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High value, high efficiency speakers for SET amps

Hi, Gang,
I know that some of what I want to discuss here has been dealt with in other threads, some of them quite old, but I wanted to see if any of you fine, knowledgable folks are willing to help update and consolidate some of this info in a more current thread.
I am currently running my new Audio Note Kit 1 300B SET amp with a pair of Reference 3A De Capo speakers. I think it's a fine pairing and I am really enjoying what the 300B SET experience brings to the table in terms of musicality and emotional connection.
Still the De Capo, while supposedly an easy load due to its crossover-less design (only 1 cap on the tweeter with the mid-woofer directly coupled to the amp), is "only" rated at 92 db efficient, and based on the most recent Canadian NRC specs, that rating may be optimistic.
So, I am toying with the idea of trying a pair of more efficient, deliberately SET-friendly speakers in my rig, something that might also play lower and with greater dynamic swing than the De Capo's. Note that the De Capo's have served me well and I am very fond of them, but I can't help but wonder if my lovely Kit 1 would shine even better coupled to a VERY easy to drive speaker.
Devore and Audio Note are obvious options - the O/96 looks really tasty. Unfortunately, both of those choices are out of my budget, which I'm thinking maxes out (for real) at around $1500. I am willing to consider used equipment.
Tekton Lore 2.0: This is the speaker that Eric Alexander of Tekton has recommended when we've spoken on the phone, based upon my medium-small listening room and amp. I've read the epic "Lore vs. Zu" thread elsewhere in this forum, and clearly Tekton has its enthusiastic fans here. What I wonder is whether the Lore 2.0 has the refinement of the De Capo in terms of resolution, sweet high end and imaging. Audiogon'er Mikirob has pointed me to the many rave reviews of Tekton's speakers and I'm definitely interested.
I've corresponded with the Sonist folks (who are super nice) but their really high-efficiency, nearly-full-range floor stander is out of my budget.
Then there's the "vintage" route, going after some used JBL's or other high-efficiency "classics" from the 80's (or '70's). I am not inclined to go in this direction, but mention it because it's been suggested to me.
And then there's Omega. I spoke to Louis some time ago and he recommended his 7XRS hemp cone model. But I know all the raps on single driver designs and I'm cautious, although I would like to hear from any of you who own or have owned Omega's.
I'm in no rush to make a switch but I am very interested in your thoughts. Thanks, folks!
rebbi
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,761 posts
 
4)I note that John Atkinson states in his measurements of the older de Capo i version of the speaker that "the speaker's low-frequency tuning is actually a little on the overdamped side." If the same holds true of Rebbi's BE version, its sonics could presumably benefit from the low damping factor of a SET.

This would make it a good choice for an OTL as well, and no worries about power or bandwidth.
mrdecibel
3,062 posts
 
I have been a Klipsch fan for a long time, owning many other designs, brands and models. Owning several pair of Klipsch models, from (all modified) Lascalas, to Epic CF2s, F3s and KG4.2s, I find them to be quite lifelike, and, they all do well with tubes. Optimum room placement and listener distance makes them a winner, at their price points. And, at current used prices, you have nothing to lose. Not perfect, as nothing is. But, more virtues, and less shortcomings, imo. Mentioned above, previous to me, here. MrD
rebbi OP
1,326 posts
 
Coli and Mrdecibel,

I've thought of Klipsch; the pricing of a lot of their floor-standers is certainly very reasonable by high-end standards. The thing is, I find their line to be so huge and diverse that I can't figure out what to even consider. Amazon carries a ton of Klipsch gear, as does our local Fry's Electronics.
roxy54's avatar
roxy54
7,942 posts
 
Rebbi,
What state do you live in?
sebrof's avatar
sebrof
835 posts
 
05-04-15: Rebbi
Coli and Mrdecibel,

I've thought of Klipsch; the pricing of a lot of their floor-standers is certainly very reasonable by high-end standards. The thing is, I find their line to be so huge and diverse that I can't figure out what to even consider. Amazon carries a ton of Klipsch gear, as does our local Fry's Electronics.
If Klipsch, my suggestion is to look on Craigslist for their Heritage line of speakers. That's how I got a used pair of Klipschorns. That was about 5 speakers ago for me.

When I think of them I still feel a twinge in my back from when I sold them and we loaded them in the guy's truck (and a ringing in my ear from that squawker horn).
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