The peculiarities of a high value, low cost, amp

@mapman Ok, you’ve drawn me how is the soundstage? How is the ’realism’ of an instrument, say a drum set, or a double-bass, a piano, etc.

Soundstage, realism are both top notch. Drums, piano, bass, no matter.

The amps are Bel Canto ref1000m and BEl Canto c5i.

I also have Vanatoo Transparent One Encore active speakers. Each is bi-amped internally with separate Class D amps. These are small but deliver similar results way above their size and cost.

I’ve used a variety of speakers, currently Ohm, KEF and Vanatoo, but also Dynaudio and Triangle in the past.

Class D would probably not be my first choice with high efficiency speakers. Tube amps are definitely best suited for that paradigm.   I might still go Class D in lieu of a tube amp with high efficiency speakers.

I'm running a Schiit Saga (SS/Tube, model), and the Cambridge CD transport. Modi 3 DAC. These are my examples of inexpensive components that together amount to what is practically a revelation in audio, in my space. I owned Vandersteen 2CI's for over twenty years, and often frequented the local high-end stores. Most recently, I auditioned the Maggie 1.7's and the Klipsch Cornwall IV. The 1.7's have no bottom end, to speak of, and if I'm going to add twin REL subs to a system, I might as well look for other options. The Moabs don't need any added bass boost. I also auditioned, on two occasions, the Cornwall IV, for sale at the princely sum of $6600 and they play big. A gorgeous sounding speaker, for sure, but about $2K more than the Moabs. I don't think they are any better, although the Klipsch is somewhat easier to drive. I had not heard the Moabs, nor any other Tekton (before purchase), but I'm a researcher and I felt that the roll of the dice was worth it, plus it included a valuable "adventure" into the unknown element, and I'm not at all unhappy with the result.

These Moabs are incredibly involving speakers, and as many owners have said, they reveal everything downstream. My experience is that you really don't have to spend $2-3000 to $10,000 on every component in a system, to get the real thing: big, effortless, vividly real, involving, at times mesmerizing sound. And no, for those pondering the Beryllium, I don't think you are going to see some sort of great "improvement," only a somewhat different presentation, and the situation is such that it's almost impossible to compare the beryllium with the non-beryllium option, which is kinda cool, actually. I went non-beryllium, because I like the idea of utter coherence between drivers, and they delivery fully- the speakers sing.

I have previously cited an experience I had at a Jazz event in January, where the sound of the drum stick hitting the cymbal metal released sound that was not metal, was almost not metallic at all. The sound was of pure beauty, not harsh, not hitting, just a releasing of pure distinct, shimmering notes. The "purity" of the live event called on me, again and again, during that intimate setting. With a good recording, where the perceptive insight and planning of a sound engineer are maximized, the Moabs produce a sound event that leaves me just about as satisfied as my experience in the jazz club, back in January. I'll leave it there...

@mrdecibel I bought the cable you recommended, around the time I bought the amp you recommended - the STA200. So, the low impedance of the speakers, when the bass notes are maximized, can call for more juice than it wants to convey. The speaker/amp combo does produce some awesome "crunching" drum impact; it's the VERY big and low notes - the "the cars that go BOOM!" impacts that leave the amp somewhat withering, certainly not rising to the occasion. 

@jl35 I'm running the Schiit Saga pre. Loving the combo with the STA.

@jengelmann What tube amp are you running and how are you measure the impedance on your Moabs? Terry London claimed they were a nominal 4ohm load... I understand "nominal" to mean they do not drop below 4ohm, but I don't know that he measured the speakers...

@bigshutterbug Does the Job handle a 4ohm load? Is the power rating specified for 4ohms? How about 3.1, assuming Jengelmann is accurate... I don't want another version of the same problem I'm facing with the STA200. When I looked, I could not find a 4 ohm spec for the 225 (Job).

Where are the sellers of the Crown concept, backing up their claims with vivid examples on equivalent equipment? 

Anyone familiar with Lofty's Roach Soufflé?

Hello Listening99:
The 225 amp drives 8 ohm and "not-so-difficult" 4ohm loads pretty well, but it would not be considered a high current amp by any means. If your speakers drop down to the 3 ohm area, and are not real efficient or you tend to drive them hard, you may want to look at a different amp. Unfortunately, at that price point, I have not heard any that sound even near as good. 
Yes, I've listen to Lofty's Roach Souffle' for many years. One of my favorite Harry Connick albums, and a pretty good recording too!

I'm surprised your having issues with the  Moab's, the specs would indicate they should be more then satisfied with 80wpc. even much less. I'd try borrowing another amp from a dealer or friend and see if its just the amp not delivering. As I suspect a better quality amp even less powerful may be interesting to try.  I'd try to borrow some different amps ( even an integrated) to try see the differences. maybe if there are some local Audio-goners who may  help.  

Tekton specs them at 98db 6ohm with out knowing more on the specs that would indicate easy to drive to me, even low powered tube SET may apply. Or so you'd think from the specs listed, I've never heard a set of Tekton's though, would like to.   

@bigshutterbug Perhaps it's system synergy, but LRS is crazy good on my system. Do you recommend any other recordings of Jazz with that same artful synergy that you find in the Connick album I've described? I've gotten quite a bit out of Patricia Barber of late - her work is vivid, the recordings are also vivid, her voice beautiful, but often I want to let go of words and hear only instruments, echoes of places.