Tekton Double Impacts
@knollbrent Hope you enjoy the DI's. I just have a hard time believing your Mac will be able to drive them however......JUST KIDDIN'. It's a good knowing your amp is not even breaking a sweat driving the DI's. At least that how I feel with my system. I am puzzled by your comment on speaker size though. Are the Piega's really bigger than the Di's?? |
@corelli NOLA 73 Bright sun. 39% humidity 12mph winds. Perfect for a ride. I have taken more than a few peeks at your system since you posted it. I’ve been meaning to post there and will. BTW, I expected to see a training bike where your comfortable chair is! Thanks. The color is a Mercedes Diamond Silver (has some blue and some grey in the finish). The console is normally pushed back about two feet from the back of the speakers and sits much closer to the wall. I’ve had it out for ease of cable changes, etc for the auditions. |
Nice pics David. Always fun to get a look at others systems we've all been reading about. The color of your pair of SE's looks great with your system. If you ever have a chance, would like to see a close up of the finish...and what's the official name of the color you went with? Currently clear blue sky, not too much wind, crisp 44 degrees. Time for a ride. Then music-fest with the DI's. (did you catch my system pics I posted last week?) https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/7021 |
I have not posted photos of the SEs nor my current system before. Here are links from my DAC review that have photos, inclusive of the T+A and Mastersound amplifiers on demo. The room will look bare (still waiting on renovation to be completed downstairs) and is not treated BUT is actually, and luckily, well balanced. https://www.denafrips.com/single-post/2018/03/23/Main-Review https://www.denafrips.com/single-post/2018/03/23/Method-System-Room-Music |
Off topic, my apologies: This seems like a decent find regarding headphones, so I thought I would pass it on here to those who appreciate good deals. Massdrop has a group buy on the Focal Elex (modified Elear) for $699. Over 600 sold, with only about 30 left remaining for purchase. https://www.massdrop.com/buy/massdrop-x-focal-elex-headphones Here’s a good thread with some measurements and preliminary feedback from a reliable source: http://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/massdrop-x-focal-elex.5540/ |
What a great thread! After reading through these reviews I'm returning my Def Tech 9040's to get the Double Impacts. My equipt consists of: McIntosh MC402 amp Aloia Cd player Oppo 103 Anthem MRX 520 Audience chords, wire and interconnects. It's been awhile since I've been able to just sit and listen to nice two channel. I've got nice speakers but they're just too big for my room these days (Piega C10 Ltds) and the 402 wouldn't push em enough believe it or not. The 402 should have noooooo problem running the Double Impacts. These should make for a fun 2.1 Home Theater experience too! Very excited. I'll send an update once they arrive. Brent |
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@klh007 I went ahead and ordered a Lyngdorf TDAI 3400 today from Hifi-Heaven! They are going to have it drop-shipped to my house since there aren't any available here stateside, but he does have them on order. I am very glad to have seen your post! I will be returning the NAD Reference 22 Rev2 to Crutchfield and the new Benchmark DAC3 HGC back to Benchmark. I'm ecstatic they added the Network streamer support to this unit. I can use it as a ROON READY device and stream my library directly to it over ethernet instead of tethering it to my passively cooled fanless pc computer via USB. This product really is a remarkable bargain for 400w into 4ohm with the DAC/PREAMP/NETWORK STREAMER/ROOM CORRECTION device all-in-one! I'm pretty excited! |
Hello All, Not to take away from Corelli’s thread,but if interested in a Lyngdorf 2170,you may want to check out this one.Ton of info to follow. https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/who-has-luv-for-the-lyngdorf-2170-and-is-thinking-about-the-3... Kenny. |
@klh007 Thanks. I've seen the early bulletins on the 3400 and will keep an eye on the reviews/reports. @corelli Thanks for the update on your room treatments and Hsu subs and how you've been able to work them in and integrate them. I'd like to hear the DIs / SEs with subs. Great hearing about the improvements you've been able to make happen. |
@corelli Actually, I can't keep up with my cables! : ) It's been a ride with cabling evaluations...however, all good now with terrific outcomes. Not much component movement until recently. There have been two amp related demos. Still figuring that out. I need to listen to the Lyngdorf again. I know how strongly Bill feels about it as well as Kenny and others here. And I'd love to listen to the new LTA gear that @lancelock has, preferably in his system once he gets his SEs. : ) |
I'm impatiently waiting for new speakers to be made. I have 6 weeks of this anxiety to contend with. I have a NAD M22 rev2 to try out coming tomorrow, but I will likely not keep it because I'm pretty sure the NORD OneUp SE Monoblocks will slay the NAD and I ordered them yesterday I have 2 months to audition the NAD. Being a die hard SET guy I'm actually surprised I'm considering a CLASS D amp just for some variety in my system. I am very curious about the TDAI 2170 myself. I will try to find a used one at some point after my bank account recovers from all this hemorrhaging. I've heard lots of good things about it, but the price for the one I wanted is $2k more than I wanted to spend. |
@david_ten I can't keep up with all your gear man! But it sounds like you are having fun. You know, with all the posts on this thread I can't recall if you tried the Lyngdorf 2170 that Bill is so fond of. This seems like a unique piece of solid state gear. I finally finished by room treatments and am quite pleased with the outcome. The room now strikes a nice balance. Bass is now very tight and controlled down to below 20hz as I had hoped for. My DIY mega bass trap clearly improved the bass quality. Treatment of first reflection points increased detail and nuance without closing the sound stage in too much. And there is no sense of reflection off the rear wall. The DI's just seem to get better with time and respond to any improvements as we have all found. Please check out my system pics so you can get a better visual on the above. The Hsu ULS 15 MK2 subs have been a nice addition to the DI's. They are so similar to the DI's I'm not surprised they worked out. Both have satin black finishes (with the Hsu's finish getting the nod--buttery smooth black satin) and are both are value packed. I lugged the subs all around my room and it seemed clear that the best sound was achieved predictably in the corners of the room. The Hsu subs do exactly what I had hoped for. They extend the music down to just below 20 Hz which was my objective. The DI's in my room do have response down to 30Hz (cabinet tuning frequency) but just didn't provide the full extension I wanted in the bottom octave. Well no longer is this an issue. The subs are dead quiet with no quirks. (On the other hand, I did need to spend time quieting several light connection boxes!) I don't sense any intrusion into the domain of the DI's. In short, I can fully recommend the Hsu's as a great complement to the DI's. |
Post regarding a possible amplifier pairing for the SEs. Yesterday I had the pleasure of demoing the Mastersound Evolution 845 Integrated Amplifier in-home. It was demoed as is stock, with stock tubes and was run with signal through to the speakers for about 9 hours prior to first listen. The following DACs were used: my primary DAC, the Denafrips Terminator; the North Star Designs Venti; and my Schiit Yggdrasil. We also ran the Evolution 845 direct, bypassing it’s Preamp section and using the Pass XP-20 as Pre. Those of you I have spoken with directly know that I recommend tubed components as a primary consideration for the SEs, despite my personal quest for a solid state pairing / solution. As pointed out with regard to the Double Impacts by most, the SEs also showcased the individual flavors and signatures of the three DACs clearly. As well as the A/B/C/D differences between the T+A / Pass Separates / Mastersound / Mastersound + Pass XP-20 The direct A/Bing was conducted primarily with the Denafrips DAC and to a lesser extent with the North Star Design Venti. I can say that the Mastersound, by itself and ALSO with it’s amplifier section alone, is a very nice pairing with the SEs. For those of you who are more comfortable with and prefer to have more watts on hand especially from tubed components but still pine or crave for that SET magic: the EVOs 845s in Parallel SET at 55 watts per side, are worth considering. |
Should finish up my acoustic treatments this weekend. Subwoofers breaking in nicely. I'll try to post some pics after things are complete. Really quite pleased how this is all coming together. Like the DI's, the Hsu subs have a very high performance/price ratio. Will post more details later this weekend. |
@corelli , saw your post dated a year ago but it resonated with me. I was 15, the year was 1975, in high school, and like you I put together my first high-end system (by mail-order) from The Stereo Warehouse in San Luis Obispo, CA. What made me feel compelled to post this was the gear was similar to yours: a Pioneer SX-737 receiver, Electro-Voice speakers, a BIC belt-drive TT, a Shure cart. Yes, it was quite a system for a high-school kid. I had worked all summer before and saved about $800 at age 14. The system cost almost $700, delivered to a little town in Texas. Wonderful memories. Tom |
I just want to thank @lancelock for inviting me into his home yesterday. He was kind enough to offer me an opportunity to hear the DIs, and also his other two systems. The DIs are impressive at their price point, but I am not selling my speakers yet. I admit that I anxious to hear the SEs as the DIs show great promise. Lances upstairs room with the Jantzens is a great listening experience. He has the system really dialed in nicely, I had to force myself to get up and let Lance get on with his day. I will definitely take advantage of Lances offer to come hear the DI SEs when they arrive. Joe |
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Just left Allan's (Aolprodj) home to listen to his new SE's and they and the total system sounded great. All the details and transparency you would want, along with that aliveness and dynamics that make the music come alive, yet still being musical without etch or analytical front edges of the notes at all. Congrats to my friend on a killer system! |
So as a piggy back to earlier posts regarding whether to consider the DI's, or go all out on the SE's...I just popped the top on my newly delivered SE's earlier today. I am about 50 tracks into the audition/break-in and I can state without hesitation that, out of the box, the SE's have far bettered the DI's! Much more refined, transparent and dimensional than my broken in DI's! Coupled with the Aric Audio Motherlode, I am almost rendered speechless! I can only Imagine what the next few months have in store for me as each of them bloom and settle into their true character! Cheers to the talents of the small business audio geniuses! Brian |
As far as Amps go ,I am using the Rogue Audio St-100 with 1950s Mullard Long Plates in the 12AX7 positions ... Unreal Bass with liquid Mid range . Highly detailed , but not bright. Purchased from Andy at Vintage Tube services. While not cheap, they are the best small signal tubes that I have heard . Andy’s description " The warmest ,most liquid , but still detailed 12AX7 ever made ". I believe it !! |
Joe, lancelock on this thread lives in Annapolis, owns DIs, and has ordered DI SEs. He has used all of the LTA tube amps, 10, 40, and new Ultralinear; Plinius, and Mirror Image SS amps @200WPC, so he can shed some light on the differences on amplification. Tekton did show with JC1s at 2017 RMAF to great effect, I'm sure they would be a worthy choice. |
Thank all of you guys very much, the information is very helpful. I live in Annapolis Maryland and I’m wondering if there was anyone in the Washington DC or Baltimore area that has either the DI‘s or the DI SEs. Now that I’m leaning heavily toward the SEs I would really love some sort of listening experience prior to pulling the trigger. Thanks again for the dirrect responses and of course all of the information contained in this thread! Joe |
As for my take on this, Charles says it best in his post: Without exception each account where someone has heard or owned both models they unequivocally say that as good as the Double Impact is the SE is the superior speaker. If you can comfortably afford the SE I’d suggest going that route. Decide what type of amplifier sound you most desire (as you’ll heard it with this speaker). My philosophy is get the best that you can responsibly afford and don’t look back. As for your question on solid state and more output power: I drove the DIs with the Spread Spectrum Technologies Son of Ampzilla II It's a Class A/B amp with 220W into 8Ohms; before moving to the Pass Labs XA-30.8 I have a T+A PA 3100 HV being delivered next week for an in-home demo. I'll report back as it will be my first go around with much higher power into the SEs. Even though I am using Solid State amplification, and very happily so with the SEs, my primary recommendation would be Tubed Amplification for the SEs. With the DIs, either or. |
@jdechamp Good questions across the board. I would reach out to @laaudionut and @rubytuesday Both have very recently made the choice / move to the SEs. Brian (laaudionut) did the move from the DIs to the SEs. I’m sure they both had to work through similar questions / issues. Same with regards to taking the modded approach. If you haven’t already done so, reach out to Bill @grannyring Tom @mac48025 has the longest exposure to the DIs and has had significant time with the SEs now...and will be a terrific person to bounce your questions off of. @teajay was personally helpful with my early decision making process with the SEs vs the DIs and Terry has been very open about being reached out to. |
Joe, If you like the sound of your amp do not think about changing that variable right now. I can reassure you the DI's perform well with all sorts of electronics as this thread points out. Their efficiency allows the option of low powered SET gear but hardly demands it. I've listened to both tubes and higher powered SS gear. While I appreciate the virtues of both, overall I prefer my Marantz Reference integrated. |
Joe, Honestly I don’t believe that a consensus of amplification has been established. Very happy DI owners have posted here and a pretty fair number of them are using solid state amplifiers with much success. As has been pointed out often on this thread, the DI allows a very wide range of amplifier types to be used with excellent results. One of this speaker’s more noteworthy attributes. 3 watt SET or 600 watt class D (and all stops between) the DI has worked well across an enormous spectrum of amplifiers. I’d certainly give the Parasound a chance with the DI/SE, you just never know unless you listen 😊. Charles |
Charles, Thank you for your response. i appreciate the advice regarding the DIs vs. the DI SEs. But you do raise another issue, choice of amplifier. In my current set up I like the amplifiers i have now, Parasound JC-1s, but it seems the consensus here is toward tubes with either DI option. I am fine with tubes, the JC-1s followed two different pairs of VTLs, but of course I was not anticipating a major system overhaul! Is anyone using high power SS amps with these? Thanks! Joe |
Hello Joe, Without exception each account where someone has heard or owned both models they unequivocally say that as good as the Double Impact is the SE is the superior speaker. If you can comfortably afford the SE I’d suggest going that route. Decide what type of amplifier sound you most desire (as you’ll heard it with this speaker). My philosophy is get the best that you can responsibly afford and don’t look back. I’m pleased with my current system to an extraordinary extent. If I decided to just start anew (If only to have something different) I would very seriously contemplate the Double Impact SE and mate them to the Line Magnetic 508ia or a Viva Solista and be done. Charles |
This speaker has caught my interest like it has so many others. My initial impression was if the concept works so well, what would be possible with upgraded drivers, components and cabinetry? Would that just make this another $20K contender? Then I see the SE and think, great but at over twice the price? I have speakers I am happy with but have seen the reports of others selling speakers they had no plans to part with and I want to listen for myself. If I fell for the DIs I can sell my current speakers to cover the cost, but do I make that pretty easy choice and order the DIs or do I take a much more (for me) serious step and go for the DI SE? Throw in that grannyring says his mods beat the SEs and I am stumped. I know there are a few who have heard both and maybe a couple who have heard both plus grannyring's mods. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Joe |
@danoroo, I mentioned the lack of a southern event to Gary Gill (Owner of Capital AudioFest) at a DC HiFi Group meeting Saturday, and he agreed one might be beneficial, but his schedule is full with job plus CAF so he couldn't even consider doing one. Maybe some manufacturers located in the southern US need to cooperate and begin with a small event? Perhaps danoroo should start an event in Texas? |
@charles1dad , Aric and I have not decided on the tube specific as yet. He mentions that he is working on some projects that push our decision one way or another. As mentioned, this piece is a bit further out for me. @corelli, HBD indeed! This thread has been wicked instrumental in taking my system to an extremely pleasing level. Thank you! |
