Tekton Double Impacts

Hi Charles, Your additional perspective is appreciated.

Unfortunately I did not have the opportunity to audition or demo the Pass XA 30.8 prior to purchase. But in the case of the 30.8, it's been out for a few years and extensively reviewed and discussed. Definitely not the leap that some gear can be.

Kenny was very helpful in my evaluation of First Watt vs the .8 series. He, as you and others here at Agon know, is a certified First Watt Head.

Though he didn't succeed in walking me to First, he did throw a strike when I got to the fork with a choice on either side. : )  The Dutch are still pissed off, but I don't think they are that into baseball.

As to " easily pass[ing] [no pun intended] the realistic/-believable tone/timbre test" I'm not sure. Which is my point. I would say the same of the Franks or the MZ2S Triode 2A3 combination. 

Enjoyable, absolutely! Including your pairing as well as others.

Speaking of enjoyable and musical...I just rotated Volti Audio Rival (Horn Hybrid) speakers into my system. Very, very nice!!!

David,
I’ve heard Volta a few times at shows (but only with the Border Patrol amplifiers) and they were good sounding speakers.

I think that the tone and timbre is a more simplistic issue for me and probably more of a dilemma for you. By that I mean I don’t analyze it to the extent you do. I am simplcstic in that I really just rely on what I hear and go with my reaction to it. That makes sense as we’re 2 people who have their own individual quests, standards and approach to audio. True diversity if you will 😊

No doubt that your Pass Labs XA 30.8 does justice to both the Volti  and Double Impact speakers. I can tell you that the First Watt amplifier loaned to me sounds very fine driving my Coincident Total Eclipse II speakers. I hope you’re having an enjoyable Labor day.
Charles

David, I have heard Greg's Rival's at 2 shows with BP kit, always fun, engaging, wildly dynamic and live sounding, rooms I just want to hear what music they're going to play next. I heard the DIs at Lance's, not broken in and with prototype tubes, very dynamic, great detail along with nice tone and richness, bass a little light and soundstage just needed some more work on placement, a real affordable bargain in the High End, and soon I'll hear them broken in with Mirror Image or Benchmark SS amps. Please give us your thoughts on a comparison between them. 

@klh007 , im loving the DI's and interestingly enough using the Mirror Image there is much more bass now with this rare gem of a SS amp. As much as I enjoyed the Benchmark AHB2 it sounds a little anemic in comparison. I think David would agree since during his visit we played both. You will need to return for another listen. Unfortunately I will have to return this amp to David eventually.

Lance

Lance, We had the MI gear at Excalibur in Olde Town Alexandria, it was one of a few amps to compete with Krell, better sonically and just missing the cachet that was Krell back then. Now I really want to hear your system, before the 1.1 goes back to Annandale.