk it over and get back to you. Thanks! |
The price change on the DI SE's was really not a surprise given the ever expanding Tekton line. In particular, the Encores forced the lower price on the SE's.
I hope SE owners don't become too troubled by this. Let's face it, we all have been spoiled by the great value these speakers offer. That, for sure, has not changed.
Nice to see a flurry of posts on our long in the tooth thread!
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Oh boy. The Moab may further shake things up. I love the idea of all those tweeters. I love the price. But my back beckons me to think over the 185#! |
Would be curious if anyone has a chance to listen to the Moabs. This seems like another extremely high value offering. It offers what I assume is a simpler crossover which might offer some advantages. It's weight is not as high as what I originally thought but it does visually dwarf the DI on Eric's video. Will look for the pending review that david_ten noted.
Looks like someone started a Moab thread which was removed--no doubt due to the likes of __________.
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Looking forward to it teajay. No one is in a better position to comment on how this compares to Tektons other models. |
