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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
rebbi OP
1,326 posts
 
Rob,
When I spoke with Eric Alexander and asked him about my choices and about the De Capo, which he said he was quite familiar with (but did not try to trash, which I respected) he basically said something along the lines of, "The Lore would be an entirely different experience, rough if the music is rough, loud if the music is loud, dynamic like a live performance…"
As Charles said, I really value the fact that you have had the opportunity to hear these two speakers side-by-side. And I think that I probably am suffering somewhat under the "how good can it be for that kind of money" syndrome. But not enough to prevent me from giving it a try if it looks like the best option! I am interested, by the way, in your comment that "in every other parameter [besides bass] the Tekton was as good or better than the De Capo." That's kind of what I was wondering about. You have to understand that I am so consistently thrilled with what I am hearing with the Kit 1 and the De Capo that I'm almost afraid to mess with success.
sebrof's avatar
sebrof
835 posts
 
Rebbi, come and try my Katz already!
rebbi OP
1,326 posts
 
Sebrof,
Will do... I just need for things to slow down at work so I can escape the office. ;-)
Have you found similarities between the Katz and the Lore, since you've owned both?
mikirob
955 posts
 
Rebbi,
I like the De Capo a lot; but I like both Tektons much better. First, the bass is really, really good. Remember, I am a bass player. The Tekton is easy to drive, benevolent 8 ohm impedance, 95db, 98db efficiency, 38hz or 30hz bass. They throw a huge stage, in my room usually wall-to-wall if the recording has it, deep and nicely layered. The height is normally close to life-like. Female vocals like Ella check. One of my go-to Jazz CDs is: Louia Armstrong/Duke Ellington, The Great Summit/Complete Sessions/Delux Edition. You want to talk "truth of timbre", harmonic rightness, natural organic sound this CD will show it in spades, full, rich, just glorious! I feel like I'm in a small club and Sach, Duke, everybody is there in all their life-sized reach out and touch them. Louis' trumpet, the Duke's piano, Trummy Young's trombone doesn't get much better, Barney Bigard on clarinet is so live I had to invite my niece over to play hers to compare. If only she had Barney's talent...Danny Barcelona on drums, cymbals and brushes so perfect, and last, but not least, Mort Herbert playing a five foot tall bass that nailed strings slapping with buzz and body, the notes just floated so naturally, nice decays. This is not hyperbole.

On a classical recording such as Bartok Concerto for Orchestra, Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta, Hungarian Sketches (Fritz Reiner, CSO) on RCA Living Stereo, the dynamics are phenomenal. This is truly a great recording to test your speakers. That big U of orchestra is there and it is easy to pick out all the instruments in their rightful spots.

I have no connection to Tekton. I have enjoyed quality sound both live and recorded since childhood on some of the best audio stuff ever produced. For $1,500 bucks you can get 90% there. As alway YMMV.
rebbi OP
1,326 posts
 
Mikirob,
Thanks.
One more question: How do they fare at lower volumes? Some speakers need to be played loud to "wake up," so to speak. How are the Lores in this regard?
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