Tekton Design's new THE PERFECT SET equals "goosebumps time"

jayctoy that's great .Teajay seems like an upstanding fella and you got to confirm that he is hearing like you would hear.So..no misdirection goin on or hidden agendas.Nice to know.

@mac48025 ---   that may depend on how many times you've received forgiveness :)

For the time being, I will just have to live vicariously through several of you guys who have been able to take the leap. I do not think I can part with my Encores, which are the best speakers I've ever owned. But I sure would love the hear those SETs and build another, different kind of system around them.

Please keep us posted.

Waltersalas,
Its easier to ask for forgiveness than permission 😃

While I love my SE’s with my 300B SET I just have to try the Perfect SET 15 with it. Just have to figure out which color. BMW Phoenix Yellow would stand out!

Thanks a LOT, guys. Now I am trying to figure out a way to persuade my spouse to understand why I need a second system with the Perfect SET speakers and the Triode Labs 2A3 amp. As friends go, you guys are very expensive. :)

@jetter 
+1
Does the ax grinding ever stop with these whineys?  My DIs just kinda worked when I wired em up.
I emailed Karma and Eric and said thank you.  End of story.

Baranyi + 1 agree...👍, 

I was very fortunate to visit my good friend Teajay today and finally heard the Perfect SET with both the Threshold and the Triode Labs 2A3 amplifier. We started with the Threshold and the music was very good. The first thing I noticed was the Perfect SET  was not a small speaker at all and could make big sounds at all frequencies. I liked the system with Threshold and thought the system sounded pretty good using a solid state amp.
I have always liked the sound of tubes better because they sound more natural to my ears. Next came the Triode Lab 2A3 amplifier and I was literally shocked how good the 2A3 sounded with this speaker. I heard this amp on the Double Impact and it was terrific. The music was a bit sweeter and there was more meat on the bones as Teajay likes to say. I could have listened to the system like this all day. I connected with all the different types of music that Teajay played. In fact, I stayed too long and almost missed picking up my daughter! Everything just sounded a bit more natural with tubes. What I told Teajay is that you could feel the blood pumping through the musicians! The 2A3 amp played louder on this speaker than I would ever listen. It also had tremendous bass and treble.

Using this speaker with a flea powered amplifier is amazing!  The speakers disappeared and sounded lovely. With the piano black finish this speaker is about $2,000. It looks great and is a ridiculous bargain for the money! It is so good that with a 2A3 amp you never need ANYTHING better! Teajay was right on the money with this one. I have never owned Teckton speakers because I use the amazing Beveridge model 2 Electrostats speakers with direct drive amps from the late 70’s. The Beveridges are one of the best speakers ever made but If I were to start over these speakers with the Triode Lab 2A3 amps would be on my short list. Heck I liked them even better than Teajay’s big system! The combo is that good. It is amazing how much sound you can get for little money! They are as good in my opinion as any Teckton I have heard. Enjoy!

Mac going to Teajay is really enjoyable, I will stop by, If I were you , nice musical sounding systems, Teajay systems got me retune my systems, Teajay is a very neutral  host, He accept any opinion on his system, Most of all He is extremely very very nice guy....You will be surprise how musical and intimate the PS are...If you like classical , ask Him to play the CD he played on his Ulf when I was there...

Hey mac48025,

You know you will go past me on your way to Axpona next month.  If you want to come visit you are more then welcome.  Just let me know.

I was very intrigued by the Perfect SET’s for my 300B SET but I’m even more intrigued by the PS 15 now. 

Thanks for the review and opening up your home for others to hear your systems teajay. I’m planning on attending Axpona in April and I hope to be able to meet you while there. 

PS 15 is up on website

10 to 12 weeks wait for the high gloss PS speakers...

Axememan , at least we are able to prove, the description of Teajay are very accurate, and precise .Driving on the snow and strong wind for more than an hr going to hear the SET and meeting a very nice person like Teajay, all worth it.by the way I called Tekton 10 to 12 wait for the high gloss SET finish...

" Nice to see this thread has solidified in a more civil direction. Informative and educational."  that did not last long

jhajeski "What professional reviewer even talks like this?   Based on "Eric's" "breakthrough" technology?? Cmon..."
They are one's who think, reason, and act on a higher plane, sphere, and level than those like yourself who are profoundly limited, restricted, and confined by outdated notions of performance, engineering, and design, @jhajeski.

Glassblower, I believe you, I miss them , amazing speakers...

FYI, for those of you into Linear Tube Audio amplification: the microZOTL MZ3 is now available.

I have a pair of Perfect SET speakers, serial #8.  I went back and forth with Eric in email about which speakers to get with my amp..   and recommended these.  I did the usual search online for reviews, but couldn't find any.  I just decided to take a chance....

They took a bit to break in, but WOW.   I'm not mr. audiophile, just know that it sounds right to me.   

I'm just a happy customer. 

Nice to see this thread has solidified in a more civil direction.  Informative and educational.  

I suspect the PS speakers are not dissimilar to other Tekton speakers--revealing of what is upstream.  Which means they are capable of showing the merits of both tubed and SS gear.  Very cool.  You could pair these with Marantz budget gear and have a KILLER value, and also go in the other direction of high end tubed amplification and be rewarded yet again.

Wonder what David will end up with.

I forgot to mention that I have finally tried the LTA Micro-ZOTL  as a integrated amplifier (around 1 watt) on the Perfect Set and it sounded terrific.  Using a 6SN7 as a power tube in the ZOTL circuit has its own virtues such as tonal purity, see through transparency, and lighting quick speed that you hear clearly through the Perfect Set speaker.  For my personal taste I still prefer the LTA Micro-ZOTL as a preamplifier driving the Triode Lab 2A3 amplifier because I get more "meat on the bones" imaging and the overall intensity of timbres/colors goes up a bit.  Even with 1 watt I had no difficulties with volume levels/attenuation or roll off of the bottom end at all.

Hey roadwarrior75,

Eric designed this speaker for lovers of SET amplifiers. As I said in different posts on this thread, the Prefect Set sounds wonderful with high current/wattage solid state amplifiers.  I just happened to have my Threshold S/350e in the system driving the Perfect Set speakers when my guests came over to hear them.  Bon and Mark agreed with my take on them as being terrific performers.

However, I have spent hours listening to them being driven with the Triode Lab 2A3 SET amplifier and find them equally superlative and wonderful to listen to on all types of music.  There is no difficulties with volume levels, overall dynamics, and bass extension/control when using this 3.5 watt amplifier at all.  On my Ulf's when I tried tube amplifiers they did alright on them, but this much bigger speaker that dips below 4 ohms loves high current solid state amplifiers to reach their true potential. 

So, out of all the Tekton speakers the Perfect Set "sings" with SET 'flea watt" amplifiers beautifully and also can be driven with high power solid state amplifiers wonderfully.  It just happened when Bon and Mark came over I had the 350e in the system instead of the 2A3 SET amplifier.

Thank you Bon, Mark, and David for your kind words towards me.  You are always welcome to come visit, you guys are great guests, indeed! 

I'd like to recognize and commend @teajay  for opening up his home and system to @jayctoy  and @1markr     

TJ did the same for me and it was a truly wonderful experience, highlighted of course by meeting TJ in person and getting to know him better... as well as having the opportunity to listen to his systems (as they were six months ago). 

I also want thank Bon and Mark for their contributions after listening to both of TJ's systems. Your posts have been extremely informative, insightful and helpful. Thank you!

Roadwarrior75 you can try your Threshold with the SET if you decide to order, the combo at Teajay is well match, the SET are happy...

The Tektons loves good ss amp, Iam using modified SS  Plinius SA 100...My Viva tube is 22 w it does sound good on my impact monitors, but can’t do the dynamics and the bass impact Plinius does.....When I order the SET I will be using my concerto 40 w art audio...this is probably enough power for them...

@jayctoy    @1markr 

thanks again for the feedback

sounds like the SET  works best with more powerful SS amps?

these might not  be suited for "flea watt" amps, is what i'm gathering?  

Thanks 

@jetter

+1... @jayctoy

Absolutely agree the XA25 will be great with the Perfect SET! Just put a wonderful tube pre in front of it and < mike drop >!! :)

Jetter I agree, it’s proven the xa 25 is perfect match for the impact monitor, The SET would probably shine on the XA 25...

It would be interesting to hear how the PS will sound with the Pass xa25, seems like they would be perfect together.

@roadwarrior75 

We did not at Teajay's house.  As Bon mentioned, they were powered by Threshold amps.  Both systems had tubed preamps (both LTA) though, and in concert with the SS amps, the matching was ideal on both systems.

I've heard our Impact Monitors with tube amps, and I heard the Ulfs wth tubes amps, and my feeling is that the Tektons sound their best with SS amps; you will not get the best from them with 1wpc, in my opinion of course. @teajay can better articulate his experience with low power tube amps and the Tektons.

We listen to Threshold amp only, on ss the PS shines..Iam not sure how will they sound on your LTA 1 watt,.You can’t go wrong with those PS , they are  rediculously bargain...On glossy finish they look very nice.. 

@jayctoy    @1markr 


thank you for the feedback.

did you guys listen with both tube gear and SS  and your thoughts?

was looking at adding a second system and thought about the SET speaker. since i own the LTA MZ2S (1 watt)   it would be a wonderful combo?

Thanks 

@teajay  Thanks for your gracious hospitality, and allowing Bon @jayctoy and me into your house to listen to your systems!  We certainly enjoyed it, and the listening session was not only enjoyable, but also educational.  Oh, and you have a beautiful house too!

My biggest takeaway was that the Perfect SETS and the Ulfs are very different sounding speakers, and ultimately, which one you prefer will depend on the music you mostly listen to and your sonic preferences. For me, the PS hit all my buttons. I preferred their more immediate (note that I would not consider them "in your face") and intimate presentation, which is not all that different from my Tekton monitors.   With the ULFs, I have never heard the sense of soundstage scale as they portrayed, and the  dynamics were.... simply stunning; you easily heard the boundaries of the hall / studio / room, etc., and you easily felt the transient response of drums and other percussion in a real, and unexaggerated way.  Orchestral music flowed out with ease, as did Holly Cole.  

Bottom line for me, I preferred the Perfect SET for it's Row 1-5 presentation over the Ulfs mid-hall presentation, but that's only me and my preferences, since I don't listen to massively complex music like orchestral fare.  

What's even crazier, is the disparity between the costs of the two speakers.... that big gap makes no sense to me, but that makes the Perfect SET a screaming bargain!

Going back to the theme of this thread.... "goosebump time"?? Oh yeah!

Thanks again @teajay !

 There is something on the PS that draws you to the music automatically, the palpabilty of the PS will draw you the music, and they are very fast...We  play Bob Dylan, Blowin in the Wind , You thought he is the room, His guitar sound right with those PS...The speakers looks good too in glossy black finish....

@teajay

thanks for the info...

was looking to add  the  SET speakers  for a second system,they sound like a great match with my Threshold S/350e amp!

will the Coda #8 blow away my Threshold. enjoyed your review on the Coda #8 

Cheers 

First of all Teajay thank you for inviting us, opening the door so wide for us, We enjoyed both of your systems, The first thing I did when I got home , I read yourPS  thread again, the way you describe the SET is very very accurate, Goosebump time is precise too, When we play M.A recording Goldberg variation in piano, my jaw drop, I have never heard the Don Bennett cd sleeping giant as good as that it’s so live , the music is so beautiful...those PS are musically intimate, Mark fell in love with the PS...Your Ulf blew me away on every music we play, on big scale orchestra they are effortless and musically powerful, Going back to PS for $1800 they are bargain.its shocks me..

Hey roadwarrior75,

Yes, I have used the Coda #8 on these speakers.  Love the amplifier and it sounds great with the PS speaker.  As I have shared before, even though Eric designed this speaker as a prefect match with SET "flea watt" amplifiers, they sound superlative with very high current/wattage amps like the Coda/Threshold/Bricasti/Pass Labs, which are all great sounding amplifiers.

@teajay 

have you tried the Coda #8 amp and are you still getting goosebumps or do you prefer a tube presentation?

asked a few questions on Coda #8  thread and  no response?

Thanks  

Had a wonderful time today when two gentleman, Bon and Mark, came over to hear the Perfect Set speaker.  They brought their own musical selections to get a take on this speaker.  Both are seasoned listeners with excellent "ears" and great knowledge about the hobby.

They were, to put it mildly, enthralled and delighted with what they heard coming out of the PS pair.  They were not shocked, because they already know what a great bargain Tekton Speakers are regarding price vs performance ratio, but found it amazing that this kind of performance was coming out of a $1,800.00 pair of speakers!

Bon, shared that when he has a chance in the next couple of days that he will post his experience with you guys.  Hopefully, Mark might be inclined to also share his take on the speaker.

Hello d2girls,
Just browsing this thread.  
Reading your post regarding Moving Pictures made me think that I had not listened to that album straight thru since the 80s.
Put her on at high SPL last night.  Ears still ringing this morning. Good stuff. You just forget how great a band Rush is.
Did not play with PS speakers (I have DIs) so no help there. 
Thank you for that suggestion, as indirectly provided.

Txs teajay

Hello facten and d2girls,

To answer your questions:
1) My favorite 2A3 tube is the JJ 2A3-40, which you can purchase for around $240.00 a pair.  I have a large collection of NOS 2A3 tubes, they all sound very good, however the current JJ's sound the best in my system.  

2) When Mike Kay of Audio Archon came over to get his take on the PS speaker he brought that Rush album and played it at high SPL levels, he thought that the system sounded superlative playing this music.

I got a playback related question specific to owners of these speakers in your system. How does Rush's Moving Pictures album sound on these, at high SPL in your system?

teajay,
I apologize if you have stated this elsewhere and I have missed it, but what brand 2A3 tubes due you use in your amp? Txs

Hello estuardo4 and dgny,

To answer your questions:

1) I have not yet tried the LTA Micro-ZOTL as an integrated amplifier yet, but when I do I'll let you know what I hear.  My hunch is it will sound pretty special.
2) Both speakers play at the same dB levels at the same setting on the volume control.
3) For the last four days I have been listening to the PS being driven by the brand new Bricasti Design model M15 amplifier that's in for review.  First, the Bricasti Design is one of the best sounding SS amplifiers I have ever had in my house.  Secondly, it seems absurd to be using a 12K amplifier to drive either of these speakers, but the speakers are so good you completely hear what is driving them upstream.

 teajay,
how does the sensitivity compare to the nsmt 50, Does the nsmt play louder at the same volume settings on your amp(s)?

thanks.

@teajay Any new discoveries on the Perfect SET? Have you used other new amp with them? 

Have you used the speakers connected directly to the MicroZOTL preamp, like you did with the Double Impacts?

Thank you for your response 

+1 corelli

@corelli I agree totally buddy!

@ks2  In response to your comment, I would suggest that you can be very comfortable with the Tekton line.  I suspect the newer Perfect SET is another excellent speaker and a huge value.  The VAST majority of Tekton owners are very very happy owners.  It's just that some have focused on rearticulating a very small number on negative posts over and over and over.  This skews ones perception.  As teajay points out, some very high end brands all have things that go wrong.  It's part of life.

I will say this.  I know of NO speaker line that offers so much for so little.  This is not opinion, it is simple math.  Add up the cost of the drivers alone in the DI's, for example, relative to their price.  It's a crazy low mark up.  Eric has offered the audio community a huge value here.  MORE importantly, he knows how to blend the drivers in a special way.  One uniformed poster suggested a "DIY" effort with Tekton  which is just sheer ignorance.  I've done a few DIY builds with good results--but nothing close to my DI's.  Nor would I ever fool myself into thinking "I could do that."