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Tekton Double Impacts

Anybody out there heard these??

I have dedicated audio room 14.5x20.5x9 ft.  Currently have Marantz Reference CD/Intergrated paired to Magnepan 1.7's with REL T-7 subs.  For the vast majority of music I love this system.  The only nit pick is that it is lacking/limited in covering say below 35 hz or so.  For the first time actually buzzed the panel with an organ sacd. Bummer.  Thought of upgrading subs to rythmicks but then I will need to high pass the 1.7's.  Really don't want to deal with that approach.

Enter the Double Impacts.  Many interesting things here.  Would certainly have a different set of strengths here.  Dynamics, claimed bottom octave coverage in one package, suspect a good match to current electronics.

I've read all the threads here so we do not need to rehash that.  Just wondering if others out there have FIRST HAND experience with these or other Tekton speakers

Thanks.
corelli
lmswjm's avatar
lmswjm
62 posts
 
My 2 cents David fwiw: Transparency of a speaker will determine the appropriate quality of the other upstream components in a system. Sensitivity of a speaker will of course determine how much wattage is required to efficiently power them to greatest effect. Instinctively, I want to find that sweet spot if it exists. Obviously you don’t want to use insufficient power, but I wouldn’t want to enter the domain of overkill either. I’d rather invest in quality of watts than quantity. I believe system synergy relies on the interaction of these two components most dependently. Whereas, a high quality source will probably be a more universal solution to most systems.

I like the way Terry approaches system building by starting with the end points. That being a transparent, efficient pair of speakers and a high quality source. Then nailing down a preamp that has extreme amplification synergy with those speakers because of said attributes. Lastly, workout and invest in the number of, and type of quality watts required to hit the proverbial sweet spot in the pursuit of audio nirvana.

Bill M
sbayne's avatar
sbayne
493 posts
 
"It just occurred to me that our discussions on this thread are heavily weighted towards amplifier pairings with the Double Impacts, and to a lesser degree the preamplifier; and specifically optimal outcomes with respect to both component types. 
There has been some discussion of source components, but in terms of a weighted average very low coverage of the front end.
I find this very interesting and am curious as to why this may be the case. Thoughts?"

I've noticed that too and was actually drawn to this thread because up until recently it did NOT go off talking about other equipment. If you are discussing the sound quality of the DIs there are too many variables to account for except for the DI/amp interface and the room interface. Knowing that the DIs play well with flea watters, SET tube, P/P tube, solid state, Class D...and what size of room they are being used in is very important to me since I'm making a buying decision.  I think we all know a good preamp, turntable, cartridge, DAC, music server, cables (let's not go there, haha) etc can make a big difference on the overall musicality of a system but not sure how that helps me determine the sound quality of the DIs. For instance, inserting a quality preamp into the chain will help all speakers not just the DIs......my 2 cents. 
bullitt5094's avatar
bullitt5094
266 posts
 
@craigl59 Let me join your heresy club. I too utilize JRiver and DBPoweramp in a similar manner and have a similar signal path. The fact that there is nothing added to the recordings is what I enjoy. If there is "warmth" on the recording, I want it presented that way but not added. In fact I have an Odyssey Tube Preamp on order. I've conveyed to Klaus at Odyssey that I am not a tube sound fan but he maintains he wants me to try the Candela first and return it if I don't like it with the Kismet power amp. Just wanted you to know you aren't the only "digital" fan in the thread. But this is a long discussed preference and takes nothing away from others that love the sound from a 1 watt tube amp. It just shows the capabilities of the DIs to do many things extremely well.
lancelock
1,094 posts
 

My DI's are sounding better everyday with about 150 hours on them. I find these speakers to display some of the finest sound reproduction I have ever heard and most definitely nothing touches them at this price point. I have some nice maple speaker stands coming and I believe that will tighten up the bass some from previous experience.

I am using a new Modwright Oppo UPD-205. and i'm sure the modded output stage is partly responsible for this glorious sound I'm getting. I have some CD's and blu-rays but for the most part I'm streaming via Ethernet from a dedicated server upstairs using jriver and jremote app.

I'm still using only the LTA Micro ZOTL as my 1 watt amp with no preamp in between. I am waiting for Mark Schneider's next creation. I was at LTA recently and listened to a low watt prototype and was impressed.

In a couple of weeks I will bring my ZOTL40 downstairs to try out with the DI's. I have some exotic tubes including NOS Mullard EL34's and EL38's with adaptors. I will report more on this later.

I am not ready to suggest that the DI's best my Janszen zA2.1's and they of course cost 4x what the DI's cost. I worked long and hard to optimize them in a small dedicated room. They did not fill this basement room with sound as well as the DI's do although, so room dimensions matter.

kdude66
1,200 posts
 
sbayne,

You bring up some very valid points in your last post that I agree with.
What size room do you have,and If I read your posts correctly it sounds like you are contemplating the DI's for you.

I ask this because I will be looking for a replacement set of speakers for my 2nd system in a much smaller room,12x16x9.

There was somebody mentioning that they have their DI's in a room this size with good results but I haven't tried mine in the smaller room yet.

Best,
Kenny.
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