Tekton Double Impacts

If I could insert a bit here about clean power. Generally the cleanest power you’ll get is by using batteries. I’ve installed a couple of small standalone systems for a friend of mine who lives off the grid, and it’s a basic solar panel battery charging system. Where he can, he uses 12 or 24 volt devices so that the system runs directly from the batteries. However when 110-120 VAC is required he uses a very high end power inverter. The power inverter’s output is not super clean however, and an isolation transformer and then line conditioner is used to flatten out the peaks and obtain a true AC RMS voltage. I would not recommend a generator for your sensitive electronics unless a good line conditioner is protecting them from it. Generators provide very poorly regulated dirty AC power by nature which has lots of spikes and dips directly related to the load being put on the generator (and the motor will surge and race with a varying load). These spikes are very damaging for SMPS units such as those in flat screen TV’s and many DAC’s, or digital audio equipment. For tube gear, it can cause issues as well. If you use a generator, make sure you use some really good AC line filtering between it and your electronics. I have a Generac 5,000 watt continuous generator and when there’s a power loss I disconnect my PC and TV’s from it as well as my audio gear. I’ve repaired many TV’s for people who’ve lost them due to using a generator either in an RV, or during a power outage. Those power supplies receive a spike and usually don’t make it. Some devices can survive several such spikes, but just a caution that it does have the potential to damage electronics if/when run directly from a generator. Best, Aric

Tom, I think you'll really like "Do it again" and "Gold Prisms" off Inevitable Western and "Beauty has it hard" and "Dirty Blonde" from the Joshua Redman album. I also enjoy the Made Possible and Never Stop albums. In the same vein, I really like Brad Mehldau Trio's "Ode" album.

On the subject of kids, currently I've got the DI's in a dedicated listening room and will make it even more so dedicated with GIK panels and traps. As I think back to my childhood, dad always had the music playing in the main kitchen/family room area, constantly exposing us to the gift of music. I would like to do the same but acoustically it is a disaster area, many windows that really shouldn't be covered up for asthetic and sun lighting reasons.My 7 year old will have to take a trip up stairs if he wants to listen. Quality wins out over quantity this time. I still hike my 4 month old upstairs for some low level classical or jazz.

On a separate topic, has anyone integrate a sub(s) succesfully with the DI's? Looking for that 20-40hz room pressurization and punch that only a sub does right. My Live Dirac room correction should make this easier. Dual subs L/R seem necessary to integrate more seemless with the seperate L/R DI's. I've heard a single sub works well for below 40hz service as a budget entry point.

Aric, thanks for the heads up on generator use!  I will say when I used this it was the only thing powered by the generator and it was heavily filtered by a very effective spike suppressor (SurgeX unit).  In any event, based on your expert advice, I wouldn't dare to use it again even if it did sound good!  Maybe we are headed towards batteries!

brotw,  I suspect after the New Year I will bring in a pair of Hsu ULS subs.  These are sealed systems that use a 15" driver.  The finish looks to match the basic satin black on my DI's.  They appear to very effectively cover the lowest octave of music.  As I've said, I just don't get that "pressure lock" in my room with my speaker placement (DI's are out 1/3rd into the room from front wall.  When music contains deep fundamentals, I'll be the first to admit I find that kind of power captivating.  Just looking to reproduce what I've heard live.  Anyone been to St. Paul's Cathedral in London?  Awesome place!

No problem, and you were probably fine with the line conditioner, I just wanted to point it out as a caution for those who were interested to that end. 

I also agree wholeheartedly on the "pressure lock" a solid subwoofer can put on the lowest fundamentals of the bass. I came from being a bass player for most of my life and am very particular to that low end being produced accurately and with aplomb!