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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
22,330 posts
 
Hifis are like baseball teams. Ideally, you want 9 40 home run power hitters in teh lineup. That's optimal perforamnce. But realistically you will have some poor hitters and some good hitters with decent averages and on base % but not power hitters. They are good baseball players as well, many hall of famers.

So teh reality of things is that we often live quite happily with significant compromise compared to the ideal.

But the ideal is still best.

Oh, and some decent pitching and fielding does not hurt either.
mikirob
955 posts
 
Rebbi,
I am confused by much of your vacillation and think Brownsfan gave you superb advice; but did you, or did you not, like the sound of the Tekton overall? Do you want a speaker that spotlight in the stage? There are not too many speakers in the $1,700 range that are going to give you absolutely everything you desire, but I believe you know that...that is why in my value system I pushed the Tekton idea, it gets you 90-95% of what the big buck speakers do; that is the aggregate consensus of more than a half-dozen quality Review Mavens from respected publications. You made a stellar decision with regard to an amp, the AN Kit. Perhaps, as Brownsfan suggested, hold on to the DeCapo, live with their bottom end limitation until you can save up for something that give the whole Megillah. Another thought with respect to the Tekton you heard. The limitation you thought you heard in imaging I believe is due to your cabling, interconnect, and perhaps something else not discovered due to your lack of time with said speaker. As I stated previously I do not have that problem with either the M-Lore or Lore. Also, maybe Eric is correct and the Tekton 2.0 is the ticket being that it is 98db efficient, 8 ohm nominal, digs down to 34hz. Plus, being taller. Statically this speaker betters the M-Lore/Lore. I also believed your room was smaller than it actually is, this 2.0 version will not overload your room based on dimension and shape as you recently described. Regardless, best in this pursuit. Rob
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,850 posts
 
A few comments.
I also listen at lower than typical volumes. I frequently have to fight with salon proprietors to turn it down when I audition new equipment. In my case, those lower volumes represent realistic volumes. Bach cantatas are seldom performed at 105 dB. So, Ralph, no worries! You did not confuse me by presenting the facts as dictated by physics and math.

My problem is that I played in several orchestras over the years and my wife was a singer. I've seen her singing in a Bach Cantata and FWIW 105 db is **easy** when the full choir is singing at a double forte (ff)! Having such exposure to the real thing (which is on-going; I operate a recording studio and play in a band), playing with peaks at only 75-80 db is good for background music when I am reading or cleaning up the kitchen but not if I am seriously listening. What if you want to play Wagner (Das Reingold, Decca, Sir George Solti conducting, side 6) or Verdi (Verdi Requiem, RCA Soria series, side one cut 2)?? 80 or 85 db peaks ain't gonna cut it- you need the unrestricted ability to play well past 100db without incurring artificial loudness cues (previously mentioned in prior posts) from the system.

With a low powered amp this means high efficiency and make no mistake. If you have 91 db, the is a moderate efficiency and although you may like what you hear, just keep in mind that you are not really hearing what the amp is about and for that matter the speaker as well and it just goes to show. Seems a poor investment to me, unless you are in a fairly small room or office.

But that's me- I figure if you are going through the trouble and the cash, might as well be able to really enjoy the music the way it was recorded. Others might differ on that...
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,330 posts
 
One way to be happy with lower volume levels at home after experiencing what can occur live with an orchestra is to only sit further back in the cheaper seats. or listen to outdoor live concerts only. Not as hard to reproduce those SPL levels experienced at home.

Its all a matter of expectations really.

I went to see John Fogerty live on Monday. It was a fantastic show, great tunes, fantastic musicians, lots of energy, good sound, and loud loud loud. But sound quality was good with distortion well under control. When I go to these things I am always assessing "can I attempt to reproduce this at home" and I leave feeling good about that.

In my case, with only modest efficiency full range speakers, my amps are my power hitters needed to carry the team. In the case of a SET, it would need to be very high efficiency speakers based on what I have heard to date.
brownsfan
1,508 posts
 
Ralph, I guess I will have to take my dB meter next time I take in a St. Matthew Passion. I favor small ensemble, period instrument, even at times, one voice per part, which I doubt would give anything like 105 dB mid hall. My current set up, with the 94 dB monitors driven by the Coincident Franks, is not the set up I would prefer for Das Reingold. Walala, weiala weia! With apologies to Herr Wagner, the ring gets a couple playings a year. Bach plays night and day around here.

The pairing is, in my opinion, absolutely sublime with the material that garners 95% of my listening time. I could get it all, no doubt, but at what cost? I have $7.5 K in my amp speaker pairing, and for what it does, which addresses 95% of my needs, it outperforms everything I've heard even at 5 x the price. As for the room, it is 15 x 20, with a long wall set up.

I hear what you are saying, but I remain happy where I am. It seems a prudent investment to me.
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