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Tekton Double Impacts

Anybody out there heard these??

I have dedicated audio room 14.5x20.5x9 ft.  Currently have Marantz Reference CD/Intergrated paired to Magnepan 1.7's with REL T-7 subs.  For the vast majority of music I love this system.  The only nit pick is that it is lacking/limited in covering say below 35 hz or so.  For the first time actually buzzed the panel with an organ sacd. Bummer.  Thought of upgrading subs to rythmicks but then I will need to high pass the 1.7's.  Really don't want to deal with that approach.

Enter the Double Impacts.  Many interesting things here.  Would certainly have a different set of strengths here.  Dynamics, claimed bottom octave coverage in one package, suspect a good match to current electronics.

I've read all the threads here so we do not need to rehash that.  Just wondering if others out there have FIRST HAND experience with these or other Tekton speakers

Thanks.
corelli
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 

Teajay,

It's fair to say that we are both passionate listeners of "straight ahead" acoustic jazz (both live venue and recordings). Would it be accurate to say you're enjoying this current system more than your previous reference system (Pass Labs amps, Concert Fidelity preamp and Lawrence Audio Cello? Just curious.

Charles

david_ten
5,480 posts
 
Options on choices for a stand alone 2ch Preamp / linestage???

This is in service of the Double Impacts in 2ch and HT mode. Plus some additional component integration.  Budget is 5.5K tops, but I very much prefer that the purchase comes to no more than 3K.  My struggle with the choice has to do with functionality vs. pure 2ch sound quality performance.

I'd love to go the LTA route, especially based on Terry's and others' experiences but for now it is too limited  in application, for my needs.

The Coincident Statement Linestage is a small step up functionally, and is the bare minimum I can accept. Another option with similar functionality is Mastersound.

The Backert Labs Preamp (the Rhumba 1.2) brings another step up in function, with XLR in/out and bypass.

On the upper end of my functional scale is the Wyred4Sound STP-SE. A tubed option, that offers a similar level of function, is Accustic Arts. Both, I believe, are fully balanced designs.

I realize that many posting in this thread lean towards tubes, which is great because having a tubed preamp is preferable... my chain is all solid state at present; However, I am open to a solid state preamp, as evidenced by the W4S.

I'm sure there are many other very good options. Hope you are able to help. Thanks in advance.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 

David,

Considering the functionality you need, I believe the Backert would suit you fine. Reviews and owner feedback comments suggest it is really quite fine sounding yet offers flexibility.  . It may be hard to beat when all factors are considered. Teajay says it sounds "great" if not quite the equal of the LTA ZOTL but that's out of the picture for you.  In your desired price range it's likely very hard to do better. Oh one more option, people talk about the Don Sachs 6SN7 preamp in glowing terms.

Charles

mac48025's avatar
mac48025
672 posts
 
Teajay,

Thanks for once again sharing your experiences with us. Talking to Mark at LTA he said turning the MZ2 volume all the way up is the same as removing it. I'll see if he can make mine without the volume control as I use the volume control on my DAC. I already ordered some NOS 40's RCA 12sn7's and 12at7's for the MZ2. 

Im still up in the air on an amp. ZOTL 10 or 40? A 2A3 SET? A 300B SET? Think I'll enjoy just using the MZ2 alone for a while before committing to an amp. Acoustic jazz is what I mostly listen to, so it should suffice. I'd like to end this audio carousel I've been on and settle down to one last system. Quit laughing!!!! :)

Charles,

I am currently leaning towards the Frank's. 300B SET monoblocks for about the same price as the ZOTL 40. Combing the magic of the MZ2 with the "meat and bones" of a 300B SET could be special. I can always try the Coincident Line Stage down the road to see how it compares with the MZ2 as there might be a special synergy between the LS and Frank's. 
corelli OP
999 posts
 
mac, it should be fairly easy to bypass the volume control.  How are you with a soldering iron??  I'm like you and don't even care for switches I don't need in the circuit.
Might not want to order it without the volume control--not that you would ever sell it! :)
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