Tekton Double Impacts

Gentlemen,

Wanted to share that I'm into about nine hours of listening to a Triode Lab 2A3s SET amplifier I have in house for review for hometheaterreview.com.  Of course this amplifier is no were close to being fully burn in.  Yet, being driven by the Micro-ZOTL preamplifier it makes the DI's sing beautiful music.  The very inexpensive 2A3 based Opera amp is still a killer in its performance/price, however this amplifier is qualitatively better on every parameter.  The combo of the Micro-ZOTL and the Triode Lab keeps the dynamics/speed of the linestage and kicks up the color/timbres and adds more 3D imaging which I easily hear through the DI's.  I'm also impressed by the part/build quality of this companies piece of gear.

Teajay

Are you reviewing the Classic or FFX version? Both look nice but the FFX is quite a bit more expensive and probably what I’d want. I’m very happy with using just the MZ2 but after listening further I can see where a bit more texture and warmth might be nice. I have some Ken Rad and Tung Sol round plate 12SN7’s on order in hopes of obtaining a little more texture but the idea of a SET amp to add that meat on the bones you refer to is appealing. The Coincident Frankenstein 300B SET Monoblocks are on my short list and this Triode Lab 2A3 SET looks nice also. I appreciate you sharing your results and I’m in total agreement with your accessments regarding the DI’s and MZ2. The ZOTL 10 with the new power supply is very intriguing, especially with the special synergy it has with the MZ2 but from what you’re saying it sounds like a SET amp brings even more musical magic to the table.

Teajay,
I’m really enjoying and appreciate your listening impressions, I understand exactly what you’re referring to. As you’ve noted previously the ZOTL MZ 2 is excellent driving the Double Impacts and one could easily live with this match. Yet the SET amplifiers you’ve tried present that "meat on the bone" and improved tonal texture and color that makes the sound more palpable and realistic.

It takes an exceptionally good speaker to exploit this additional musical information and nuance. Example, the DI allows distinction to reveal the Triode Lab 2A3 is the superior SET compared to the Opera amp (no slouch by any means). Better quality transformers, parts and power supplies will do that.

This is why I would advise anyone interested in a SET to go for upgrade options when possible. In particular I’d not choose to save a few dollars by settling for the lesser output transformer, it’s role is too important. Same philosophy regarding the power supply.  The more stout/robust the better the amplifier and I believe this point is magnified with SET. 
Charles

Hi mac48925 and Charlies

The unit I'm reviewing is the one that still is up with a picture in tube amps for sale here on the GON.  I guess it is somewhat of an unique model because of the James transformers and how they setup the 6NS7 tube section.

Charlies, could not agree with you more regarding where to put your money regrading SET amps.

nicks25,
Well Pleased AV has decided to go with a different amplifier pairing for LA and will no longer have the MZ2, so we will unfortunately not be present at the show.

Regarding two pre outs/splitting the output, the output impedance of the MZ2's outputs is very low and shouldn't have a problem with two loads to drive. From the Stereophile review's measurements section: "The output impedance was 2 ohms across most of the audioband, as specified, increasing slightly to 2.35 ohms at 20kHz."

We are still waiting for a pair of Electrons for the listening room (the DIs would be a bit too big). I'm curious to hear the MZ2 power the speaker on its own, but I'm even more interested in hearing the ZOTL10 paired with it.