I have dedicated audio room 14.5x20.5x9 ft. Currently have Marantz Reference CD/Intergrated paired to Magnepan 1.7's with REL T-7 subs. For the vast majority of music I love this system. The only nit pick is that it is lacking/limited in covering say below 35 hz or so. For the first time actually buzzed the panel with an organ sacd. Bummer. Thought of upgrading subs to rythmicks but then I will need to high pass the 1.7's. Really don't want to deal with that approach.
Enter the Double Impacts. Many interesting things here. Would certainly have a different set of strengths here. Dynamics, claimed bottom octave coverage in one package, suspect a good match to current electronics.
I've read all the threads here so we do not need to rehash that. Just wondering if others out there have FIRST HAND experience with these or other Tekton speakers
Jcarcopo, Certainly there’s the Spector of synergy to factor in. Benchmark DAC with your Diavolo is a good match. Perhaps an all Benchmark signal chain is a different story. Numerous variables and possibilities to contemplate as always with audio.
I wish I could send you my Coincident Statement Line Stage to try with the Diavolo. My suspicion is it’d be a very good match and send an excellent signal to your Encores. Exceptional resolution and transparency coupled with a beautiful organic presentation. Charles
@charles1dad i deleted that last post. It would appear I connected the right channel output to the HPA4 Mono output intended for subwoofer by mistake. So I was getting cancelation that was causing the awful sound.
I will update with an accurate assessment after I lick my wounds for being a fool.
I would like to add to this thread eventhough it has passed its prime and will likely fall proverbially unheard.
It is true that these speakers(standard 4 ohm Tekton DI's with upgrade) will mate with many types of amps(see prior posts of SET and micrZOTL use)
I was particularly impressed with their sensitivity and the level of detail that I had not heard before so I began searching for a replacement amp to replace my B&K ex442 sonata, which still works well.
I home demo'd numerous amps: Carey, Vincent, Sophia, Pass Labs, Atmasphere, LTA, and Primaluna.Each of these had some positives and negatives that had to be weighed and many of them sounded very good at lower and equal price points,however one did not
and was still $$$.
The Atsmasphere M60's stood out considerably, above all the other amps in SQ. They may not be for everybody as an OTL, especially for a set of 4 ohm speakers, but with my set up in a smallish room I have been extremely impressed with them and the AS/OTL
topology. Without a doubt, they sounded the best. As a bonus, you get RK for CS :-)
My impressions of the DI ($3300 vers.) after bringing in in one fell swoop $45k+ worth of gear to demo (which included Martin Logan ESL-X and Motion 40, B&W 702 S2, Spatial Audio M3 Triode Masters, Polk Audio RT600i, Pass Labs XA25, Linear Tube Audio Zotl40 and MicroZotl, Prima Luna HP Premium DiaLogue separate power and preamp [outfitted w/ various configurations of stock EL34, Mullard, TeleF, Brimar, Cifte, RCA, and Amperex 12Au7s], Peachtree Nova 300, and McIntosh MA-252, among other misc IC accessories, with content delivered via two 3D tonearms outfitted with separate Cadenza mono and Dynavector XX-2 MkII stereo carts via a SoundSmith MCP2 on a VPI Prime, Pioneer Elite SACD, and Bluesound Node 2 fed Tidal MQA):
- The DIs are nice sounding speakers, and I liked what I heard, but in my space, my content, and for my listening preferences they could not match up to the M3 Triode Masters which, with my component chain, deliver a much more lively sonic experience. So the DIs were returned. The TMs also proved to be FAR more versatile than the DI/ML/BWs in terms of placement.
- When compared side-by-side to the B&Ws, it was obviously apparent to me and the other reviewers that the Bowers provide a much clearer, more articulate and vividly real vocal presentation than the DIs and ESL-X, regardless of content. That difference was significantly less noticeable when compared to the TMs but it was still apparent (and for my listening pleasure not worth spending another $4-5k to move up the Bowers model line -- at least not at the moment -- even for a demo. I now understand why Bowers’ enjoy the accolades it’s received over the years).
- The DIs and ESL-X presented a much wider and seemingly fuller sound stage than did the Bowers, but the TMs provided the widest, deepest, discernibly "palpable" images and most aurally convincing experience.
- I underestimated the size of the DIs and in that regard my demo may not have been a fair fight. The DIs are nearly twice the size in total volume when compared to the other speakers demoed.
- The DIs were the Eric-recommended speakers for my space.
- In the end, the primary lesson I learned from my demo experience is how significant a part the listening room plays in creating a sensation that turns mere music playback into something more.
- The second lesson I learned is how sitting positions affect listening observations. For example, we were all startled when the "old" pair of Polk Audio rt600i towers sounded to us equally as "good" as the DIs but we had to sit on the floor when listening to the Polks to get that sensation (as opposed to sitting on a chair to demo the DI).
A special thanks to Terry London at HomeTheaterReview.com, Gene DellaSala at Audioholics.com, Kevin Deal at Upscale Audio, and Mark Schneider at Linear Tube Audio for their direction which informed my efforts.
I do want to say that even though the PrimaLuna power/pre components sounded "best", I would have absolutely NO qualms about switching over to the Linear Tube Audio gear. In fact, I found that I didn’t even need the ZOTL 40 to power any of the speakers -- the MicroZOTL was capable of delivering the goods on its own. I am definitely keeping my eye on ZOTL for future needs.
Again, my impressions above are FWIW. And if anyone ever gets near the Philly area and wants to stop by for a demo, give me a heads up and I’ll try to accommodate.
@snovosel +1 Wonderful example of going about the 'process' thoroughly and getting the feedback you were looking for regarding your system choices and room. Great to hear the Triode Masters checked all of your boxes. Congratulations and thanks for sharing your impressions and findings and more.
@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.
For that “much more lively sonic experience“ you might want to hear the DI SE. I feel that’s a good description. I have heard the Spatial Audio M3 Triode Masters during the short time they were at Linear Tube Audio and I agree they are impressive.
If you liked the Linear Tube Audio MZ2 and ZOTL40 then you have to hear the UltraLinear and the new MicroZOTL Pre. This combination is in another sonic league. They must be used together and they make the DI SE sing like angels from heaven.
@snovosel It's amazing the length you went to to find the right equipment. I was wondering if you could share a bit more your impressions on the amps. How did the new XA25 stack to the rest of the gear? What made the Primalunas stand out above the rest? How did you find the low powered amps driving large, not super efficient towers?
I hesitate to say anything because if my impressions don’t measure up to what appears to be the consensus of others, I start to wonder that maybe I’ve done something "wrong" when auditioning. But because you’ve asked, FWIW, here goes.
I brought in the Pass Labs XA25 because Terry London had written how much of an impression it made on him with his chain/room/etc (as compared to the Linear Tube Audio) so I was curious to see if it would have an impact on my listening configuration. As you probably know, in addition to the myriad differences in his vs my chain he uses the more expensive Tekton speaker.
When asked, Eric suggested that I might try either a Parasound or Peachtree Nova amp because apparently others had reported "success" with those products. I couldn’t get a Parasound in as quickly as I would have liked but had no problem getting the Peachtree within a few days.
Many people report being impressed with Pass Labs products; and the XA25 is reported by some to be the closest thing to the "tube" sound that an SS amp can get. It just didn’t play out that way for us. Yes it delivered a pleasant rendering of our selected content but when swapping between it and the PrimaLuna or the McIntosh or the LTA it was so obviously apparent how it renders noise differently. With the XA in the chain, playback seemed "flatter" than with the pure tube or hybrid. It wasn’t "bad" but it wasn’t as expressively "palpable" (to quote Terry London) as the PL or Mc or LTA gear. Believe me when I say that we spent A LOT of time with the XA25 trying so many configurations in our attempt to reproduce what others reported.
It’s probably important to stress that I prefer a bouncy, sponge-like rendition when I hear content. To me it’s that "sponginess" that makes performances seem more palpable. When a drum head is hit, the sensation I want is not only to feel the depression but also the skin bounce back -- the warble. That gets me engaged physically and emotionally. This was the key element that differentiated the Triode Masters. They can deliver the warble with effectively convincing imaging and the others could not. No doubt by design, the Triode Masters pressurized our room in such a distinctive manner that to us was and is seductive. This is the sound that I’ve been chasing. The result was true regardless of the chain components but clearly more pronounced with PrimaLuna in the middle.
[All the speakers we heard gave varying degrees of "warble" but the TMs deliver it in spades. When finished, we all just looked at each other, shook our heads and said, "There’s no comparison". What’s more, the TMs can deliver warble almost anywhere in our room. They are a placement dream. The others were very finicky placement-wise so much so that I would call them one-dimensional in this regard.]
In our chain, the Peachtree was the worst of the amp bunch and left a bad impression on all of us. It detracted instead of augmented.
If we were to rate amps in terms of the "warble" factor from highest to lowest (when paired with the TMs) it’s PL, LTA, Mc, XA, PT.
With respect to how we heard the PLs, for us, we know that it’s mostly in the tubes. We didn’t change out what was sent to us in the LTAs even though I tried to find the tubes that Terry London recommended but no one had them in stock (and as of the writing of this reply no vendor has notified me that they have them in stock).
What made the PLs stand out was how it produced a more "meaty" (?) presentation, a more "flesh on the bone" reproduction regardless of the tubes rolled.
To compare: a note got struck on a piano, and with the LTA/Mc/XA it’s there and feels "real". A note got struck on a piano, and with the PLs it’s there but it felt "much more real", more tangible. When we heard it on the PL it conjured up a vivid image of a decaying oscillating string. It was as though we were standing at the back of the instrument looking down actually watching the decay (as opposed to sitting in front of the piano watching it get played but only hearing strings get plucked. Yes we heard decay but it felt two-dimensional by comparison). Maybe for others this is too subtle a distinction to matter. But because we weren’t able to ignore it, we all noted it. So the PLs gave us that "looking inside" impression and did it with all content. Again, it did it with the benefit of the TM’s deep warble.
Everything that we brought in (with Peachtree as the lone exception) was capable of delivering a satisfying aural experience. I know that if I heard these components in isolation without benefit of comparison I probably would have been happy to have any of them. Yet they wouldn’t have "nailed it" for me. I would have been left with that lingering "What if?" or "How about?" So I felt the need to do what I did to resolve any doubts once and for all (in the price range that I wanted to spend). It was a great learning experience that clarified A LOT of things about audio and audio claims.
I would end this note by saying that what I’ve written barely touches the tip of our evaluation iceberg. We also tried a variety of ICs and speaker cables and that was a great learning experience too. In addition, we spoke to many manufacturers and vendors, and that too was quite an interesting experience on its own.
@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.
Hello everyone. Long time, no post but I'm happy to see things still active here.
Its no surprise Eric has been busy and I see two new speakers, the Encore's and the Perfect SET's. I want both! Thankfully I'm VERY happy with my SE's with Aric Audio's 300B SET and Linestage..........but damn those Encores look enticing. Thanks a lot Jonathan! Lol.
I still have some catching up to do on the thread but it's good to see the same crowd here sharing their experiences in this wonderfully crazy world of audio.
@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?
Has anyone ever posted as to the drivers used in the Double Impact SEs? I ask because I own a pair of Enzo 2.7s and have always wanted better resolution and transparency in the treble. Seems to me there's no reason why the upgraded tweeter used in the DI-SE could not be employed in the Enzo 2.7. Am I correct?
Thanks for putting up the review on Aric's new amplifier. He really builds beautiful sounding gear at such reasonable prices. This amplifier sounded great with the Tekton speakers.
Thank you so much for the kind words- and also for sharing the review here. As to not encroach on hijacking this excellent thread, I try and keep my posts to a minimum- but I wanted to say "Thank you" to everyone that’s posted. Best wishes, Aric
I got the Lyngdorf TDAI 2170 yesterday. It’s fed from the Wyred4Sound music server and wow....it’s stunning. I would never have considered it had it not been for this thread. Thank you all for your input...heck, I wouldn’t own these speakers if it weren’t for this thread.
Welcome to the Lyngdorf/Tekton family. I tried a number of amps with Tektons and the Lyngdorf bested all. I now have the Lyngdorf powering a pair of Ulfberhts. I find that an amazing combination. I hope you enjoy yours. I agree with "stunning".
I got the Lyngdorf TDAI 3400 yesterday and put it in my system right away to power the DI SEs. I fed it first from the OPPO UDP-205 and played some CDs and then from Roon Nucleus+ to listen to some Tidal/Roon streamed music. Even though the Lyngdorf is brand new and was only shipped to me two days ago directly from Denmark (yes, over night), without any break in time, I can positively say that it is the best sound I ever heard from my speakers. I did not even get a chance to do any "room perfect" measurements or corrections yet. This was all straight in and out. Today I will get a chance to start playing with it and I can't wait.
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.
Two others who I remember from this thread that preferred the Lyngdorf-Tekton combo over all their other possibilities were Grannyring, and Kdude. Both have subsequently sold their D.I.’s.
With all the positive feedback here and elsewhere pertaining to the Lyngdorf, I have been considering it but was put off when at Axpona again it was a silent display. Wouldn’t it seem that an active display of a room correction device would have a lot to gain at such a venue?
@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.
Needless to say, I will be one very interested observer of how the Lyngdorf TDAI 3400 sounds with your new Tekton Encores. Speaking of which, did they ship yesterday as expected?
Walter, As I’ve written before I believe that you’re enjoying exceptional sound quality with your Double Impact SE and LM 508ia pairing3. Have you given serious consideration to trying the Lyngdorf ?
I believe you have very good ears and taste and think I have a pretty decent feel for what you like.. I’d be very interested in your impressions of this admired component "if" you ever choose to go this route 😊. Charles
I couldn’t help myself. The Ulfs are just too big for our living room, but when Eric unveiled the Encores, I knew I would eventually have to try them! The truth is, I could have lived long term with either the Double Impacts or the SEs. But those Encores are just too enticing to pass up!
@charles1dad
I feel sure that the LM 508ia will be a fantastic match with the Encores, as it was with both the Double Impacts and the Double Impact SEs. If I can find a deal on a lightly used Lyngdorf, I think it would be great fun to bring it in and compare the sonic landscapes of my system driven by these two excellent--but very different--amps. I swore I’d never abandon tubes again after my failed foray with the Devialet--and I probably won’t--but then again, there are a lot of guys here, very experienced audiophiles, who are over moon with the Lyngdorf, which also appears to have excellent synergy with Tekton speakers. It’s hard not to be curious...the eternal curse of the audiophile. :)
Thanks corelli and Charles.......yes, I'm very happy with my system and yes, I suffer from the affliction of being tempted with something different. Having so many great options is a good thing but having a system you're very happy and content with is a great thing.
Seems like the same names keep coming up with regards to sounding great with Tektons. Aric Audios new KT special sure is intriguing as is the Lyngdorf as many seem very happy with it. Two totally different designs achieving great results, got to love it.
Think I'll stick with my Aric 300B but get the caps upgraded to Duelunds. I'm on the waiting list for the new Western Electric 300B tubes due out in December.....although beating out the the EML XLS will be tough.
Just wanted to share that for the last 48 hours, did not sleep last night, I have been listening to the new Linear Tube Audio full featured, full size chassis, significant internal upgrades/modification to the ZOTL circuit preamplifier.
I knew Mark would not come out with a new linestage unless he and David Berning believed that it would be worth the effort. It is the most beautiful music making preamplifier I have ever had in my reference system! (I started a thread on amps/preamps forum to inform others that might not read this thread with a few more details.)
Because so many have the original Micro-ZOTL piece to drive their amps/DI's I highly recommend you consider this new version as a significant upgrade that will take your system to another level of beautiful music making.
My review for hometheaterreview. com will come out in the next couple of months with all the details. However, if you trust my ears at all you want to hear this piece in your system as soon as you can.
Chris (@Waltersalas), regarding your possible purchase of a Lyngdorf, before doing so I suggest that you contact the manufacturer and ask what the input impedances of its balanced and unbalanced analog inputs are. Those numbers appear to be unspecified for the 3400, while the 2170 has no spec for its unbalanced inputs but a very low 10K figure for its balanced input. Which in turn suggests the possibility that its unbalanced input impedance **might** be only 5K, and if so it would most likely not be a good match for your Allnic H1201 phono stage (1.2K nominal output impedance), and perhaps also for your tube-based Lampizator Atlantic DAC (for which output impedance appears to be unspecified).
Thanks so much for that, Al. As always, you're an invaluable resource. I would imagine if I liked the Lyngdorf, I would sell the Atlantic, but the Allnic phono stage is something else altogether. I will certainly contact Lyngdorf to get more specifics before moving forward.
@waltersalas Well, I would like to come and hear them one day when you get all setup, if you would allow me .The one thing that Lyngdorf RoomPerfect does Extremely well , is the Bass and the time Domain. I am much closer to you than Dan.
The 2170 has a separate high quality analog input module that can be purchased...I believe. I don’t have it on mine.
@waltersalas Those new speakers are very, very impressive looking to me in terms of the drivers and design. My hunch is they are very special sounding and a nice jump up in SQ from the very good DI family.
@charles1dad Charles, the Lyngdorf fan club is growing by leaps and bounds, it appears. I spent some time reading in the archives today and could barely find a negative word about it. Very impressive testimonials abound. Moreover, it would be a great way to pile up some hours of break-in on my new Encores instead of burning up hours on the tubes in my LM 508ia.
Oh my, how good are we audiophiles at rationalizing what we want?
@grey9hound
Once I get all this sorted out, I will certainly extend an invitation. Love to have you over for a listening session.
@grannyring
Thanks for that info, Bill. Thanks to you and Al, I will be doing my due diligence on the analog aspect of using the Lyngdorf. I do enjoy spinning those records, so I have to get that right if I am going to try one.
@d2girls I played Pandora Plus through my Roku Ultimate (HDMI Out)into OPPO-UDP-203
(it has an HDMI 4K capable input)
.I am using HDMI Audio only out of the OPPO-203 into Mx150 (Oppo 203 has an HDMI Audio Only output) I mention this because it is Really good sound this way. I chose Thumbprint radio station.In doing so hear are some of the artists heard : Organically Good Trio Delvon Lamarr The Bamboos The Meters Stanton Moore Trio Dirk Quinn Chicken Shack The Budos Band The Greyboy Allstars Ripple Groove Melvin Taylor Ju Ju Marcus Miller This is why i like Pandora Plus. I get similar Artists to the one in my search. I am always finding Great new Artists this way. I had never heard of half of those groups They are not necessarily new , but they are new to me . The sound is so good through the Roku and Oppo-UDP-203 , that it amazes me. Oh BTW .For those who do not know ,Thumbprint Radio (station on Pandora) plays anything that you have given a thumbs up to and some new similar artists mixed in .
I use the 2170 with my Electrons and feel it works great. In my opinion as great as the Tekton Electrons speakers are, I feel the 2170 is the most important part to my system.
Anyone in the Cleveland oh area have the DI's or the Electrons and willing to let someone listen to, I am looking to upgrade from a pair of Paradigm studio 80v2 and would like a little more bass for music ( don't like using the sub) wondering if the Electrons would do it DI's I haven't written off but there a little big for my space
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