Tekton Double Impacts

Hey craig59,

As you know many amplifiers have XLR inputs, but really are not truly balanced designs.  The beauty of the XA-25 is it's use of only two transistors per side and the tremendous power supple which drops tons of current when needed.  So, I find no downside at all, and historically have never run XLR cables in my system even when I was using the XA-60.8's which are a true balanced circuit design.  Less is really more can be heard in a great SET design and in Nelson's new simpler circuit.  

Hi Terry,
I haven’t read your review of the Pass Labs XA 25 but will do so. If this is a simpler circuit design with fewer part count. I could certainly believe it sonically exceeds other Nelson Pass efforts. I can understand his decision to go with minimalist single ended rather than balance circuit. Only 2 transistors per channel? He does seem to have much genuine passion for these type of amplifiers.

For all the talk concerning balanced audio components I can’t honestly say that they sound superior to non balanced components. I can say that some of the very finest sounding systems I’ve heard were based upon simpler single ended be they tube or solid state. Based on Nelson Pass writings and DIY contributions I get the sense he leans in this direction for maximum purity of sound. Just my hunch. Balanced components do however have a large segment of happy advocates no doubt. .
Charles

Reminder modifications doesn’t always work, I prefer to stick with the way Erik design my tekton impact monitors. Be extra careful before jumping into it.He knows his speaker design why we end up buying them, and enjoying them.

Upgrading the crossover with the same spec values, but only using carefully chosen, better quality parts will improve the sound. By the way, parts that are also tighter tolerance spec’d and layed out to eliminate inductor crosstalk. Internal wire is also plays an important SQ role.  I know first hand As I did it. Two folks heard the SE speakers in Chicago and came to my home two weeks later to listen to my upgraded DIs. Both were speechless just kept looking at each other saying one word over and over....wow! Both shared these were better sounding. Perhaps my Lyngdorf 2170 played a role even though is costs far less than the gear running the SEs in Chicago.

I share because some here are interested in these facts. In the spirit of what can be and options....I shared. I won’t share anymore technical details as stated earlier, however these speakers are perfect candidates for the stars in terms of SQ. ( yes they are to the moon in SQ stock). Eric’s design paired with a skilled and careful upgrade plan both can live wonderfully together. They are not at odds, but rather additive. Not all will care or want to deal with this sort of thing. Some will.

These are perfect candidates because of their lower price point and positive response to top tier parts and layout. No different than affordable amps that are popular for DIY upgrades with all kinds of info here on the net.

The topic at hand extends beyond a particular set of speakers. All gear is made to hit a price point so the builder and employees can make money. This is a must and we all should understand it. Your amps, dacs, speakers, etc... can all be improved with smart and well planned upgrades in parts. Most pieces sitting in our rooms are ripe for nice SQ improvements because builders are not going to put in $300 Duelund capacitors and $35 resistors. This is not voodoo stuff folks.

@grannyring Excellent and enlightening points Bill! Your participation here, knowledge and experience are of great value to people like me who are learning about sound, components and systems. Invaluable actually! Please DO keep posting specs as you learn them as we ALL benefit from this. Frankly, most will not do these types of upgrades BUT it is the knowledge that you pass along that allows us to look at components and determine what it is that makes them sound the way they do. SPECS MATTER!!! Bravo Bill!!