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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
 
Hi, Lak,
I'd never heard of the Von Schweikert db 99, which isn't surprising because according to some research I did, they may not have made more than 200 pairs of them before dropping them from the line-up.
Wow, they are gorgeous - you are lucky to have them. And the reviews are ecstatic! There's a guy on Audio Circle selling a pair right now for $5500, I think. Unless he's REALLY desperate to sell, I don't think we can come to a deal.
:-D
But thanks again for the interesting information!
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,928 posts
 
Atmasphere,
Rebbi's room is about 11x12, my office system, 14x16. Believe me, even true 92db, 8ohm, no problem. My 8 watt Coincident Dynamo is sublime with my 95db or 98db Lores depending on model. How loud do you listen? I generally like about 80db, sometime louder, never a problem. I could't listen much louder in a sustained way without ruining my ears. I really loved the Gizmo and OTL, but even he eventually went The Big Tannoy with 300B. Best Rob

The big Tannoys seem a better match for SETs. They also work well with our amps. FWIW, Harvey tampered with our amps when he had them at his place, and not in a good way.

Just so you know, SET listeners tend to play at lower levels due to the distortion aspects of the amp. Once you get over about 25% of the output power, the higher ordered harmonics come into play. The ear uses these as loudness cues, which is to say that when these distortions show up, the amp sounds like it is playing louder than it really is. So you tend to say "that's loud enough!".

I like to play the system at louder levels, but the amps that I use don't make the higher ordered harmonics until very near full power, so the system is absent of artificial loudness cues. IOW, at 95 db it does not sound loud at all.

My speakers are 98 db, my room is 17' x 22' and fairly well damped.

Audiokinesis makes speakers that are more efficient than the Coincidents, and often they are 16 ohms. If I am not mistaken they are less expensive as well. So they might be good to have on the radar as well.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,399 posts
 
How about These if any are still around in good operating condition.

Wouldn't cost much most likely.

I never cared for them off the common SS Japanese amps and receivers they were typically used with back in their day, but I would liketo hear them off a SET amp.
mikirob
955 posts
 
Hi Atmastphere,
All the tech stuff is well and good. I welcome your expertise, but bottom line in my home I just enjoy SET sound the most. I've been without a 300B DH SET for a couple of years, to be remedied very soon. I didn't mean to mislead readers, 80-85db is my usual listening level, but no problem cranking it a little, also about 95db on occasion. I didn't know Harvey well enough to comment on your OTL, but he did give sound advice on tweeking-up my 300Bs at the time as well as turning me on to thin silver wire to use with the 300Bs. Ultimately I think he convinced Goertz to make their original silver interconnect, I could be wrong about that.

I've only heard Audiokinesis once in my life and liked them, but before I drop the larger bucks once again I'm going to hit a lot of shows, get as much listening in that I can in New York, Chicago area and LA. High on my list is DeVore O/96, Daedalus, Line Magnet 755 Field Coil, Tannoy, Coincident and some others, you get the idea. Thanks again for your input.
mikirob
955 posts
 
P.S. I also meant to comment that in the meantime I'll be very content to live with the various Tekton that I own. Best, Rob
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