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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
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,739 posts
 
Tubegroover,

I'm with you on teh pros and cons of teh Quads. They were one of my main references when undergoing changes in my gear in recent years. Macrodynamics being the main limitation.

My other reference is all manner of live performances. I go to and soak in as many as I can.

Still, I ended up going a certain way to achieve my reference sound. Interestingly each "walks that lonesome valley" in their own way despite often having similar goals and references.

Tubes have helped me along teh way but I am still of teh opinion that they are optional in that quest and I am still seeking to minimize my dependencies and finding I am able to make progress in that direction.

My philosophy is to attempt to take advantage of modern technical advances and innovations. Digital and related technologies have made great strides in recent years. I am finding I can ride that wave a lot further these days then I was able to even just a couple years ago, when I turned more to tubes to help close the gap.
keithr
1,306 posts
 
I'd be curious if the 8 watt SET folks on this thread have tried 845s to see if the sound was more effortless.

I had a 10-watt, stereo First Watt SIT on my 100 db Zu Def IVs and it started breaking up in the mid-90s. The adjustable bias, monoblock SIT-1s (same 10 watts though) however could give me more range.

Also, when I was looking to purchase a Shindo amp, the 10-watt SE Cortese was not recommended by JH given my speaker specs- only the P/P EL34 model and single-ended GM70 monos.

Every room and speaker is different, but I'd like to hear those who have tried multiple SET amps.
pehare's avatar
pehare
838 posts
 
I bought a new Coincident Dynamo & pretty quickly determined it wasn't going to cut it power wise for my louder listening. It was a great experiment because for years I've lusted after the Frankensteins but 8 watts per channel ain't gonna cut it in my world. Been enjoying my RM10 for over 4 years now w/nary a glitch & it's a phenomenal combo w/the Partials. Every room & system is a different animal.
mikirob
955 posts
 
Pehare,
I also loved my RM 10, I was stupid for selling them about 10 years ago, but I love the Coincident Dynamo even more. Like anything audio, careful system synergy, your ears, your room. Best, Rob
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
12,101 posts
 
So, Atmasphere,
Then why don't we have manufacting that promotes high efficiency nominal 8 ohm or higher speakers. Seems like it makes amp manufacting funnel into a narrow "limiting" high power proposition that does Limit and force a specific choice that doesn't often times serve music by my definition, but does loud/dynamic. As a maker of a fine amp, don't you realize many benefits with more efficient speakers in the manufacturing process.

I'm a big advocate of high efficiency- tube power is expensive! My speakers at home are 98 db and 60 watts is pretty good power on them and I don't feel like the extra power is wasted at all. I like to play things at a lifelike level. I'm also an advocate of higher impedance- 8 ohms or more. This reduces the distortion of all amplifiers, tube, solid state, class D, whatever. Higher impedance is also a lot less critical of speaker cables and connections! IOW if high quality reproduction is your goal, there really is no good reason to use a 4 ohm speaker. If sound pressure is your goal and you have solid state then there is a reason, albeit a 3 db reason... it would be cool if speaker manufacturers figured this out as a simple way to make any speaker sound smoother and more detailed is to reduce the distortion of the amp by increasing the impedance of the speaker.

Ralph I stand by my statement that there is no perfect amplifier, some will excel in some sonic areas and be less than ideal in another. We choose the tradeoffs we can live with.

Restated in this fashion I've got no beef; I agree 100%.

One of the huge strengths of SETs that many audiophiles don't realize is that 'first watt'. SETs might make a lot of distortion at full power, but as the power output is reduced the distortion decreases linearly to unmeasurable- at lower power levels most push-pull amps make a lot more distortion (one of the few exceptions being our OTLs which have the same reduction of distortion as power is reduced). This is where that great 'inner detail' and 'magic' comes from- without distortion you just get the music (distortion masks low level detail via the ear's masking principle).

That's a lot harder to do than it sounds!

This is why if you really want to hear what the amp does you need a speaker with real efficiency.
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