Tekton Double Impacts

@kdude66   Kenny, hows your LTA experiment progressing? :)

@bullitt5094  Neo is still the one. No worries.

Or is it MZ2S and Triode2A3 are the one... : )

@kdude66 

Kenny, thanks for the detailed post on the driver array and how it works. From an earlier post of yours:

"So, acoustically you have a six inch mid-range driver with a coaxial mounted tweeter which means it functions as a single point source."

I understand the single point source concept, however I don't see how that would work when doubled up as it is with the Ulfberths. Can you explain?

Thanks.

@lpretiring  There was so much back and forth today, that I overlooked saying: Congratulations on ordering the Electrons.

If you are having second thoughts about how they might work for you vs the Double Impacts, perhaps Eric can swap out your order?

I cannot see how you can go wrong with the Triode 2A3 amp. Triode is well regarded, not only in this thread, but to reaches far far beyond. 

And you may be surprised at how well your current preamp functions in the chain.

Many of us have been moving new equipment in to optimize our listening experiences and preferences since purchasing the Double Impacts. If a component isn't a good fit, it is far from the end of the world. In fact, I'd say that the beautiful part of the journey is just beginning for you!

I'd wait until you've had some time with the Electrons and then make a much more informed choice.

@corelli  You may have to start reporting on calories burned per ride, since your mileage is being eclipsed. Kms will work for the short term. :)

@lpretiring  Loreena McKennitt is wonderful! I heard her for the first time in a coffee shop in Fredericton (that's New Brunswick Canada).

You will get your Electrons. Eric always delivers. :)

@mazikrav  Fred, Thanks for sharing more about your listening preferences, your Brilliance speakers, and thoughts on the topics on hand.

A get together in the Salt Lake City area sounds fantastic.

Our very own "Tektonic Burning Man" if you will. :)

@sjwpwrpro  Welcome and great that you are posting in the thread and that you are very happy with the Double Impacts. Looking forward to hearing more about your system and how the DIs keep working for you as you bring in the Freya etc.

@sebrof  Welcome and hope you are able to audition the DIs. Where in Texas are you located?

@vitop Any updates on your end? Do you have your 'Mini Ulfs?'

@kdude66   Kenny, looking forward to your test results from today's MZ2S exam!

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Congratulations, mdlofnwhr.

I had the RR2150 a long long time ago and it was a really nice stereo receiver...I imagine the 2160 has come a long way from then/there also.

Looking forward to hearing how it all works out!

@evolvist :  

The AHB2 is a phenomenal amp. I'm sure you will be very happy with it and the Linn KDS/3, especially since you are probably looking for a very 'clean and clear' presentation. Given this (I'm assuming), the Ulf mini is probably a better choice over the DIs.

Speaking of Decware, I have been keeping an eye on their product line-up...just haven't been able to make the jump to tubes yet.

Since you were comparing DACs/Pres and settled on the Linn, did you also consider the Bricasti M12?

@grannyring   The TDAI is uber cool. Wish they could make a bigger splash in the U.S. market...but, for those in the know.... : )

@evolvist  Thanks for the info on the Bricasti M12.  

The DIs will surprise you with hard rock and beyond. Like @mofojo  says, it depends on the recording. The ability of the DIs to separate and layer musical information is exceptional.

And just one clarification. In my previous post I was referring to tubes in the present. I came to my present solid state self from a very tubular existence.  : )  

@laaudionut

Brian, following up on your findings vis a vis the Pass XP-20...

Earlier,

I will tell you, as someone who currently has Pass gear and the XP-20 specifically, that I was underwhelmed from the moment I introduced it to the XA 60.8’s. Yes it was detailed and un-coloring, but the imaging was poor, the soundstage seemed compressed...it just did not sound,"musical" to my ears and taste. The moment I was able to to an A-B comparison using Aric’s loaned preamp, I knew I was on to something special.

and more recently,

Currently I am utilizing my Oppo 205 as a transport and DAC to stream Tidal, but want to take it up a notch.

Were you using the Oppo with the XP-20 or did you have another front end?

Wondering if you found the same when using another front end?

Thanks!

Hi @iamasif  Have you considered leaving the DIs as is for your home theatre application and using a single sub for LFE only?

Others are using subs, so they will be able to let you know what's working for them. 80 Hz seems high, to me.

Anyone have any experience and recommendations on a dCS dealer? The closest ones to me are in Atlanta and Dallas. I'm fairly sure I am not region protected.

Component I'm considering is the dCS Network Bridge.

Thanks.

@evolvist  

Great to hear that you and Bullitt had a terrific evening.

With the Linn as your front end, and with its Space Optimization, and the ABH2 driving Bullitt's DIs, I think you will be picking up your socks.

Happy to start a sock collection, should you lose yours. :)

Enjoy the next audition adventure.

@vitop  If those are the speakers you ordered for the side walls, they look very cool. Are you going with the white as shown in the pics?

@evolvist 

I, for one, don't think this is off topic at all. I'd say it is very relevant.

This thread has been about improving sound quality, as expressed through the Double Impacts, which all of us are working on in different ways. From our many posts and discussions that process is still evolving with excellent results across the board.

I'm quite interested in your findings and from those that have used other room correction approaches/software. 

@vitop :  That's going to be some sound system once you have it installed. 

Hope there is an open invite for an in person listen once all is optimized!

Great to see an 8 Ohm specific design.

@vitop  Before getting the Double Impacts I was focused on building a home theatre system. I was actively looking at Pre/Pros and the Lyngdorf MP-50 was a possibility, though a stretch for me at it's asking price and the fact that it was a brand new product. It had just been released and there were bugs that were being worked out.

I'm guessing you are following it over at AVSForums. If not, take a look at the dedicated thread with active dealer updates and support.

You are right in pointing out that the TDAI 2170 and the MP-50 are very different products.

The target audience / buyer of the MP-50 is very different than the 2170. And the applications are vastly different. 

If your concerns are around adding external power amps and cabling, I wouldn't be. 

@vitop  We are on the same page! : ) At the end of my research I ended up with the Anthem being the best choice for me as well, albeit with a separate chain for 2ch.

@teajay   Excellent read. Informative. Lovely! Thanks.

@porscheracer  Thanks for sharing the photographs of your speakers and setup. It's nice to get perspective on how things look in one's room. I see you have the bike set up to serve as a diffuser!  : )

Posting this here since many have or have followed Aric's amps and preamps, etc.

https://hometheaterreview.com/aric-audio-transcend-push-pull-tube-amplifier/

Thanks, Terry. Great read and review.

Congratulations, Aric!

@333jeffery I did drive the Tekton Double Impacts with the NAD M27 for a short time. This was a few months ago, and I was evaluating the Oppo UDP 205 (rather than the M27s or the DIs). Driven by the 205 - M27s pairing the DIs sounded very clean with tons of detail.

I’m breaking in a Pass XA30.8 now. If you need to make a decision quickly, I can swap in the M27; otherwise, I can put it in system a week from now. Let me know.

+1 on what @vitop says in his above post. If you like the sound of good
Class D, you should be ok with it. As you know, and as has been mentioned many times in the thread -- The DIs are honest and will reflect what you have in the chain ahead of them.

FYI, The M27s are Hypex N-Core.

@roxy1927   As you know, so much of our hobby is about personal preferences and personal choices based on any number of varying factors. The only way for you to truly know is to hear the Kef Blades and the upper level Tektons for yourself and decide. 

I don't believe there is a perfect speaker out there, but at the individual level there are probably some; and for you it might be the Kefs or Tekton or something else. 

The Tekton owners as well as some other active members on this thread are very helpful and if you are looking for specific guidance, do reach out.

@evolvist  I mentioned bringing the  M27 in as a check, in case it was beneficial for @333jeffery to get a baseline for Class D. I believe @333jeffery is playing at a level far above the M27. : )  : )  : )

@evolvist and @bullitt5094  Great to hear Bullitt's system is coming together. Looking forward to hearing more about the SEs once they are fully run-in.

@vitop  I'm pleased with the NAD M27. And it is frustrating that it is sitting idle while I wait for my HT system to take shape. Like you, I've been impressed with it's reviews and performance in my system. And like you, I will probably have the Anthem AVM 60 in front of it. But I wouldn't choose it as my go to amp for 2ch, as long as I had choices. For that, I have a very clear lean towards Class A/B and now finally a Class A amp in the Pass XA30.8.  Your response to 333Jeffery made me think it would be good to get it back in system and see how it does, now that my system is more 'mature' and better dialed in than it was when I had just received the Double Impacts.

@vitop  

It's a very good question. And I plan to find out much more specifically, when I bring the M27 back in. It will be a good test for me.

These things / differences are about preferences and experiences. And they uniquely become more about us than uniquely about the electronic component. 

I also come from having a tube based system and bias when I was seriously into 2ch audio circa 2006 to 2012. Since then, until this April, I have had a major holiday from 2ch.  In this now current iteration I've decided to go solid state. For now. : )

I'll try to answer your question, but I apologize in advance if what I share is not satisfactory. First off, I'll say that each of these amps has a 'signature' to its sound re-production via the DIs that my ears differentiate over longer listening periods with each amp. These are not serious nor negative differences, but differences nonetheless. If I only had a single amp, I'd be happy accepting any one of them. They are all good enough for my needs. BUT, AND THIS IS IMPORTANT, I also accept that there are better amps (to my ears) available than what I have.

I spent more time comparing the Moon Neo 330A and the SST SoA mk2, which are both class A/B (and not the M27 since it's multi-channel and is planned for HT) when I first got the DIs.  I realized that the SST was ultimately preferable (and this was after initially preferring the Moon) and it was mainly because it was 'warmer,' with more body than the Moon Neo and I liked how the musical 'energy' was portrayed by the SST. As I've tweaked and upgraded my system, the SST has been able to keep up and showcase the changes along with the DIs and the rest of the chain.

In terms of the M27, I'm going from memory from about 4 months ago, when my system was just being re-built. I'd say that it boils down to my musical and emotional response, with the other amps delivering more of the connection to the music and artists that's important to me. If it was the only amp I had, despite the extra channels, I'd be happy listening to 2ch or to a hybrid 2ch/HT system via this amp.

Once you get your Tektons in, play with different amps...perhaps some local audio buddies can bring their amps over...I understand @evolvist  loves to travel with his! : )

I'd also be happy to send the SST to you, when you have your system setup and dialed in for you to compare with your M27, driving the main L/R channels.

James, welcome to the thread.

And thanks for telling us about your system and what worked for you with the amps you have had on hand.

Love the pics on your Canuck Audiomart site. The DIs look sweet...what colour? Mine are soft grey.

You've got quite a collection of speakers and components.

Seeing the Totem Winds brought back memories. Good ones.

@james_w514  Thanks. That's understandable. I'm all about blocking the light...but that's likely because of the heat it generates the ~1000 or so miles south of you! : )

@james_w514  and @evolvist:

I'm also a Focal Utopia owner, though I've never driven them with a tubed system. At some point, I will pick up a tubed headphone amp for the Utopias. I'm driving them with a HeadAmp GS-X Mk2. Any recommendations?

Nick, I get what you are saying. The Focals gave me a benchmark for what a reference system could be and they've helped me better and more completely understand my sound preferences. They have been exceptionally educational for me.

Like the Double Impacts, the Utopias are very telling of what's ahead of them, AND, both the Double Impacts and Utopias are scaling champs.

James, that is QUITE A STATEMENT: "For the first time in this hobby I was left with the sense of fear that I would still listen to the Tekton’s over a much pricier speaker..."

Congratulations on going with the Ulf Minis. I'm sure many, including myself, look forward to your comparison of the Mini Ulfberths with the Double Impacts.

At this point, it looks like members who are moving forward with the Ulfs are mainly going with the Mini Ulf? Is that correct?  

Reasons / Rationale other than size and price, for doing so over the fuller sized Ulfs?

Thanks.

@vitop   Vito, thanks and I very much understand since your are bringing in so many speakers.

I'm just curious about the rationale of folks who have gone with the Ulf Minis vs the Ulfs, since most are purchasing sight unseen and sound unheard.

Size and cost are definitely going to be a factor. My curiosity is regarding the other factors folks are using in making a decision.

@evolvist  Your explanation helps a lot and I have a much better understanding of how you've approached it. Thanks!

@pts   You may want to reach out to Eric as well. He may have sold some DIs within the greater Los Angeles region. That's where I'd start. 

@pts  You are a good man! Good of you to do so with your family's full involvement!

Most guys would go behind their back. : ) 

"60 Days in a Motel" sounds like a movie title! : )

+1 @bullitt5094  @evolvist @james_w514   This is very similar to what other direct to end user speaker manufacturers are doing. So Tekton isn't the only one.

With my recent Pass amp purchases, I have to pick up shipping and insurance both ways and it's only a 14 day trial. For the 30.8 that was around $200 for a very short trial...realistically only about 5 days at full on performance, post run-in guidelines. 

Tekton's offer is far superior. 60 days is generous. 30 days is the norm.

 And there are no restocking fees, which some are starting to add...and which I understand and agree with since there is a very real added cost at the manufacturer's end.

For those into numbers....even if one factors in a very generous 10% return rate as a general speaker return rate, the up front real cost of the risk is around $30 for taking that chance.  I'm being very simplistic here. (Factor in some other variables, and it drops even further).

It really is a no-brainer of a deal. I'd take it for just the learning opportunity.

Came across this recent review of the Valvet E2 (link posted below).

I've posted the link because it is a low power Class A Solid State amplifier that may be a pairing to consider with the Double Impacts. It is also 'reasonably' priced for a Class A amp.

[Please note that I do not have any connection to the review site nor the distributor / seller]

Review:  http://www.10audio.com/valvet-e2.htm

Audiogon Listing:  https://www.audiogon.com/listings/solid-state-stereo-amplifier-handmade-in-germany-new-2018-01-27-am...

@corelli  I've had Yo-Yo Ma's Inspired By Bach : The Cello Suites in rotation of late...I'll pull up the Vivaldi Cello Concerts.

Right now I'm flying with Rudresh Mahanthappa's 'Bird Calls'  - Fabulously fleshed out and rendered by the SEs.

It might be very interesting to compare the Pass XA-25 to the Valvet E2, which is single ended with 12/20 Class A Watts into 8/4Ohm.

@laaudionut  Looking forward to your take once you have a few more hours on Aric's Motherlode!

@djtunes  Not sure what you mean by "Well, it's a year out..." ???  Thanks.

@teajay   Terry: Thank you once again for your ongoing contributions to this thread and now the overview of your findings about the Ulfberths at the beginning of your evaluation.

I purchased the Double Impacts immediately after reading your review the day it was published...and have not regretted that 'oh so quick' leap of faith that I'm generally much more careful with. So thank you again, personally, for all of the joy these speakers have brought me and to my home.

Are you able to provide us with more detail about your current entire system, beyond the preamp and amp, so we can get a feel for it?  This would be very helpful...like the note about using the Sistrum Platforms.

- David.

@teajay   Thank you for sharing the details on your system. Very helpful.

@brotw 

Brody, I encourage you to keep an open mind on possibly going solid state....there are many paths to getting to where you want to: tubed, solid state or hybrid. 

Right now I'm listening to Steve Coleman's 'Invisible Paths' on an all solid state system....and the results are absolutely fantastic. Especially wonderful since it's before the household is up (and all is quiet). 

I read your earlier posts and questions. I have heard Line Magnetic products while demoing speakers. I have not heard the LTA, Triode, or Decware products, etc. All are roundly praised. I'd add Melody to your list if you decide to go tubed and integrated.

My advice is not component specific. I'd say to go with the best integrated you can swing per your budget and move to separates when you are able to and have a much better feel for how to best create the synergy you are looking for, from the DIs at the end of your system chain. If you are playing a wider genre of music, the additional power you mention will come handy and deliver.

I'd put the savings (from one less component and PC and IC) towards a really good power cord and an effective platform and footers for your component. I believe what's done on the periphery of a system is as important as the component.

@bullitt5094  It's great that you have the opportunity allowing for @evolvist and @vitop to audition your new equipment and provide feedback, etc.

In this case, I think it's easy for Klaus to 'swear' : )  Since it isn't close to being a fair 'fight' with your Denon pre. 

Looking forward to hearing about how it all works out within your system!

@bullitt5094  Are you therefore, watching movies outdoors in your Mustang....?    : )