Question for corelli or anyone else with Tekton DI experience...
Looking at both the Magnepan 1.7i with JL Audio f113 sub and the Tekton DI, maybe SE to upgrade my audio system. When I contacted Tekton directly they told me the DI SE would match well with my system. They did not elaborate on questions about the BE tweeter or upgraded drivers on the SE.
Also, surprisingly, when I asked if I did not like them could I return them to an authorized dealer in Chicago, Audio Archon to avoid expensive shipping and hand deliver them to dealer.... the option was not offered. I have to ship them back to Teckton???
I thought Audio Archon was an authorized dealer? Anyone know about this? What kind of experience has anyone had with the DI or DI SE?
A little information from me. My room is approximately 18.8 feet by 15.5 feet. Ceiling is 9.5 feet high and two walls have windows and blinds, with one wall that is all cork board. It is all shag carpeted. Without treatments the room sounds good, and can be lively.
I have two audio systems that I would like to try the speakers with. One is a Parasound original A21 with Parasound preamp. The other system is a SET tube integrated amp, the Line Magnetic 216ia (about 28-32 watts a side). I currently use the SET amp with Vandersteen 2CE Sig II speakers and the Parasound amp runs Magnepan MMGs. I listen to jazz, blues and acoustical music. Often listen to female vocalists....
I have auditioned the Magenpan 1.7i with a JL Audio f113 subwoofer and although I like the planar sound with the sub, I would prefer not to match a sub to stereo speakers. My main objective is two channel audio listening and enjoyment.
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charles1dad "the Line Magnetic 216ia isn't a SET amplifier. It's a class AB push pull with KT 88 output tubes".
I stand corrected. It is hard to believe the sensitivity of such large speakers can be driven with low tube watts..... not sure what Moab cost would be, but I max out at $4k. Thanks for all the recommendations...
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Corelli
“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 addressing my questions. I was going to drive to Audio Archon in Chicago to hear these speakers but I guess I will have to call first to see if they still carry them? I am like another poster here, I am a budget minded guy, not a big spender. So the appeal of the DI SE is that they appear to be HI-FI (or at least higher end MID-FI) for the blue collar guy. I might have to hear them before I drop the cash because shipping them back would have to cost serious freight charges if, for some reason, I did not like them.
Another question to all, how many tweeters can you have an option to replace with BE? Does the buyer have to replace all with the upgrade? Or can you just have one BE, the rest upgraded or standard tweeters? I never got a response from Tekton on that question. |
Jcarpopo- thanks for the info! I did not know the upgraded tweeters in the SE were scanspeak. I thought? I read somewhere that the drivers Eric using are from parts express?? Maybe since he is not designing his own drivers that really helps keep the cost down. I know the JL Audio F series subwoofers have very high end and in-house designed drivers that are just magnificent in the amount of engineering that went into them. |
It’s a bit sketchy getting info via email. I have asked multiple questions in about 3 emails and will get two or three questions answered. Still don’t know who manufactures the drivers (I think it’s Eminence for the SE?) for either the standard DI or SE and after asking twice about if just one tweeter can be ordered BE instead of all seven, the answer is yes for the SE. For the pair it’s $500 added to base cost. Not sure if I will order a pair, but it’s worth asking questions to see what you might be getting for the money. |
Eric, no problem I can call. I first emailed since that is a form of communication on the tektondesign website. My first email was directed to you, but someone else started answering the questions I had?
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I ordered the SE model and also ordered a color that has an easier WAF. If I can't get them into my living room because my wife doesn't like them, they will go into the audio room (she calls it my man cave).
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Aleutian SW 6241 (Sherwin Williams)
It is a subdued light grey blue
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I was able to email Eric and he answered some questions I had. That's great that he took the time to do that.
But I have two questions for owners.
One, for BE tweeter owners. Does adding a single BE tweeter add to the high end sound or would you have preferred the stock domes?
Two, how do the DI SE sound at low volumes? Does it still retain a good balance of high, low and midrange at lower volumes? |
kitsap2
Thanks for the info. I ended up ordering a pair without the BB tweeter.
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jcs01,
Now that this thread has come back to life a bit maybe other Tekton owners who have had more time with the speakers can chime in and share their own experiences and also talk about that concern. I just use digital sources (streamer and DAC or CD player and DAC) and some digital material sounds better than others. I listen to some older stuff sometimes, like Sinatra, and older Jazz Sax players and that material was not always recorded well, sometimes even mono.
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Jcs01,
Mine are not broken in yet but they sound better every week. One thing I did notice with them was that they tend to reveal more of what is good or bad in my recordings. If I have a terrible recording they sound awful, but when I put on a good recording they sound sublime. So really take your time when they arrive.... and you will see where the name comes from ....double impact. They make a strong impression! I am sure your Hegel will make them sing.
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The DI SE has been a great addition to my stereo. I certainly understand if some don’t like them or even have an issue with Eric. I have not and have had a good experience with the performance of the speakers and the customer service. I hear the complaints but don’t understand because most have not heard the brand or they say they are ugly when, as I have stated before, most speakers have grills. In the end, they are just speakers and I don’t get worked up about stereo equipment…so just enjoy listening to the music.
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