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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
lancelock
1,100 posts
 
@evolvist - I tried the ZOTL40 today with and without the MZ2 and it was a pleasant experience. The ZOTL40 sounded pretty good going direct as well but not the case in my other system. Maybe the Modwright tube stage in my 205 is smoothing things out somewhat.

As with teejays experience the Micro ZOTL did sound a little better by itself even with my primo tubes but not by much. This contradicts my findings with my electrostats. In this set up the ZOTL40 and Micro ZOTL are inseparable and a match made in heaven. The ZOTL40 does not sound nearly as good without the MZ.

Now that the DI's are properly broken in I will put the AHB2 back in to hear the difference but being familiar with both amps I doubt the pairing will sound better than the beauty of the LTA tube amps.

Lance
evolvist
167 posts
 

@lancelock , yeah, if you could, check it out...though I wonder - It’s like the rep from Benchmark said - the AHB2 is only as good as the source you’re amplifying. I have no idea what sort of DAC your use, but I’m curious.

I’ve never been anti-tube for speaker listening, but I am for headphone listening, having never found a tube amp that didn’t render the audio a bit flubby. Again, that’s with cans, only. Myself, I’ve actually learned a lot about tube gear from reading this thread. But, I guess you’ve got to crawl before you can walk, so I had best audition the DI first.

@Corelli , thanks for making this thread happen.


Edit: Whoops, above in my long ass post, I meant to type "odd order harmonics" are not what's desirable in most SS amps
 

lancelock
1,100 posts
 
@evolvist - I'm using a Modwright Oppo UDP-205 with great results.

if you take a listen to the LTA MZ2 with head phones you might just change your mind about tubes and head phones.

Lance
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Hi Lancelock,
I find your impressions of various amplifier comparisons with and without the M2Z ZOTL particularly interesting. Your Benchmark amplifier has "vanishing " low distortion specifications. In my experience and understanding this is achieved via very generous use of NFB (negative feedback). This approach also results in a very low output impedance and conversely a high damping factor.

I’m curious how this type circuit will sound with and without the M2Z in the signal chain driving the Double Impacts and how sonically it differs from the LTA ZOTL 40. I look forward to your listening insights of these 2 very different amplifier topologies. I’m not sure if theZOTL 40 utilizes NFB and if so how much. Probably considerably less than the Benchmark given the distortion figures. I’m assuming that the ZOTL isn’t nearly as low. It would be very interesting if you had a zero NFB amplifier as a 3rd variable (SET or a First Watt). Yes,I know, easy for me to say 😊 Fun stuff.
Thanks,
Charles
david_ten
5,480 posts
 
@evolvist :  

The AHB2 is a phenomenal amp. I'm sure you will be very happy with it and the Linn KDS/3, especially since you are probably looking for a very 'clean and clear' presentation. Given this (I'm assuming), the Ulf mini is probably a better choice over the DIs.

Speaking of Decware, I have been keeping an eye on their product line-up...just haven't been able to make the jump to tubes yet.

Since you were comparing DACs/Pres and settled on the Linn, did you also consider the Bricasti M12?


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