Tekton Double Impacts

Agreed. I think one of the issues here is the very high playback levels with a very high power amplifier.

ATI is a well regarded amp. @nitrobob  Did you listen at 'mere mortal' levels and what were your findings under those conditions?

Bill ( @grannyring ) is correct in pointing out the value of isolating the DIs, and in fact, any speaker.

Agreed  Charles.  I've  listened with a few tube watts to a couple hundred SS watts.  The DI's have no "preference"  for what drives them.  There has been a huge variation in upstream equipment posted on this thread and most everyone has agreed the DI's reproduce clearly what is being fed to them.  For me amp choice is dictated by what I want to listen to.  There are some things tube SE designs will do what other amps don't.  And there is some music where I crave the firm control SS offers.  No different than pairing wine to your dinner entree.

I am at a loss to say exactly what accounted for nitrobobs experience.  It certainly does not bother or offend me.  But I have to say what he heard I have not. I have never heard issues with a nasal quality, driver integration, or power handling for what it's worth.  Any of these issues would have compelled me to ship these back as well.

I can only surmise, as was mentioned, you have to look at system synergy.  Furthermore, room acoustics can't be ignored.  Lastly, and I think this is a big one, is that we all have differences in our hearing.  If we all compared our audiograms, our ears would all measure differently.  Sometimes dramatically.  Is it any wonder we have different preferences? (and there are more complex reasons for our innate preferences beyond simple audiograms--but I'll pass on that discussion for now.)

What is also of interest to me is @nitrobob 's comment about the Ascends having the clarity they do, according to him, at those SPLs.

Hey Everybody,

I "mindfully" thought if I was going to post any comments on Nitrobob's experience with the DI's, and finally decided to share some assumptions regarding his reaction to them.

With respect to him:

1) Anybody who listens at 110 dB levels, or at average 100dB levels, at less then ten feet away is either deaf to begin with or has damaged their hearing to a serious level, indeed.

2) To have the DI's just a foot off the front wall and then played at these insane volume levels it makes sense to me that they surly could sound less then musical and harsh/edgy, and screw-up big time the beautiful highs and mid-range that these speakers are known to deliver.

3) Because of my assumptions stated above, this might not be PC or thought of as being "respectful" , but his experience has no merit or credibility regarding the performance of the DI's in any realistic fashion at all. 

It's hard for me to believe that nobody had commented on how unhealthy it is to listen at these volume levels, regardless what his take is on the speakers.  He has the prefect right to listen to any volume he wants to regardless of the dangers.  However, the rest of us should make it clear the risks involved in doing so.