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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
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Tubegroover,
There's absolutely no offense taken by any stretch of the imagination. We're just all sharing our varied experiences and opinions. The irony for me is that the SET ownere here as a group are about as an experienced bunch you'll ever find. We've as a group have owned or experienced a multitude of different amplifiers and by this time and place know what we want and how to get it. Class A, AB, D, SS or tube, OTL push pull, you name it and we've heard them collectively. Those of us who've chosen SET did so willingly, enthusiastically and with both eyes open. This has been a good discussion.
Charles,
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,549 posts
 
The key to good sound is all about low noise and distortion.

Agree with Ralph that a major difference and potential advantage of a set is that first watt or so and results will depend on how far you can make that go.
rebbi OP
1,326 posts
 
I'm loving learning from you folks. :-)

And remember Rebbi's Rule (TM): "A thread ain't a thread until it's hit 500 posts."

:-D
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
As Rob, Grannyring and I have mentioned previously, our typical listening volume is 75 to 85 db. At this level power required is less than 1 watt (actually fractions of 1 watt) for our speakkers. Distortion is miniscule, resolution/detail retrieval is superb benefitting tone and timbre. No need/desire to listen at louder levels(unless you just want to). Result=excellent sound with preservation of one's precious hearing ability.
Charles,
gsm18439
895 posts
 
Keithr

I tried 3 SETs on my Zu Def IVs. First, an EAR859, then a Yamamoto 08, then a DejaVu 2a3.

I thought the EAR859 to be too sterile. The Yamamoto 08 (45 SET) and DejaVu 2a3 did not have enough oomph. (Caveat: I have very long speaker wire runs - under the floor to the other side of the room.) I am very happy with an Ancient Audio SET using Takatsuki 300b tubes and driven by an Ancient Audio CDP/preamp combination. (There were major differences among 300b tubes.) This combination can fill a large (45' x 22' x 16' high) volume - although the front third - 15' x 22' x 16' high with the speakers on the long wall - is the primary listening space. This is regardless of the music that I play to include full scale chorus and orchestra as well as classical rock. And it does so without sounding overly loud and never strained.

I have heard the SIT monos with the ZuDef IVs at a show, but I have not heard any 845 amp. I have also tried powerful solid state amps, but did not sense any increased output. I think that the built-in amp for the down-firing sub mitigates any weakness of low-power SETs.
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