Tekton Double Impacts

Soundsrealaudio,
The Impacts were released just prior to the DI's and Eric informed me of identical sound quality, except in a slightly diminished quantity. I have owned the Impact's since last November and have described the performance in the Tekton Impact thread if you would like the pertinent information. 

Hey Guys,

After many hours of listening I have come to the conclusion that my favorite combo, on all types of music, of course through the DI's, is the LTA MIcro-ZOTL and the Triode Lab 2A3 SET amplifier.  As I have have shared before the Micro-ZOTL delivers the speed/dynamics and holographic imaging and the Triode Lab gives the mix the beautiful color/tonality and image palpability that a great SET based amp can offer.  I'm very impressed not only with the performance of the Triode Lab piece but its build quality and what they charge for it.  It will get a great review from me in the future.

I will be getting a pair of mono-block SET 300b amps in for review this coming week and then will be able to decide if I prefer a 2A3 or 300b based amplifier for my taste on the DI's.  I had never tried a 2A3 tube in any of my systems before and as stated above am quite smitten by what it does.  Historically I have always loved good 300b amplifiers, so I'm quite curious about what any differences might be on the DI's.

All this experimenting would never had been possible without the unique aspect that you can drive the DI's with virtually anything you want including "flea watt" amplifiers without losing ultimate DB levels and dynamics!   

Teajay,
I find it interesting that you prefer the 2A3 SET over the LTA Micro ZOTL sibling power amplifiers particularly the 40 watts version that impressed you so thoroughly during your review of it. However as you note,  good quality  SETs offer some unique and elusive musical attributes. I don’t believe you could go wrong with either a high quality 2A3 or 300b. It takes a superior speaker to allow this level of fine discrimination amongst very nuanced amplifiers.
Charles

Teajay,

It's very interesting to hear about the triode labs 2a3,they do make some very solid gear.I had There prototype 7591 based pp a few yrs back that was built all point to point with James outputs and choke with a very heavy duty pwr transformer.I have also owned one of there first 300b stereo designs.I kinda surprised in your position that you have never tried the 2a3.

I have had a couple diff. 2a3 based amps over time and I always found them to be kinda in the middle between the 45 and the 300b,
meaning they can have the midrange and inner glow like the 300b but with more extension on both ends and then also combine the clarity,punch and dynamics that the 45 has but with more pwr.

The 2a3 is just a wonderful tube in my opinion and my very favorite Dht with the right speaker and the DI is the one.I only have one tube amp right now it's the Yamamoto A09 which is a 300b,which I will have to try eventually with the DI's.

I definitely will be getting a MZ2 in the future and can't wait to try with all kinds of pairings.

Enjoy the music,

Kenny.

Hey Charles,

I have had many discussions with listeners regarding which gives most of the magic of David Berning's ZOTL circuit, the 40 watt amplifier or the Micro-ZOTL line-stage.  After trying the Micro-ZOTL with all kinds of  solid state and tube amplifiers it always brings it's virtues ( speed, a very special type of overall dynamic, great color, and a terrific sense of space/3D imaging) to such a level, that when it is removed the system sounds somewhat "dead/whimpy", loses color and sounds much more 2D overall.  Now don't get me wrong, I bought the 40-ZOTL and believe that it's a great amplifier, but my point is that much of the unique sonic qualities of Berning's design can be gotten with the preamp and then you can add any flavors to it with your amplifier.  

And as you said Charlies, to hear these nuances it takes a reference level speaker, plus the ability to be driven with very little watts to use many of the low watt/SET designs, without resorting to horn based speakers which are not my cup of sonic tea.