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

@david_ten 

I'm using an Alan Eaton 45 amp and a Primaluna Dialogue Premium. These are much less expensive amps, especially purchased used, but I love their sound. The 300B amps I tried definitely had more microdynamic detail and texture. They played a more vivid tone and did sound more "real." However, I felt the sound a touch dry and just not as engaging. The 45 and PL amps keep me glued to listening area. For some reason when using the 300B amps I had a hard time getting the sound to separate from the speakers compared to EL-34 based amps. The PL excels at imaging for me, and I love the versatility of being able to use so many tubes. EL-34's probably being my favorite but the other night listened to KT-150 in triode mode and it was gorgeous. Right now listening to Shuguang WE6CA7's (EL-34) with Radiotechnique NOS 12au7's and it's sounding great. It does gloss over some fine detail but the music is just so enjoyable through it. Same with the 45 amp. That amp just has some "bounce to the bass" that is just so enjoyable. Midrange texture just feels great. Again, not as detailed or crystal clear as the 300b amps (I tried Canary and Sophia Electric), but just fun to listen to. I feel some people would prefer the 300B amps and I can see why. The microdynamics were startling. Especially with intimate vocals recordings and string instruments. Part of my decision was economics as well. Promised my wife I'd sell some stuff so we can do some projects on the house, so I might still sell one of these amps and go with 1 for now, we'll see. I am also interested in modifying the PL and upgrading the caps to V-Cap ODAMs. I know some people don't love PL but I think its a quality amp with a lot of versatility.

kw6 The Nenuphar's have ten inch drivers.  And those drivers deliver a ton of top end air.  Have you read reviews at 6 Moons, Stereo Times and avshowrooms among others?  They might help overcome your concerns about a single wideband driver.  

David--I have spent most of the day listening to my Nens with and without the Townshend speaker platforms.  Here are my notes:

With platforms:
Greater sense of ambient space, definitely more soundstage depth and air.  
Highs a little rolled off and/or sweeter
greater presence

Without platforms
Better instrument location and definition
Bass tighter and less need of sub woofer (turned it down but it still added a lot)
Highs a little harder
Sounds more like hifi than the sense of "being there" with the platforms

Overall impression: Sounds more exciting with platforms, more accurate without

I can see how some would prefer the "without" list of attributes and some the "with" list.  It does seem that the platforms are additive or colored.  (Which surprises me because their technological seems to be based on being subtractive, reducing smearing and distortion.)  I prefer them but I can definitely see how others might prefer the cleaner more accurate sound without.  If I put a SET tube amp in front of the Nens, that might change.

 

As I mentioned upthread, my class D SPEC amp is now driving my Boenicke W8 speakers. It was now time to explore tube amplification (fronted by Vinnie Rossie DHT using Takatsuki 300B tubes).

Where to start? As I looked at listing on Audigon and Audio Mart my thought was to go with something that had solid resale value. Also an amp in the (for me) mid price range. I didn't want to do the upgrade two-step too many times.

Well, brothers, I'm here to tell you I've seen the light. A bright green pleasure machine. Yes, Shindo has captured my heart. The little Cortese F2A -- 10 watts and 15 pounds. Texture and liquidity. Plenty of bass. And, as one writer put it, it just sounds as if the band was better rehearsed.

Will I sell my SIT-2? Not now, but maybe down the line....

- Robert

@rwpollock,
Class D SPEC amplifier driving Boenicke W-8 and Shindo Cortese driving the Nenuphars. Which is your primary system? Surely they possess rather different sonic presentations. I’ve always come across comments of high praise for the F2a output tubed Shindo Cortese. The late Art Dudley loved this amplifier. 
Charles