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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
aricaudio's avatar
aricaudio
273 posts
 
@corelli - Indeed the transformers are Hammonds, and the output transformers are 30 watt SE units. I've compared them head to head with some others that cost twice as much (I won't name names), and there hasn't been any discernible differences I've found under lots of extended A/B testing. 

Also that slight bit of hum occurs at higher gain settings- with the amp's volume near max and the two cathode switches flipped up. This was my first 300B build, and as such I based the front end on the popular two stage 6SN7. The 6SN7 is a current master- but a voltage weakling. As such it needs the cathode bypass caps engaged to give the extra 3 db per stage (unless your preamp outputs close to 2 volts). In future builds, I would opt for a 6SL7 in the first stage with it's voltage strengths- to drive the 6SN7, with no cathode bypass caps. That would give plenty of gain and really push the noise floor down to nil. 

@mac48025 - If you ever choose to go that route, I'll cover the mods if you want to be without her for a week and ship her back. 

Best, Aric
david_ten
5,480 posts
 
My Tekton Design Double Impacts Special Edition (SE) were delivered yesterday evening. The build and finish is gorgeous. They are getting run in. More on the sound later.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Hi Aric,
I really appreciate your technical explanations and insight on this forum as they’re consistently educational. Your comments regarding the 6SN7/6SL7 tubes caught my interest. In my Frankenstein 300b SET the builder chose the 6EM7 as the input/driver tube. Apparently it’s a dual triode , One side is high current/low gain and the other half of this tube is low current/high gain. It seems there’re various ways to successfully drive the 300b.

Hello David,
Congratulations on acquiring the DI SE speakers and I look forward to your  listening impressions.
Charles
aricaudio's avatar
aricaudio
273 posts
 
Hi Charles, Thanks for the kind words and sharing the driver info on your 300B.. It appears the 6EM7 was used to drive vertical deflection circuits in CRT TV's and can even be used as a power tube in a 1.5-2 watt amplifier. Definitely a lot of similarities to a 1/2 6SL7 and 1/2 6SN7- the best of both worlds it would seem. Best wishes, Aric
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Hi Aric,
Roger Modjeski owner of Music Reference Audio builts/offers a 6EM7 amplifier in single ended and push pull versions. I’m really looking forward to hearing your 300b SET amplifier when Tom is ready to invite me over again.
He feels that it’s the best amplifier he’s owned to this point, I believe him. 300b implemented to a high standard is special as Tom has happily discovered.
  
BTW Aric the modification offer you made to Tom is both classy and kind IMHO.
Charles 
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