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
Hello folks, I' ve been keeping up with this thread since the beginning. Has anyone with the DI's purchased the 8 ohm version? Also, I see that some of you are running SET 845's, do they run in 4 and 8 ohms? Lastly, can anyone elaborate any differences in sound between 4 or 8 ohm, or advantages to having either. Thanks all, Sully
@david_ten Included in the DI shootout are Spatial Audio M3 Triode Master and B&W 702 S2.
Will be driving it with PrimaLuna Dialogue HP Premium power amp (EL 34) and PrimaLuna Dialogue Premium preamp (wide assortment of 12au7 -- Mullard, TeleF, Brimar, Ciftie, stock).
Content is delivered via vinyl on a VPI Prime, w/2 3d arms outfitted with Dynavector XX2 and Ortofon Cadenza mono, via SoundSmith MCP2 phonopre; via digital through a Rocketfish bluetooth dongle by way of either Android or iPhone/iPad; via SACD through a SONY drive. Vinyl is typically (but not always) either original pressings and/or the newer 180g releases but in all cases I run them through an ultrasonic cleaner before use.
I’d have to double check but I believe that my interconnect cables are the ones <$100 purchased from Magnolia at Best Buy. Speaker cables are #10 Monoprice.
Room dimensions are 28x16x8, drywalled, carpeted, drop ceiling, no treatment; speakers facing into the long run, however this room is separated by a structural beam and so I have only half the space for listening. I’d like to try to post some images so that you can see the actual layout although it’s unclear how I’d do that.
Musical tendency leans toward vocal harmony groups and solos with decent (sometimes complex) instrumentation: Beach Boys, Beatles, Mamas & Papas, Turtles, Shirelles, Zombies, Ventures, Adele, Shadows, Dick Dale, Nat King Cole, Sinatra, ABC, B-52s, Go-Gos, Bow Wow Wow, Zeppelin, Elvis Costello, Gary Numan, Siouxie, Classics IV, et al.
I rarely play above 85db, most sessions are in the 68-78db range.
I read T. London’s review of the Pass Labs AX25 and Linear Audio ZOTL40 (when combined with the LTA pre) and he used a phrase that connected with me -- "palpability of individual players" during playback. He expressed in words the sensation that I would seek to recreate.
I’m running the NAT Audio Transmitter monoblocks with my DI SE and couldn’t be happier. The soundstage is huge, the images are layered with natural depth, the high frequencies and midrange are lush yet resolving and the bass is deep and tight.
@ 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.
My DI SE have several hundred hours on them now and even though broken in seem to still be gradually improving. I have tried high powered SS amps with excellent results. My current LTA 20 watt UltraLinear is a winner. It is perhaps the best compromise for those who like tube sound but also the speed and dynamics of SS. I still would like to try a low watt SET amp to see what all the fuss is about.
My room is 17’x 18’ with bass traps and diffusers source is a Modwright Oppo 205 with tube mods no preamp (still waiting for new LTA preamp)
Part of the problem matching amplifier to these speakers is lack of a provided impedance frequency curve from the manufacturer. As the owner has stated, it is not required but I find myself gravitating as a consumer towards manufacturers that are more forthcoming with specific component parts and measurements. For ex, Primaluna I think does a good job with this on their website. DI measurements are still lacking and At this point all we can do is hope that stereophile reviews or time tested reports make their way. Although this thread is full of anecdotal reports and at 1500 + posts, it begs for organization.
I ran a test cd, at relatively low volumes , and subjectively evaluated frequency response, using an otl tube amp that is sensitive to impedance challenges:
I found a good response from 40 hz to 10k. Like a bell curve, 20, 30, and 11k, and 12k were barely audible
For some reason there was a significant dip at 60 Hz
and 800 through 3150 hz were the loudest frequencies
The unaccounted for variables are overwhelming But the drop at 60 is a bit puzzling. Unless I have 60 hz hearing loss among other possibilities. I wonder if anyone else has experienced this?
@snovosel Awesome that you are trying the DIs out. What are some of the ’other [speaker] candidates’ you have ’brought in?’
The DIs are really versatile with amplification which is why you find folks driving theirs with a wide assortment of both tubed and solid state amplification.
I would start with the amplification type / level / brand etc that you prefer and are familiar it.
You haven’t said what you have been using...sharing that will be helpful for DI owners to provide more specific feedback. Sharing your room size, preferences, etc. will also help.
I personally feel that the DIs do best with some power, though others are quite happy with SET amps and have driven them to satisfaction with just a few watts per channel. I’ve driven them with both tubes and solid state gear ranging from (into 4 Ohms) 40 watts up to 500 watts (my current amp). Despite leaning and now being fully vested in solid state, my first/initial recommendation is to pair tubed components with the DIs, should that be an option.
Take advantage of the full 60 day trial, and run them as much as you can the first few weeks.
My DIs will be delivered this coming Thursday (June 14) and I am struggling to decide on how best to power them. It sure would be helpful if there was a way to catalog and post a standing list of components others have successfully used with DIs that includes room dimensions, treatments (if any), component MSRP, and a checkbox that indicates whether or not the reviewer compared different amps and if so which.
I don't know what to expect come Thursday but I am committed to the 60-day trial to see if they offer something that other candidates I've brought in have yet to. My only challenge is to try to make sense out of the many recommendations. One YouTuber says that a MasterSounD Box/DI combination delivers "great Synergy!" while another writes that their SET amp does the trick, another declares that solid state monos are the way to go, and yet another says that integrated are best. It's therefore difficult to assess the strengths and weaknesses of each combination short of buying and trying (which incredibly, after speaking to several manufacturers, this "buy and try" methodology is frowned upon. When did manufacturers become so boldly self-serving?) but if THAT (buy/try/keep or return) is the bottom-line reality then, okay.
Had to share: Last night, I fell in love with my Di’s all over again. After installing a Bluesound Node 2, I was able to listen to MQA for the first time. Without going into all of the usual adjectives, let me just say that I found myself shaking my head over and over again, with a big grin on my face. I also heard myself say out loud, "My God." Listening to Sting & Shaggy’s 44/876, I could hear the incredible bass that the Di’s are capable of. Extraordinary!
Thanks to @hobbyhands for this post, on another thread, of the Mini Ulfberth (? not named yet ?) which @jcarcopo is receiving.
"You might also want to see this speaker just went up. I drove down to Tekton and got to hear it. It’s a little larger than the DI, but definitely smaller than the Ulfberht."
I’ve owned Odyssey Kismet monoblocks as well. I think they would be great with the Double Impacts. A couple of months ago I heard the Double Impacts being driven with a Parasound Halo integrated and then with a Cary 300B integrated. I thought they sounded much better with the Parasound. They really opened-up through the lower midrange and bass with that extra power.
@mofojo @mac48025 Thanks for the info. I've heard before that a tube pre is the way to go with Odyssey. And that "slam" is sounding good to me; it's what I'm really missing with the Maggies.
Well Bill, If you ever get that chance again to come to Knoxville , don't hesitate to give me a shout and come and hear it . I would value your opinion , and would bet that you agree very much with what I am hearing.... Much Much better than the first time you were here
I can tell by your excitement and manner that your system sounds very special and now at the point where it is fine tuned and well paired. It does take effort and time. Nice!
grey9hound278 posts05-30-2018 8:38pm"Funky Destination" is a cool group grey9hound278 posts05-30-2018 8:38pm"Funky Destination" is a cool group "Resolution is Only Solution " is the album that get from Pandora . I am using "Nightmares On Wax" as the Station name . I am getting a lot of Cool stuff this way . BTW .. I am using a Roku Ultra with HDMI out to the 4K HDR capable HDMI in of the Freaking Awesome Oppo -UDP-203. The Oppo has 2 HDMI ouputs . #1HDMI out is Audio Only (I am sending it to an HDMI Input on My McIntosh MX151) the Other 4K HDR . #2 HDMI output is going to My Sony 70 inch 4K TV. It is Unreal how good the sound is ... Better than my JRiver into the Mx151 , with HDMI also. All of my HDMI cables are all Purist Audio Design... except one . The one HDMI cable that goes from The Roku out to the Oppo-203 in , is the Wireworld HDMI Starlight 6. I Know this is a lot to Digest, But I have never heard anything sound this good. Amps are McIntosh MC30s (restored by Yves Beauvais at Vintage Vacuum Audio) Pre-Amp is McIntosh MX151 (with Lyngdorf Room Correction) Interconnects are the AWESOME Purist Audio Design- Dominus-Fluid . Power Cable for the MX151 is Purist Audio Dominus -Fluid Speakers are the Tekton Double Impact. Speaker cables are The Sonoran Desert Plateau by Star Sound Technologies Speakers are the Tekton Double Impact.. The speakers are also sitting on the Sistrum Apprentice Platforms . I am sorry about ranting and raving , BUT, I have never heard a system sound this GOOD. Very Natural Unforced Sound with KILLER BASS , imaging..etc . IT HAS IT ALL. I cannot believe it myself. For the first time in Many many years , I am completely satisfied with this setup
@mac48025 - for more of that bass slam, my new Push Pull model really has that dynamic bass that SET's may slightly lack on at higher volume levels. Just putting it out there as I heard "second amp" ;-)
I did have the Odyssey. It’s for sale as we speak. Not because I didn’t like it. It has been a great match with several speakers including the DIs. My room kinda sucks and the Lyngdorf works out better. Great synergy I believe especially with a tube pre.
343mps, the double impacts driven by the Kismet Mono-blocks and Candela preamp was a dynamic tour de force. I've never heard such realistic drums, it was a real slam in the chest. I've since gone the SET route, and love it, but miss that dynamic slam at times. If I get a second amp for a change of pace, the Kismets would be near, if not at, the top of my list. If you want dynamic slam with plenty of finesse Odyssey would be a great choice. A good tube pre would be a good match.....maybe one of Aric Audios or the Linear Tube Audio MZ2? Tom
@almarg Thanks for the fix on my link... good catch!
@teajay Excellent review on the Impact Monitors! You made a good point about their not inconsiderable size, though. I really can't see why I wouldn't just go with the Electrons instead, as the Monitors with stands would take up about the same space.
On a side note, has anyone tried any of the Tektons with Odyssey amps?
The visible text of the link in 343's post will work, but what is hidden "underneath" the visible text, which is what the browser is directed to when the link is clicked, has two extraneous characters at the end, namely ">
After clicking on the link, if those two characters are deleted from what appears in the address bar and "enter" is then hit, the intended image will appear.
@audiosens I (believe) you are asking whether the ’Tekton Impact’ speakers image and soundstage and layer/separate musical information? If so, YES.
I doubt there would be a Tekton DI thread if they did not do this across different systems. I will note that all of this is system relative, i.e. the DIs will do justice to what is ahead, relative to the strengths and weaknesses of what’s ahead of them.
@343mps Image is not present when the link is clicked.
@corelli The room is 15' x 20' x 8', with speakers on the 15' wall. It's not a dedicated space, with lots of furnishings and a large counter breaking up the space, so placement latitude is minimal.
There is strong bass as if SS, with high sensitivity and frequency detail. It seemed as though subtle sounds were brought forward, like audience noises and conductor breathing. Also, very quiet when it is supposed to be. If I had to find fault it would maybe be a slightly supressed mid-range and lack of distortion/pleasant harmonics. Would be interested to hear other experiences.
I would like to know if the Tekton Impact have a certain depth or stereo image, so we can feel the different layer in music listening ? Usualy there are different positionning for the woofer and the tweeter, the woofer is more in front and the tweeter more behind the midrange speaker ?
Yes, I generally offer basic colors like satin black, cobalt blue, burgundy, bare aluminum, or hammered silver, but I can paint these any color that is readily available (non-mixed) at no additional charge. Best wishes, Aric
You are very welcome Aric. I didn’t realize you had custome paint options. Those with special paint jobs on their DI,s can have matching electronics. That’s pretty cool.
I just wanted to about out a thanks to xenophon for your recent order of the Motherlode! This unit is a collaboration of several ideas/designs topped off with production that was based on my experience. Mac, thanks for pointing out that I've updated the site with some new models and additionally the new chassis options. I have a client base that really does like the retro look with the wooden sides, there were actually multiple requests that I keep that look. However any of my models can be housed in the newer aluminum chassis upon request and also in any readily available paint colors. I strongly believe in form follows function, and my products directly reflect that. I can also customize units upon request to fit a client's aesthetic preferences (which are literally all over the map). I just wanted to point that out for anyone that has interest, but isn't a "fan" of a certain look. Thanks to all for sharing your experiences with the Tektons and all of the various gear that excels in driving them. Best wishes, Aric
I reviewed the Impact Monitors for hometheaterreview.com, along with the DI's and Ulf's, and can tell you that the stand mounts do not lack for bass extension and power. If you don't have the space for the bigger brothers you will not be missing out at all regarding the power region/bass and get all the other virtues of the floor standers.
Hi gang... This thread has been fantastic! I picked up on it back around page 60, went back and read most of everything, then kept up with it until now. I am seriously thinking of pulling the trigger on a pair of Tektons mostly based on what I’ve read here and from reviews, and from what a friend who heard the DI’s at RMAF told me about them (and he knows my taste).
But the size is a bit daunting to me for my space. I even built cardboard facsimiles (nerd) of the DI and the Electron to get a sense of their presence. The Electron seemed large... the DI was borderline frightening. I’ve had Magnepan 1.7’s before, yet somehow the DI’s seem more imposing. But then I imagine it’s all relative to the space and positioning. Honestly, the Maggies were too big for me, too. I could live with the Electrons, or possibly even the Monitors, but from what I’ve read I don’t think the Monitors’ bass would satisfy.
I’ve never bought speakers unheard before, and I would really like to give them a listen, whether it’s DI’s, Electrons, or even the monitors, just to get an idea of the flavor. Would there be anyone in the Austin, TX vicinity (within 2 hours or so) who might be willing to let me listen to theirs?
Thanks again for all the great, non-volatile, conversations. The electronics discussions have been as interesting as the speakers stuff, to say the least.
@xenophon Congratulations on your choice to go tubed and also Aric Audio all the way!!! I just pulled up Aric's website and it's wonderful to see how he has expanded his component offerings and the wide array chassis aesthetics over the past nine months.
@jcarcopo Do you have more specifics on the Mini-Ulfs? Differences versus the SEs? Thanks.
On the Aric Audio website under "tube gear" you'll see the last five models with the brushed aluminum chassis and transformer covers.....the Motherlode, the mini lode, 300b SET, special 6sn7 Linestage and special KT88 amp. Hope that helps
Congrats on your choice of the Mother Load preamplifier. Aric is a very talented designer/builder, besides being a good guy, who builds great performing high quality gear at very reasonable prices. After I reviewed his KT-88 SET amplifier I purchased it to use in my systems. Right now I have is new P/P single chassis amplifier in for review and its "killer" performer in that it offers the color/tonality and image density of a SET design , but offers twice the watts to be able to drive less sensitive speaker loads.
You have a lot of fun coming your way when you get to hear your new preamplifier in your system!
@laaudionut thanks, I am excited to get it. No doubt he puts a lot of money into quality parts. I only have to be a little patient. I’ve enjoyed my interactions with Aric and certainly Feel good that I can communicate directly with the designer.
@mac48025 I like the latest case work as well. I think it’s attractive and durable. It drives me nuts that some designs have the tubes buried Or hidden. That’s the main thing I want to see.
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