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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
22,379 posts
 
The TAD Hibachis are a unique design. Take a look at the design aspects listed for them and you'll see. Tube Audio Design specialized in tube gear and the designer had a very devoted following. They do use some kind of tube in the power feed.

I bought them as an experiment to try to achieve "tube amp" sound with SS. THese accomplish that quite well I would say. I suspect many or most would have difficulty identifying them as a SS amp in a blind test against some of teh better tube amps out there I have heard in that they have no audible vices that I can detect. Plus they are very transparent and seem to take on teh sound of the gear they are used with more than anything else. I've heard that using them in both my systems with very different gear at various times. I feel confident they would outpeform a SET amp with most less efficient speaekrs out there for sure.

So if one is truly interested in a SS amp that might do teh trick, and work well with most any spaekers, for very reasonable cost, these are the guys to try still IMHO.

I've heard VAC, ARC, various SETs (not Coincident) etc. I.m not saying these will sound the same, but I think they would impress most.

They are not soft, rounded, fat or have any unique characteristics like that that can sometimes be associated with some tube gear. Rather thehy sound more like what the best performing tube and SS gear I have heard sound like. Hard to find fault with teh sound IMHO. The only thing is that they do not go as loud as completely effortlessly as my 500 w/ch Bel Canto amps, but then a gain few amps do.

Just saying...
mikirob
955 posts
 
Why do people keep recommending speakers for Rebbi outside his purchase margins?
mikirob
955 posts
 
Rebbi,
In case you missed it there is a pair of AN-E for sale on Agon for $1,499.
rebbi OP
1,326 posts
 
Hey, Rob,
Thanks for the post.
I looked at those AN-E's and asked Brian at ANK about them. He confirmed that they are an old version of the "94 dB" model and he doesn't really recommend them with the Kit 1. The AN-E Kits he sells, by contrast, are all the "98 dB" version with the hemp cone drivers, but you can't touch those for less than $3600 with stands. It's a pity! I have actually corresponded with the seller of those speakers when I was trying to establish their "vintage." He doesn't know how old they are because he bought them second hand.

Another interesting used possibility is the pair of Tonian Labs TL-D1 Mk. III SE's on sale for $1500. Reviews of earlier models are very good. I corresponded with Tony at Tonian. It seems like those were one-off speakers made with a Fostex driver that is no longer available. He is now building the D1 with a NOS Philips driver that he says is much better, but it goes for $2500.

At this point, I am leaning toward only buying something that I can audition first, unless it's an AN speaker, which I think would be much more of a safe bet.
mikirob
955 posts
 
Rebbi,
Great info. Being familiar with AN speakers I have a huge soft spot in my heart for them. I did own Snell at one point which is where AN got the design and modified them, but you likely know that. At any rate, let's hope a pair of AN-E 98db version pops up soon at somewhere near your price point. The Agon has been slow and tough to sell as of late. I have my Primaluna Dialogue One up for sale for a reasonable $1,750 with about $300 worth of NOS tubes. Usually my stuff sells within 7 days. About 800 views. No sale. I'm already into relist. So, maybe an AN-E shows up one day at good price. Best, Rob
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