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

Cycling back from the 'Damping Factor' thread.

Duke's ( @audiokinesis ) answers and findings are likely relevant to what member owners of the Nenuphar are reporting on.

Copied here:

First a bit of background: I design speakers with fairly high and unusually smooth impedance curves so that they have very similar response with both amplifier types across most of the spectrum, and then include user-adjustable bass tuning to adapt to the effects of amplifier damping factor into the bass region impedance peaks. So frequency response differences are minimal, and generally relegated to the region south of 100 Hz, where there can be a "free lunch" to the tune of an extra 1/4 to 1/3 octave extension with a low-damping-factor amp.

The following is my opinion; I can’t "prove" any of this. Consider these to be generalizations; I’m not a writer of audio prose; and [disclaimer] I'm an Atma-Sphere dealer:

With low-damping-factor tube amps, I hear more of a sense of ease and liveliness and immersion. I’m hearing more stuff going on, it’s like the voices and instruments have more texture. Music is more engaging at lower sound pressure levels, which I think is related to the low-level details not needing as much SPL in order to be audible. At high sound pressure levels the difference is arguably even more noticeable, as there is an absence of the edginess which often starts to set in as the SPL goes up. I’m hearing more of a difference in soundscape and ambience from one recording to the next, with more of a sense of being "transported into" the recording, especially when it’s a really good one. There is a powerful emotional experience (some might call it spiritual) which some music can convey, but it calls for intensity and density and freedom from distractions. The least expensive amplification I have found which can do this is low-damping-factor tubes... specifically, the Atma-Sphere S-30 and M-60 [dealer disclaimer reminder].

For those using Bakoon amps, here is member @jtgofish 's response to Duke's above copied post:

All that is what I hear with Bakoon amplifiers.Which are class A/B but which are reputed to be zero negative feedback/high output impedance/ current drive/probably low damping factor amplifiers.In simple terms they simply sound incredibly clear and pure.Which I have really only heard elsewhere from expensive SET amps like the Kondo Ongaku.

JT, thank you.

Hi David,
Thanks for providing the 2 posts. Duke hit the nail directly on the head. When I switched from a very good push pull 100 watt tube amplifier to an 8 watt SET nearly 11 years ago this was my experience. Just as Duke describes, more musical nuance and inner detail revealed. Increased sense of performer presence. Simply more realism and definitely increased emotional connection/engagement with listening to music. Bottom line, more pure and natural sound quality.

I can now understand how the Bakoon amplifier generates  similar results to a good SET amplifier (Or in Duke’s case an Atma-Sphere amplifier). Zero NFB and a higher output impedance certainly suggests that the damping factor (DF) would be relatively low. This would make it quite compatible with the Nenuphar. Makes sense to me.
Charles

Nice to hear positive comments about the Bakoon from others. Thanks for posting David.

Bakoon writes:
"The patent-pending JET Bias circuit has brought the SATRI circuit to a whole new level in terms of electrical performance and sound quality. Our Circuit is now reborn and renamed as the JET SATRI circuit, an ultrafast, wide bandwidth, full discrete design with zero negative feedback. It is also our first circuit that doesn't even use output emitter resistors, resulting in lower output impedance than ever before, with direct, ultra fast response to the loudspeakers."

So the 13R has "lower output impedance than ever before" which means higher damping than before. It makes one wonder what their older (and $3K more expensive) 41 amplifier would sound like with the Nenuphars.

- Robert