Tekton Double Impacts

Craig59, Jerry (10 Audio) called the Valvet V2 the best amp he ever heard and purchased the review unit, high praise. The 2170 is not a Class D amp, it is a direct digital topology like the Exogal Comet/Ion pairing and shouldn't be lumped into the Class D sonic category because it sounds glorious, as does the Comet/Ion.

Hey Guys,

The Valvet V2 uses the same approach as the First Watt SIT 2, one transistor per side SET design.  The First Watt SIT 2 uses VFET transistors that Nelson had built for him which are different devices then what are used to in Valvat V2.  But, it makes complete sense to me why the German amplifier could be a wonderful sounding piece.  I Emailed Jerry (10 Audio) to see if he had ever heard the XA-25, so he could compare the two, however he never got back to me.

I found the XA-25 to be the best sounding SS amplifier I have ever heard.  It also is much more powerful, both in watts/current then the German amplifier.  However, if you are looking for a SS SET design Nelson has just come out with the First Watt SIT 3 which still uses the SIT transistors with a different type of loading scheme which offers much more power, around 30 watts per channel I believe, and sells for 3K.

All of the above amplifiers would be beautiful partners with the DI's.  I found that the Ulf's worked with lower power SET amps both tube and SS. However, the XA-25 was the match made in sonic heaven, my hunch way this is so is because it offers much more watts/current that the 21 driver big brother to the DI's needs to really perform at its best

@craigl59   Great that you have been able to connect with @teajay   Hopefully Alfred will be able to help you as well.

The Valvet E2 is not a common amp and it is relatively new so I doubt you will be able to get direct owner feedback with it paired to the DIs. As you know, a leap of faith is probably in order. : )

I have not explored the Lyngdorf 2170 to the full extent that I would like to. At some point, if I can get a unit to demo, I'd love to. As for my amp adventures:

The SEs made me realize that investing more in my system was justifiable and would be rewarded (and it has in major ways), so I changed my budget for amplification.

I brought the Lyric Audio Ti140 Mk II (Push-Pull KT150) in for testing out whether I wanted to move to tubes (vs solid state as represented by my Pass separates at the time).  I chose to go with integrated options to get more value for what I was planning and applying the savings from one less power cord, interconnect, and isolation platform and a set of footers into upping the budget for the integrated.

The few tubed options I had in system repeated a pattern (for me) - terrific and hard to beat for vocals and acoustics, with glorious mid-range performance; but they fell short vs solid state options (again, for me ONLY) on low midrange to low bass frequency performance and in not offering a balanced, even and consistent 'spotlight' across the entire frequency range of music. 

I tried the following in my own system: a tubed integrated (Mastersound and Lyric), a solid state integrated (T+A), a hybrid integrated (Ypsilon); all vs my Pass Labs separates. Other integrated options were Vitus, Gryphon, and Grandinote, all which I was unable to audition as my trip to do so (to NYC/NJ) fell through. All of the products I had in system are great performers and I can see someone choosing one over the other for any number of reasons.

I ended up going forward with the T+A integrated which ships from Germany next week.

On another note, and a surprisingly good development for me, the SR signal cabling I am using has nudged system sound towards being more 'tubelike' than my Audience cabling (in this system configuration).

Thanks, guys. These kinds of responses show the thread working for everyone and I will benefit from your knowledge.
KLH007's response has me thinking about the 2170 again although I just got the new RME ADI-2 DAC for the summer place. It has been demoed with the DIs, and they sound incredibly clean and transparent together.
Will think for one week then order.
David_ten: great stuff on your amps and thanks.

Teajay,

I was also impressed with the First Watt J2 and Tekton DI's.

Since you are impressed with the DI's and the xa25 , have you by any chance also auditioned the 30.8? Or do you think they are basically the same or very close?

Thanks