Like David, I find that the SE's are even more revealing of whatever is upstream of them than the DI's.......and yes, that's saying something. They also take much longer to break in than DI's, but it's a wait well worth it.
Ive settled on the Aric Audio amp and preamp......his 12SN7 Linestage and custom 300B SET. Both units were built using his new upgraded brushed aluminum chassis and Audyn True Copper caps. They look great and sound even better. The linestage is very transparent with a butter smooth naturalness about it. The 300B is emotes power, dynamics and realism. The overall presentation with both pieces with the SE's is one of clarity and detail, proper tone and pace, speed, refinement and musicality. The soundstage doesn't just extend from wall to wall but encompasses the listener. That wall of sound I love so much about the DI's extends even further around me, it's eerie at times hearing things behind you. Bass is deep, control and abundant....which can really thump you in the chest when needed. Mids are silky smooth, so real and natural that you'd swear the performer was in the room with you. Highs are airier than ive heard with added textures than I'm used too. You not only distinctly hear the differences in metal instruments there's an added dimension making them sound fantastically real.... i.e. I swear you'd be able to tell if cymbals or triangles were made of different metals.
As as with the DI's there are many component options that will work well with the SE's to provide the sound you're looking for. I'm now convinced I need a second amp to compliment my 300B......maybe a bada$$ powerful push pull or SS amp as a change of pace for times when I want the added grip upon the drivers and headroom these amps provide. The 300B is sublime for the 90-95% of the music I enjoy but no one amp that I've heard can provide everything I desire for all types of music.
Ive been asked are the SE's really worth the extra $3500? Actually, it's only $2200 more if you get the upgraded DI's in the same automotive paint that comes standard with the SE's. Either way my answer would be.......hell yes! That's not implying the DI's are less worthy, they are a very formidable speaker that I'd have been very happy with for a very long time. The SE's just take what the DI's provide taken up a notch or two. As much as I don't look forward to selling my DI's ( Ive grown quite attached to them!) I'm very happy that I took the plunge with the SE's.
Ive settled on the Aric Audio amp and preamp......his 12SN7 Linestage and custom 300B SET. Both units were built using his new upgraded brushed aluminum chassis and Audyn True Copper caps. They look great and sound even better. The linestage is very transparent with a butter smooth naturalness about it. The 300B is emotes power, dynamics and realism. The overall presentation with both pieces with the SE's is one of clarity and detail, proper tone and pace, speed, refinement and musicality. The soundstage doesn't just extend from wall to wall but encompasses the listener. That wall of sound I love so much about the DI's extends even further around me, it's eerie at times hearing things behind you. Bass is deep, control and abundant....which can really thump you in the chest when needed. Mids are silky smooth, so real and natural that you'd swear the performer was in the room with you. Highs are airier than ive heard with added textures than I'm used too. You not only distinctly hear the differences in metal instruments there's an added dimension making them sound fantastically real.... i.e. I swear you'd be able to tell if cymbals or triangles were made of different metals.
As as with the DI's there are many component options that will work well with the SE's to provide the sound you're looking for. I'm now convinced I need a second amp to compliment my 300B......maybe a bada$$ powerful push pull or SS amp as a change of pace for times when I want the added grip upon the drivers and headroom these amps provide. The 300B is sublime for the 90-95% of the music I enjoy but no one amp that I've heard can provide everything I desire for all types of music.
Ive been asked are the SE's really worth the extra $3500? Actually, it's only $2200 more if you get the upgraded DI's in the same automotive paint that comes standard with the SE's. Either way my answer would be.......hell yes! That's not implying the DI's are less worthy, they are a very formidable speaker that I'd have been very happy with for a very long time. The SE's just take what the DI's provide taken up a notch or two. As much as I don't look forward to selling my DI's ( Ive grown quite attached to them!) I'm very happy that I took the plunge with the SE's.