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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
 
Jet -

Hey! :-) My soldering gun wielding DIY guru! :-D

I have only heard AN speakers once, at the California Audio Show in the AN room a few years ago, and it was my favorite room! The only room, in fact, that I kept returning to. The dynamics and "realness" of the music pouring out of those puppies was addictive. Of course, AN had them paired with all manner of hyper-expensive AN electronics, but the bottom line was that the sound that day was dreamy.

I don't think I can make a valid comparison with the Lore Reference because it's been too long and I don't trust my sonic memory that far. But if I could afford any current AN speaker I'd jump in a heartbeat, believe me. My only concern is that corner placement's not possible in my current room.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,330 posts
 
Reb,

My experience with the AN speakers at Capital Audiofest a couple years back mirrors yours almost to a tee.
rebbi OP
1,326 posts
 
Map,
Yeah, they were REALLY something. If I could get a huge price break from Brian of ANK, I'd jump at the opportunity to build one of the kits. But he buys those direct from AN UK, and by the time they are shipped and imported I don't think he has much wiggle room on price. :-/
mikirob
955 posts
 
Rebbi,
Couldn't agree more with most your post, as I always state truthfully, YMMV, you do not have to like what I like; but to be completely honest you must also admit that perhaps you rushed, didn't have the time to properly set-up, plus as stated are using a "mishmash" of power, speaker and interconnect; and your comments about imaging and coherence border on the ridiculous and absurd. Not one respected Reviewer, nor do I agree with you. When I compared the $3,000 DeCapo to primarily the $650 M-Lore, I carefully set them up in my office system where I normally run the M-lore. I used the well-known Sheffield Test CD, which was recorded in a "live" room 32x18x13. From the Sheffield notes: A closely matched pair of classic AKG C24 vacuum tube stereo microphones was used, in a matrixed array, and, if your system can reproduce it, you will find that the special representation is simply phenomenal!
That's the point of the track--to see exactly how well your system can reproduce space.
Doug Sax walks around the room with a pair of claves (wooden "click sticks"), talking and clicking the claves. As he moves, he tells exactly where he is in relation to microphones. When he finally stops in the center of the room (about 6 feet from the microphones) he's joined by Roger Skoff (about 8 feet back) and they both start talking at the same time!
Not only does this track give you a VERIFIABLE check of your System's ability to IMAGE and accurately reproduce a soundstage, unraveling the two voices and BEING ABLE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT BOTH ARE SAYING constitutes a supreme test of resolution and Clarity! Quoted from the Sheffield Booklet describing the main test. The Tekton easily flew through the Resolution, Clarity, Coherent, test. The DeCapo did nearly as well as the Tekton on this test; but the Tekton bettered the DeCapo when Sax was on the back wall, more clear and resolved, the claves had more body, louder with more body and weight.
So, I call BS on the imaging, resolution, clarity. Additionally, there is no drift, images is rock solid.
jetrexpro
506 posts
 
Rebbi once I heard the AN-e's I saved money and waited for a used pair to become available and snatched them up when they did. I think I paid around 4200 shipped.
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