Cube Audio Nenuphar Single Driver Speaker (10 inch) TQWT Enclosure

I’m curious to know how the Schitt Aegir pairs with Nenuphar. On paper it seems an undesirable match given its low output impedance and very low THD figures which suggest generous use of NFB and very likely high damping factor (DF). Cube Audio intentionally designed the Nenuphar driver to be compatible with amplifiers the opposite of this. 6 Moons reviewer Srajan Ebaen confirmed this with his  multiple amplifier comparison driving the Nenuphar.  The higher the output impedance the better the sound/match. The ’highly controlled (very powerful magnet/motor assembly) driver needs very little DF to function at its optimal performance.

However the proof is in the ’listening’ and there are always exceptions to measurement predicted outcomes. khragon’s listening impressions will be insightful and I look forward to reading them.

Joining the Nenuphar club soon... going to pair them with either PS Audio BHK 250 or Schiit Aegir Monoblocks... hoping one of these will work well with the Cube

The BHK 250 has a Damping Factor of >150 (Stereo) >350 (Mono)

The Schiit Aegir has a Damping Factor of >100

Both figures are from the respective manufacturer's product specifications.

Here is what Dawid Grzyb of HiFi Knights states in his review of the Nenuphar (following 6Moons reviewer Srajan Ebaen's lead):

"However, Srajan’s own take on this particular model mapped its short albeit specific list of demands I could work with. Instead of miraculously synergistic plots of unfathomable nature, it involved today’s simple mechanical fondness towards amps of high output impedance, which translates to low damping factor its F10 Neo drivers simply benefit from, that’s the key secret. Zero feedback amp design was additional plus. The man’s investigation led to First Watt SIT-1 as his top pick for Nenuphar, the same manufacturer’s SIT-3, F5 and F7 machines were next in line, then there was Pass Labs XA-30.8, Kinki Studio EX-M1 and LinnenberG Liszt monos were found as the least suitable match. All listed hardware leaves us with respective DF values of 2, 30, 80, 100, 150, 2000 and 500."

Moving to his own amps, Dawid states:

"I had four amps at my place to tinker with; Bakoon AMP-13R, Kinki Studio EX-M1, FirstWatt F7 and Trilogy 925. The Bakoon and Kinki’s integrated were off the table due to their output impedance far too high, Nelson Pass’ F7 power amp wasn’t ideal but feasible, but the best companion for today’s was my 135wpc 925 integrated. Zero feedback design? Check. High output impedance? Check, 0.5 to be exact, which leads to not quite perfect but still respectable DF value of 16. If this wasn’t the golden ticket, it must’ve been silver at least."

Dawid also enjoyed this combination: "Once the Nenuphar’s performance with my Trilogy 925 was mapped, it was time to move to the two-piece set in form of First Watt F7 fronted by Thöress DFP line stage."

Bottom line: Zero negative feedback and damping factors (preferably under 100; the closer to 0, generally the better) are noted by both reviewers.

@charles1dad  is correct in pointing out these areas in the previous post. 

Full HiFi Knights review here: 

http://hifiknights.com/reviews/speakers/cube-audio-nenuphar/

Thanks, yup I realized non of my amps maybe the "best" match, but will report back on if I’m lucky :)

The suck thing is I sold my SIT3, preferring the BHK250 over it for my Klipsch Cornwall III.  So hoping my preferences will win at the end of the day

David both reviewers basically just confirm what the Cube Audio owner/designer so openly shares with everyone willing to listen to him. That extraordinary driver he painstakingly developed simply doesn’t need a NFB amplifier with gratuitous DF levels (low output impedance) to control it as many other speakers do benefit from. Frankly I am surprised that the PS Audio BHK amplifier has such a high DF (>350) that’s a lot of NFB being utilized in that circuit design.

Nevertheless wouldn’t it be something if both of khragon’s amplifiers sound terrific driving the Nenuphar? This speaker fascinates me. David I can easily understand why it sounds superb with your 2A3 mono blocks or the LTA Ultralinear amplifier mentioned earlier above.
Charles

The BHK 250 has >150 DF, where as the mono block BHK 300 is >350.