Tekton Double Impacts
Some footage of the Ulfs sans grills:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpVveDFRzuc&feature=youtu.beGreat footage @333Jeffery. First, I’m glad that you and your family are safe. Second, I still can’t decide of the Ulfs are ugly. Ha. Fugly or not, I take it that they are effective in their goal. |
Some footage of the Ulfs sans grills:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpVveDFRzuc&feature=youtu.be The hurricane knocked me offline for a week, but we are okay. Massive power outages around here, though. Never been this bad before, and I'm a native. |
@lak I took a look at your speakers via the link you posted. I personally don’t have any experience with them. However, based on the design, I would say that @sbayne ’s take is very much on point. The special attention to the bass drivers, setup, front/bottom(?) porting, cabinet design would lead me to theoretically predict better bass from the EPX. How much better????? The real differential is going to come down to the upper half of the two speakers. The mids/tweeters will likely be the deciding factor. As others have already pointed out...it’s going to come down to what you prefer and like. The $3300 in and ~ $300 out for a 60 day shoot-out in your audio corral is a bl**dy fantastic deal, in my opinion. Hope you give it a go and let us know your outcomes. All the best. |
@lak - Allnic equipment is some of the best available in my opinion. Your Allnic integrated, as you indicate, should drive the Double Impact with no problem. I've always been impressed with Montana speakers but have never heard the EPX. For me, the real breakthrough with these new Tekton speakers is the tweeter array. It presents the upper midrange and treble in a completely natural way. This is obviously just conjecture on my part, but the only area you may feel is not a clear step forward is in the bass. The bass produced by every Montana speaker I've heard has been truly excellent. I'm not saying the Double Impact's bass won't be very good just that might be an area it will, at least, be a "wash" between the speakers. You may want to wait for the Mini-Ulfs to come out or even spring for the full Ulfberthts - simply based on what I remember hearing from Montana speakers generally. |
Hi lak, That’s such a tough question to answer. Nothing short of a listening session will settle this. So much of course depends on what type of sound you want, simple to say but so true. The reality is some listeners could hear both speakers and prefer yours, conversely others would prefer the Double Impacts. I’ve heard the Double Impacts and IMO they are very good. They will definitely reflect the chosen audio signal chain and room setup. Charles |
@lak I am listening to a set tomorrow and will give you my impressions. I have asked myself the same questions. Good questions. I own the Crescendo speakers as you know. Terry L , the reviewer of the DI speaker, felt the DI was a better sounding speaker. That got my attention 🙂 I think you will also also need to hear a pair in order to make a wise decision. I do know your amp will drive them easily based on all the comments here and elsewhere regarding how easy they are on amplifiers. |
Your Opinion Please I currently use my Allnic T-1500 Integrated 300B amp (12.5 watts per channel) to drive my Montana EPX speakers with no issues or problems at all. I'm happy with the sound. Here are the specifications on my Montana EPX speakers: http://thesoundstation.com/pages/montana_epx Having never heard the Tekton Double Impacts, I'm wondering would I gain anything by switching speakers or would I just be spending additional money? I'm located in Perrysburg, Ohio. |
Brian, That's great news. Congratulations! One point though, and it's the proverbial ying/yang issue. Your 'memory' of your gear, in this case McIntosh, especially if you have been a Mac guy for sometime, has likely been influenced by speakers that have editorialized (I'm not referring to the Sopras, per se). Just saying that you may hear the gear in a new light / with a slightly different presentation/signature. This can be a good or bad thing depending on your learned preferences/memory. |
I am appreciative of everyone's comments to date, in particular your carefully chosen words in regards to my(current) Mac set up. The order is placed for the DI's and if I am as thrilled with their performance as I am hoping, you will soon notice a mint pair of Sopra 2's on AG. Perhaps the substantial difference in price might tempt me to try a SET approach. Cheers and good listening! Brian |
Corelli is right and I base this on my Double Impact listening experiences. These speakers are resolving and relatively uncolored so there’s very little editorializing taking place. You will hear the intrinsic sonic character of the amplifier in use. If you like the McIntosh sound the Double Impacts won’t alter it. I certainly felt that the innate character of my Coincident Frankenstein was well preserved when mated to these speakers. Very natural/organic,live/palpable aura and commendable emotional involvement conveyed. This is why people are reporting positive results with such a wide range of amplifiers with this speaker. If you like a given amplifier the DI isn’t going to change that. This speaker is very good at revealing the differences of amplifiers during direct comparison sessions. Charles |
David, Here is a link to a 845 set mono's that's on audiomart that you might look at.If I didn't already have several amps I would consider them myself. I'm interested in the next new offerings from Nelson Pass in his FW lineup,specifically the Sit3.Plus I'm also pondering a high end music server. http://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649371134-antique-sound-labs-1006845-dt-custom-mono-bloc-amplifie... Kenny. |
@kdude66 Kenny, great to hear you will have your new amp in your system in a few days. And thank you for your thoughts on tube type choices. One reason for my holding off on a quick decision on an amp was to get your opinion on it, in addition to @teajay 's. So far, Terry's recommendations and findings have been repeated by a number of folks here so I doubt this time will be different. : ) And yes, make that YES, I'm very happy with my current setup. Having another flavor is nice, but not critical. I'm mainly looking downstream and temporally in preparation for having a second system set up. I've also been really, really enjoying the Volti Audio Rivals and that factors in vis a vis a future amp choice. |
@evolvist Thanks for the updates on the 'mini' Ulfs. Looks like a great outcome for you, other than the wait you've had to deal with. I'm sure you will be satisfied with the DIs. It will also give you some time to work out synergy and pairings and perhaps even some new component evaluations before the minis are back in play for you. |
@seikosha Thanks for the Quicksilver mid mono recommendation. I have seen Quicksilver listings, but have never heard them personally. Can you PM me with your impressions? I don't want to go off track here in the DI thread. Thanks. @sbayne Vinnie Rossi products have always been of interest. I did hear his LIO paired with Harbeth. His modular all in ones are a great way to go and keep things very simple in terms of components, cabling, etc. Something I should keep in mind, just like the TDAI 2170. @mac48025 Thanks for the offer on your Decware amp. I have been open to Steve's products for some time now, but some of the feedback here and the findings that other amps are 'better' pairings with the DIs give me pause. I like what he does and what he offers at his asking prices. As you know based on our discussions, Aric's KT120 is a leading choice for me as well. It will be great hearing your take on his work once it's in your system. |
@charles1dad & @grey9hound Let me third the desire to hear a shoot-out between the: Rogue Audio ST 100. Line Magnetic 508ia. Aric Audio KT 88. & Coincident Frankenstein MK II At some point I'll probably try to put two of these amps (I already have the Franks) up with the Coincident PREs and the DIs and try to find the best pairing. Unfortunately won't be for a year or so, so it might lose relevancy... but the thread's legs certainly are strong. - Chris |
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Great news evolvist. You will love the DI's. I had heard that mini Ulfs might not be ready soon and its good to see Eric took good care of you and is doing the right thing by taking his time to make the mini Ulfs right before sending them out. Wondering if you discussed the DI SE's at all as an option with Eric? |
RE: mini-Ulfs. There is good news, bad news and even better news. The bad news is that I don't believe the mini-Ulfs will be ready for prime time any time soon. I spoke with Eric and he was not happy with the voicing. The good news is that I'm buying a pair of upgraded white DIs. These will be mine. However, as gesture of good faith and customer service, Eric will allow me to upgrade from the DIs to the mini-Ulfs whenever he has perfected them, with only the balance to pay for the Ulfs. The even better news is that Tekton is making sure the mini-Ulfs are perfect before sending them out. Eric believes the mUs will blow anything else away in its price range, and even way above. That he will sell lots of these (might be a big seller, only second to the DIs), it only makes sense that he takes his time. So, I'll have DIs pretty soon. :-) |
David, Knowing what you currently have and seems to me that you are happy with the sound but may want a different flavor. My thoughts are to go with a tube set or sep design such as a Aric audio custom build optimized for the Kt-150 tube only,should have 25 to 30 watts and could be built as mono's. Another choice might be to find a stereo or mono version of a set that uses the 845 tube.No brands that may meet your budget come to mind off hand but if you are willing to buy slightly used there might be more choices. I can't really advise you too much with your front end choices,I'm a ole analog guy and still learning about all this new digital stuff. My Aric audio amp has been shipped and I should get it Friday and should have a better opinion of his gear after a few days of using it. Best of luck to you on your selection, Kenny. |
David, If you go the Decware route I have a like new Torii MKIV I'd make you a good deal on but to be honest, as far as I'm concerned, the MZ2 sounds MUCH better. The LIO looks very intriguing. Vinnie Rossi has some interesting products. I ordered his mini Pure DC-4EVR power supply for my MZ2 and am looking forward to hearing what difference it makes. As far as other tube amps I can't help as I'm sold on the Aric Audio SET KT 120 and will be ordering it Friday. I'll be getting the Concert Fidelity 040-BD DAC from Audio Archon in the next few days also. Once I get the CEC TL3.0 cd transport, I'll have the same system as teajay.....or at least the DI version of it. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. |
@david_ten - I've gotten to know Vinnie Rossi over the years. He built a battery based integrated for me a few years ago that was excellent. I've heard his new LIO a number of times and can't help but think it would be a great match with the Double Impacts. Also, the oldie but goodie Decware offerings are a solid choice for high efficiency speakers. Scott |
Jadedavid, I have the earliest MK II version (2009) with the stainless steel chassis. Coincident switched to the 4/8 ohm speaker taps about 3 or 4 years ago. As for the first stage coupling capacitor I went with the Jupiter copper foil instead of the V Cap. You can not go wrong with either choice. In my opinion you have an excellent audio system foundation with your Frankenstein and Double Impact combination. This is a very good speaker. Charles |
