Tekton Double Impacts

I just spent four hours listening to the DI's being driven only by the Micro-ZOTL preamplifier/amplifier, instead of the ZOTL-40 Micro-ZOTL combo in my system and it significantly out preformed the pair!

Across the sonic board- sound-staging, imaging , timbres, etc. the Micro-ZOTL was better, but what really shocks me is that the overall dynamics and the quality of the bass frequencies are better then the forty watt amplifier.  As I said when I heard this in Mike's system it might be the "purist" reproduction of music I have ever heard.  Well, it is a SET using the great 6SN7 TongSol Black Glass Oval Plate NOS 1940's tube, which I find to be one of the most beautiful input tubes of all.  Now I know what it sounds like as a power tube. 

So, at least with the DI's the LTA preamp/amplifier is all you need to get beautiful reference level quality sound without out any downsides regarding volume levels/macro-dynamics.  The only other factor that Mike and I discovered is that Micro-ZOTL and DI's combo sounds great with a reasonable good DAC, however it jumps up to another level when being driven by the Concert Fidelity-battery powered DAC.



 

Teajay,
Given the 1 watt power limitation of the Micro ZOTLhow does it present complex symphonic orchestral music? I could imagine that with acoustic jazz (what I listen to 90 % of the time) it could be pure organic bliss. This suggests that a high quality SET of 6 to 10 watts may be a very viable option.  I'm surprised that the DI is so easily driven given its 4 ohm nominal impedance. 
Charles

Thanks for the update teajay. Like Charles I'm surprised the 4 ohm DI's could be driven by 1 watt. I'll have to give it a try though. I find my 24 watt Decware to sound sublime for 95% of my listening but crave more volume for live recordings. Guess I could use the micro-ZOTL for most of my listening and either switch to the ZOTL 40 for those times I want more volume or forgo the ZOTL 40 all together and use my SS theater system for louder volume listening. Using only the micro-ZOTL would save me enough money for some sweet NOS tubes for it. This hobby never seems to lack for options!

Hi gentlemen,

If you think you guys are surprised, just imagine my shock at hearing this the last couple of days!

As far as playing "complex symphonic orchestral music" how about Copland's "FANFARE FOR THE COMMON MAN" at over 100Db with prefect clarity and room pressuring bass/dynamics or Radiohead's ARNESIAC with my very large room being shaken because of the bass lines.

So, mac48025 I don't know how loud you like to play certain music, but for me the Micro-ZOTL provides as much volume I need on all types of music.  I agree with you Charles all types of SET/low watt amps would work wonderfully with the DI's.  Mike is going to try his Concert Fidelity 300B amp in the next couple of days.     

Color me shocked......but I'm ordering a MZ2-S soon along with some NOS Tungsol Black Oval Plate 6SN7 tubes. Over 100 db? That's much louder than I need. Can you imagine a reference level pre/amp/speaker system for less than $6K total? Hopefully my PS Audio Perfectwave transport and DAC will suffice as reasonable good to get the most from the micro ZOTL/DI combo. 

Thanks again for sharing teajay, this is exciting!