Tekton Double Impacts

@teajay : Terry, any updates on your ongoing adventures with the Double Impacts and components in the chain driving them? Thanks.

Kenny: Sounds very promising! Looking forward to your impressions with the MZ2 driving the DIs direct as well as with your Yamamoto amp.

Don' t forget the power cords!

Congrats Kenny,

I found the stock NOS tubes with the MZ didn't come close to matching the 40's RCA's, TungSol round plates or 40's Sylvania's I rolled in. The MZ responds well to tube rolling and you're in for an even greater treat when you do so. Have fun!

Hello Kenny, 
Congratulations on acquiring the MZ2. 
I look forward to your listening impressions of the MZ2  as an amplifier and as a line stage mated to both the push pull and SET amplifiers. 
Charles 

Me too, David

Hello all,

Finally a MZ2 has arrived in my system,I'm using the tubes that were shipped with it for now,RCA 12sn7 and Ge 6201's.

This is most definitely going to be a game changer for me,I really don't want to turn it off and change tubes,maybe tomorrow.

I'm using the speaker outputs to pwr my 95db Tekton DI's.

Jccarcopo,

I have heard Lila Down’s "Semilla de Piedra" she has such a huge vocal range almost operatic.

I contemplated the SE version myself but after upgrading my crossovers and wiring I'm very happy for now.

I will be pairing the MZ2 with my push pull sit amp and my Yamamoto A09s,should be quite interesting.

Best,

Kenny.

@lancelock: I played "Blues in the Night’ as a test, and I see what you mean!!!

@kdude66: As I mentioned earlier, Eva has been a test vocalist for me for a long time ---- she certainly lets me know when my system is or isn’t ’bright.’ Right now I have a preamp and a power supply with Furutech NCF Rhodium breaking in...so bright it is...and is the reason I’m not spinning Ms. Eva. : )

@mac48025: I added Hope Waits to my Roon Library sometime ago based on a previous recommendation from you. She is tooooo sexy sounding for good behavior! I will look up Imelda - hopefully less troublesome. : ) Glad you are enjoying Eva.

@jcarpo: I will also look up Lila Downs. Eva sounds great on good ribbon implementations also.

@mazikrav: We are on!

I’m listening to Eva singing "Fever" on a 24/96khz remaster very loudly at the moment. I couldn’t imagine listening to this except a SET tube amp and the DIs at such a high volume and not being forced to turn it down on most speakers with metal tweeters or horns; a close shave indeed! Boy, she has a really big voice!

My new Elrog 300B tubes are glorious sounding and may supplant my Emission labs bxls.

I’m definitely thinking hard about DI SE or mini Ulfberhts, but I can’t see how this gets any better with the emotionally satisfying sonic holography I’ve currently got!

Anyone evee listen to Lila Down’s "Semilla de Piedra"? That woman’s explosive voice will test your tweeters. She tests the upper limits of her voice on that track and momentarily breaks the microphone diaphragm!

Edit:  The Arc Choir on Mapleshade records has some of the best explosive vocals I've ever heard too. 

Crazy.......I just realized I had Eva’s Songbird and put it in. What an incredible voice! How this cd missed my attention is beyond me but better late than never. Ordered 4 more of her CD’s.

If you like sultry voices with a rock/blues/jazz vibe you’ll like May and Waits, Lance.

David and mazikrav, please keep us posted about your visit, would love to hear your impressions of the Ulfberhts.

David:
Please email me privately when you're coming out in our direction.  Perhaps Eric could suggest a date for us to meet and audition his masterpiece.

Mac, you won't be sorry. I think I will order some May and Waits.

Lance

Thanks gents, I just ordered Eva by Heart, Live at Blues Alley, Simply Eva and Nightbird. Here's a couple of great female musicians I stumbled across. 

Imelda May: Life, Love, Flesh and Blood
Introducing Hope Waits

Lance,

That's one of my top 10 favs from Eva,unfortunately "Blues in the night" is'nt one of her favs and The DI's will definitely do that high note justice.

David,
Her strong deeper voice should never sound bright at all when a system is dialed in,It should be warm,friendly and inviting just like she probably was as a person.

Kenny.

The Eva Cassidy album "Eva by Heart" has a song "blues in the night" that has a high note that will definitely test your tweeters.

ive seen many artist at Blues Alley in Georgetown and it's a great sounding venue but I didn't see Eva's show that night. The one that got away.

Kenny, no worries.... How could I ever ignore Ms. Eva! The 'Live at Blues Alley’ is one of my favorites...I just don’t play her when gear is ’burning-in’ since she always sounds bright on my system(s). Once she sounds good, I know the system is stable. Tall Trees in Georgia is a reference track for me. Good life lesson as well. :)

David,

You better add Eva Cassidy to your list,I like almost every thing she did in her unfortunately short career,just a very powerful voice.

Other than that you have an outstanding list of some great artists.

Enjoy the Music,

Kenny.

Twoch,

I fully understand that you have every right to your opinion,

But it would have more weight with me if you good back up your opinion with details and not just speculation.

Best,

Kenny.

Twoch, 
Regarding your comment about the Wilson Sophia 1 and the Tekton DI,  is it based on listening comparisons or an assumption based on the cost of these two speakers ?
Charles 

Since you ask: this is some of what the DIs have been 'channeling' in my system (and is a very random sample of who and what I've been listening to the last few days):

Female artists (mainly for gear break in): Melody Gardot, Jessie Ware, Cassandra Wilson, Patricia Barber, Neko Case, Sarah Jarosz, Cecile McLorin Salvant....

Male artists: Andy Bey, Eric Bibb, Jose Gonzalez, Bon Iver, Elliott Smith, Rodney Crowell, Terry Callier, Garland Jeffreys, Caetano Veloso....

World: Niyaz, Anoushka Shankar, Trilok Gurtu, Toure-Raichel Collective, Sarathy Korwar, Anouar Brahem, Otros Aires, Shye Ben Tzur/Johnny Greenwood (on Junun).....

Strings: Arnaud Garcia-Fons, Mischa Maisky, Laurence Juber, Thierry Robin, Gary Karr.....Piano/'Percussion': Brad Mehldau, The Bad Plus, Vijay Iyer....Electronic: My Morning Jacket, Greyboy, Moby, Tiesto, Nightmares on Wax, James Blake, Jade Warrior.....Other: Brooklyn Rider

@mazikrav: Sure, I'd love to meet up when I make it to Orem to audition Eric's creations.

This is funny ,,,the man says,,,,am looking at the Double Impact as a replacement for a set of Wilson Audio Sophia 1s 
Now im no fan of wilson.  But i would not make this move 
Its. JMO.  

Thanks, bullitt.  Now I've two new artists to try out on my Brilliance system. Both of these escaped my 77 year old radar.  Perhaps we should get back to discussing the speakers.  Is there anyone who has compared the DI's or Brilliance with the OB Sigmund?

Bleachers has a new release called "Gone Now". I doubt it fits many folks taste on this thread (my daughter claims I'm 60 going on 14) but tracks 5 and 6 will totally expose the dynamics and imaging of DIs. I am enthralled. Now I do have a DIY sealed sub with opposing 15s powered by two crown amps that help a LOT below 80hz. But the DIs by themselves carry that floor when I loose them to the task. Again, not everyone's music, but worth a listen IMHO if you just want to crank it up and have some fun.

Here's a further correction and amplification of my broken Latin, mac:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_gustibus_non_est_disputandum

I like Haydn, Oscar Peterson, anything with the human voice from opera to  Jimmy Driftwood, Gilbert and Sullivan, Adele, string quartets,

If you want, let me know when you're coming out to Utah.  Maybe we can meet at Tekton Design.  btw, who is Sarah Jarouz?

My DI's mostly play acoustical jazz, female vocals ( jazz, contemporary, blues/folk/rock blend) and live recordings of genres from Sinatra to Holly Cole to Cowboy Junkies to Sarah Jarouz to The Chieftains to The Wailin' Jenny's to.....you get the idea. 

While the Ulfberhts are out of my price range also and I'm totally happy with my DI's I'd love to hear them someday.......even if I'm secretly hoping they aren't much better sounding than what I already have ;)

Dear David, Mac48025 and anyone else following this idle, pleasurable, string:
By no means would I enter into an intermural contest between two of Eric's excellence speakers.  fyi, I have not yet heard the Ulfberhts.  Their size and price put them out of  my range. I'll probably visit Eric in the near future and give them a listen, though I doubt I can improve on the wonderful clarity and balance of my Brilliance. Perhaps we could met when you do the same.  What kind of music do your DI's channel?

@mazikrav:  Thanks for your response. I did consider the Brilliance but since it was Terry London's review on the Double Impacts that made me reach out to Eric, that is what I went with.

Please post more on the Brilliance! Would love to hear how they are working out for you.

I'm planning a trip to Eric's magic works later this summer or early fall. To hear a number of his models first hand.

mazikrav,

you had me at disputadem.......my Latin is much less than rusty, it's nearly nonexistent!

when ordering my DI's Eric mentioned that Brilliance was amazing but knowing my preference for dynamics thought the DI's would be better for me. Eric has a speaker for just about any application and sound preference, glad to hear you're enjoying your Brilliance .........but NEVER say they sound better than the DI's! Sacrilegious! Just kidding obviously. Sounds like you have a system that's bringing you lots of musical enjoyment. I envy you living so close to Tekton, have you heard the Ulfberhts? Inquiring minds need to know. 

disputandum, that is....my Latin is rusty

Living here in Utah and having known Eric over the years, I was able to audition both the Brilliance and the DI's in Eric's workshop.  Accoustically, the room was utterly different than my living room, but I could hear a definite improvement, imho, in the Brilliance over the DI.  But you're right, David: de gustibus nolum disputadem.  i.e. to each his own.  I said this was an idle inquiry. Are there any other happy Brillliance listeners out there?

Thanks @david_ten @bullitt5094 for  your response.

I agree with you on sizing concerns, I found a solid/cheap console stand on craiglist which suits center channel sizing needs its 16"h x 28"w x 14"d, console stand  itself measures 24"h x 65"w.

@kdude66 @corelli I too have the same question as @david_ten 
Will there be any differences in tweeter and woofer section sound quality / signature with the use of one or the other caps / inductors for the DI upgrade?

:)  It's all in the naming protocol. Brilliant vs Impactful. :)

Were you able to audition both before deciding or was it based on a home trial?

I found the Brilliance to be a touch clearer than the DI's.

Out of idle curiosity, I'd be interested in hearing from some of the rest of you who, like myself, chose the Tekton-Design Brilliance over the DI's.

I listen mostly to classical music and some jazz through the First Watt F-3 amp and the VPI Classic 2 with the  Sound-Smith Voice Cartridge or the Oppo 93 DVD player.

I'd love to hear from others with similar equipment and taste. If you prefer, I'll start a different string

Yes, similar experience. I was briefly thinking First Watt J2 with 8 ohm DI's because that would draw twice the power from that particular amp (15 watts from  4 ohms / 30 watts from 8 ohms). Eric expressed that he thought the 8 ohm version was less optimal, plus I didn't want to spend extra cash anyway. 

Not to de-rail the thread too much, but any recommendations on speaker cables?

Thanks for your response to my question, Bullitt. Guess we will have to wait until there are more specifics from Eric.

david_ten I have no more information than what Eric posted earlier copied below. All I can add is he is definitely moving forward with them. I was given 4-6 weeks to ship at this point.

I currently have the DI with the upgrade package. The SEs are suppose to use superior components to even those. I'm going to call Eric tomorrow to sort out some things on center channel. I'll see what information he allows me then. I am also considering an Enzo 2.7 as a center channel. I have 42" below my screen frame so the Enzo would fit and have the tweeters as high as possible since they are at the top of that model. But Eric may recommend a center with the same components as the SE pieces or just tell me to stick with the DI 3-tweeter unit if voicing is similar. I never use the center for music anyway. It isn't that critical in my thinking. 

" AS of NOW I am excited to announce the production of an extreme version of the Double Impact. I'll call it the 'Double Impact SE' (special edition) but it's not set in stone. This model is an expression of the cost no object approach. The DI SE is not the same speaker nor does it use the same parts. This model will be available through exclusive high-end hi-fi dealers with the price set to $6K-$10K per pair. "

Kenny and others who are experts on these matters....

This is something I am completely ignorant about: Will there be any differences in tweeter and woofer section sound quality / signature with the use of one or the other caps / inductors for the DI upgrade? I am assuming there are 4 combinations possible and possibly in owners hands.  Thanks.

"Additional upgrade package: add $300 for Cardas inputs, Mil-Spec internal wiring, ClarityCap or Solen (depending upon real-time availability) within the tweeter section. Includes an oversized Jantzen or Erse Sledgehammer inductor (depending upon real-time availability) within the woofer section."

@bullitt5094: I don't see any info posted on Eric's site for the SEs. Do you have a summary of the changes from the DI to the DI SE?  Thank you.

@iamasif: In addition to what bullitt mentions in his post, there are size differences, especially in height.

For a center channel clearance issues are important: either for console openings or if on top of a console, then for positioning under a TV or screen.

I’m holding off on a Center for now given all of the upcoming options. I would have gone with a 7 tweeter center to match the L/R speakers however it would have been challenging to position in my system, just under an inch too tall for the center speaker opening in my console and since I went with a slightly taller console I would have to position the TV about 4 inches higher than would be ideal...so Eric also recommended the 3 tweeter without hesitation.

The 3 tweeter version also fits in my center channel console opening.

I am returning the DIs I have now for a new set of DI SE. As I understand they are totally different hardware. So I assume it wouldn't be possible to retrofit an existing DI set. Want to buy my old set? Not even a fingerprint on them and Eric may make you a deal not to have them returned. Standard black finish with the upgrade option. Just a thought for anyone out there.

On the center channel... Eric actually pushed me toward the 3 tweet center channel. He said the 7 was really overkill for most systems. I guess if you have a really large room it could be required and he did say most users were ordering the 7 without consulting him. He didn't think they were generally required. Mine is a 14w x 20d x 12h room with 8 HT seats. He also told me not to do the upgrade version either, despite the fact my DIs were the upgrade type. He said I wouldn't have a problem with the voicing between the two.

@doctorsubie @bullitt5094  Thanks for the response.

@bullitt5094 Congrats on your DI SE order. Are you keeping DIs or Eric trade-in DIs for DI SE?
Also do you know what is  the difference between 3 or 7 tweeter center channel?

Will there any difference if we go with 3 tweeter center given the main have 7 tweeters?

Thanks

Hi iamasif,

sorry for the delayed response--this Audiogon forum format is not very user friendly;

I have not had a chance to really test out the DIs w/ my set up; still need to find time to fiddle around w/ the Anthem AVM60 w/ ARC, etc...  soon though!

I ordered an upgrade set of the Double Impact SE today with a center channel. 4-6 weeks to ship Eric tells me. I'll post a review when I get them sorted out. I believe I'll have one of the first sets. At this point I'm trying to imagine how they could sound significantly better than the DIs I have now. In the meantime I have two phono pre-amps coming. The pro-ject Tube Box and the Emotiva SP-1. Going to compare tube vs SS. I also realize I need to upgrade my Denon 4520 too. Looking at Outlaw SS. That's going to be expensive for me, but I know that's the weak link in my signal chain right now with my Denon 4520

On the 4/8 ohm question, in conversations with Eric, he REALLY dislikes the idea of 8 ohm. His stance is, old technology and if you have an amp that requires it, you should replace it. He says his 4 ohm should be fine with any well designed tube amp.

@david_ten @kdude66 Thanks for your response. Just for my knowledge purpose i posted 4/8 ohm version question

Bob:

Same thing with the Atmos. Some people say meh.... and some people say it is a real eye opener if done right. I have no idea myself. As I say. I've just only had 5 speakers.

Hello jcarcopo,
Let me know if the new production Elrogs 300b prove to be reliable , obviously this will take time to determine. Ìt is a fabulous sounding tube in my amplifier but unfortunately unreliable. This reportedly has been resolved with the current batch per new ownership.
Charles

Hey Charles,

Sure thing! I’m hoping the quality problems are resolved with the Elrog too. Personally I feel for the price they should at least match if not exceed Emission Lab’s standard warranty, especially in light of past problems.

I've never had less that a 7.1 since we built the house with the HT so I really can't say if there is a huge difference with the 5.1. Maybe I'll shut down the rears and see. But my opinion is, at least in my environment, that 7.1 is enough and have never felt the need to go past that. But I also have never heard an Atmos system. So my opinion is lacking an important comparison. Maybe a good reason NOT to hear one and feel the need for 4-5 more speakers!