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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
mikirob
955 posts
 
Rebbi,
You read the Audiogon thread Zu Omen vs Lore, it came out overwhelmingly for Lore. But as always trust your own ears in your environment . Wishing you the best. Rob
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Rob,
That is the beauty of constructing and developing your home audio system, it is what sounds best to your ears and not to others. There are no gurus when it comes to deciding what suits you best, this is something we all must decide for ourselves. My push pull amp has good tone, timber, harmonics and dynamics, in fact very good. The fact of the matter is as soon as I inserted the SET into the system, its superior sound and presentation was indisputable in my opinion. People can tout power all they want and if that works for them and is the better solution then that is fine for them obviously. In terms of emotional engagement, organic/natural
reproduction and purity of tone the SET amplifier has been consistently
superior in my listening experience. Other's mileage may and will vary.
Charles,
rebbi OP
1,326 posts
 
Rob,
I promise I'm not dithering on all these speaker possibilities just to aggravate you. ;-)
Yes, absolutely, I have read the Zu vs. Tekton thread. Thing is, the Omen Mk. II is just out, and that's two iterations removed from the version being discussed on that thread, IIRC. What's tempting is that Zu offers a 60 day trial (like Tekton) and will pay for return shipping with no restocking fee if you're not happy. I don't know of anybody else who's doing that.
The other thing that got me thinking about Zu is that a reviewer who hangs out on Audio Asylum and the Steve Hoffman Forums mentioned that he has never cared for any Zu speaker until he heard the latest version of the Omen Def, which he loved. That, too, got my attention.
mikirob
955 posts
 
Rebbi,
Believe me when I say you are not aggravating me in the least. I'm actually chuckling a little bit thinking, poor Rebbi, he has a case of audio nervosa. Again, as Charles stated, ultimately you trust your own ears in your environment. I, like many here are attempting to be helpful due to our experience. How much does the new Zu cost? Just curios, I'll look them up, no ax to grind, many people like them very much. I don't so much. So, right now more than a half dozen positive in depth reviews plus personal testimony from a number of Agon members, plus you heard the Tekton Reference and Katz for yourself, yet one reviewer on Audio Ayslum liked the new Zu, that got your attention?
mikirob
955 posts
 
Yikes!!! $3,600 for the Zu Omen Def MKII. Here I thought we were discussing speakers for less than what you could get for the DeCapo and have some $$$ left over for some decent cables. OK, I promise to stop trying so hard to get you great value speakers that play in the ballpark with many of the costly big boys. Same goes for the wiring.

Thanks for all your info on the AN Kit-1, my wife and I will build it based on your blog and other stellar reports, hook them up to the $1,000 Tekton Lore and never look back. Happy hunting. Best Rob
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