Tekton Double Impacts


Anybody out there heard these??

I have dedicated audio room 14.5x20.5x9 ft.  Currently have Marantz Reference CD/Intergrated paired to Magnepan 1.7's with REL T-7 subs.  For the vast majority of music I love this system.  The only nit pick is that it is lacking/limited in covering say below 35 hz or so.  For the first time actually buzzed the panel with an organ sacd. Bummer.  Thought of upgrading subs to rythmicks but then I will need to high pass the 1.7's.  Really don't want to deal with that approach.

Enter the Double Impacts.  Many interesting things here.  Would certainly have a different set of strengths here.  Dynamics, claimed bottom octave coverage in one package, suspect a good match to current electronics.

I've read all the threads here so we do not need to rehash that.  Just wondering if others out there have FIRST HAND experience with these or other Tekton speakers

Thanks.
corelli

Showing 50 responses by klh007

manati, Consider Cerious Technologies cabling, there's a thread on Agon with many selling costlier cables for these graphene CTs.

cal3713 & greg22lz, please remember that Paul now has a Level 5 speaker cable of silver, expensive but the systems I've heard it in were superb.
treebeard, The DI/Parasound combo at RMAF was very synergistic, you will really enjoy your system, and it's value will be off the charts, congratulations!
If you see me there, I'll be attending all 3 days, stop me and say hello, my name tag will be; Kemper Holt, EnjoyTheMusic
Binding posts might be upgraded, and even better crossover caps &  coils than the standard "upgraded" package, structural integrity/bracing, it would be enlightening to actually find out about the upgrade choices.
I second mac's advice, Herbie's threaded gliders, easy to move/position speakers for best soundstage, one position for critical listening and another for everyday living.
The Gustard X-20 is a favorite of Ric Shultz of Electronic Visionary systems (tweakaudio.com), a real modder, the new OPPO Sonica DAC uses the latest Sabre 9038 chips and Dan Wright has a tube mod out, and the HOLO Spring Kitsune tuned R2R DAC is very nice as well.
David, The Comet/Ion combo is difficult to integrate into a HT scenario, but I use them in a 2ch and TV situation and voice are still correctly placed for TV sources, and very clear/transparent in the room presentation. What are your amp contenders? I can't figure out any way to incorporate the latest HT codecs and use the Comet/Ion except the RCA inputs and have an A/D conversion?

ozzy, I asked Eric to check this thread and respond to you, give him a call and be sure to ID yourself, you will get through to Eric.
@csmgolf , SE version uses made to Tekton spec'd drivers instead of off the shelf, I think better crossover parts than the DI w/upgrades, and I believe the cabinet is just a little bit bigger.
David, I vote for Herbies big sliders under the DIs, stable and allow easy positioning.
Kenny, Please tell us the Class D amps that had you sell off your Class A and valve amps?
Regarding DACs, I second Gary's Border patrol, Exogal Comet, Gustard, and top of the heap AQUA LaScala. I wish I could hear the DIs in Chicago at AXPONA?
Courtesy of Mark and Will of LTA, I got a chance to hear the  Micro-ZTOL/ZOTL-40 pair at AXPONA, just a sensational sounding combination that bested a SS pre/power easily, more open, faster, better dynamics, and the ability to portray emotion in a voice. Well built, and a true bargain in the high end arena.
I read where the Gaias lose effectiveness toward the top of their weight rating, so maybe the biggest Gaias will have the most help?

David Berning told me the maximum power from the MZ 2 S comes at 3 ohms, and drops as the impedance rises. There are more products coming from LTA, Mark, and David, keep your ears open. At AXPONA I heard the MZ2S/ZOTL40 combo leave a SS pre/amp of similar cost in the dust, the speaker manufacturer loved the LTA gear and ended up visiting David in Potomac to hear more Berning kit.
Lance, Don't you have maple blocks under the DIs? Can you comment on the differences between the MI 1.1 and LTA Ultralinear amps on your DIs?
Thanks for the update Lance. I'll have to come down in 2018 and hear the new amps and GM cables. I heard a demo of the Gaia footers at RMAF and the difference was noteable.
Eric must not sleep? He's producing new models on a very fast track, I'm very interested in the DIs.
mdlofnwhr, Please don't forget the LTA tube gear, the 40w amp would pair well with a HT processor, runs cool and the cage covers it all, lightweight to boot, and really sounds great (allowing emotion, color, and openness most SS gear cannot deliver).
craigl59, The Comet Plus DAC from Exogal was designed to drive amps directly and uses a variation of the Wadia digital volume control using a small remote, or an app for your smartphone.
Craig, A DAC that should be on your short list sells used for $1500 to $1900, the Exogal Comet Plus from the former Wadia crew, best digital volume solution and just sounds sensational.
Congratulations Eric on the review, and the measurements by JA which show an extremely flat frequency response and no comb filtering issues!
Jeffery, Do the Ulfs give up much sensitivity compared to the DIs? I'm happy the dynamically alive parameter seems to be a feature on all the new Tekton designs. Once the Ulfs break in, please continue to post your impressions.
Vitop, The Brilliance has a much smaller midrange, maybe lighter/faster than the larger pair in the DIs, that may be part of the "more clarity" from the Bs?
The Odyssey amps are very good, Klaus is a character but builds musical, muscular amps, I own a pair of Kismets, safe reliable choice.
Bill and Tom, How did you terminate the WE speaker cables? Did you just use them unterminated directly onto the posts?
Another product similar to the Lyngdorf TADI 2170, is the combo from Exogal, Comet & Ion. The Exogal combo keeps the signal in the digital domain as well, sounds superb in my system. grannyring is right about the future, look for more all in one all digital units coming down the pike. I will be able to hear the DIs soon as one of the posters here lives close to me, I'm looking forward to the audition.
To answer david_ten's question about the MZ2's output, David B told me the MZ2"s max output occurs at 3 ohms, and I can't remember if he said 1.3 or 1.7 watts, this is another contributing factor in how the MZ2 drives the DIs handily.
I'm with imswjm, the TDAI 2170 seems almost too good to be true. No interconnects, 1 power cord, short signal paths, plenty powerful, RoomPerfect, and grannyring has tried to advance it's sonics with other amps unsuccessfully, the unit as is is top shelf. It can take HDMI in, so BluRays get included. Grannyring, have you any opinion on the  ICC (INTER-SAMPLE CLIPPING CORRECTION) ? I'm really surprised the TDAI 2170 hasn't gotten more traction/exposure given the stellar reviews? It's too bad he doesn't own DIs.
Instead of speculating, why don't you just call Eric and ask about what options would work?
btotw, Maybe Lancelock will weigh in on your question. He has an MZ2 pre, and has used a ZOTL 40 and the Benchmark amp with his DIs. I think the SS amp brought a little more bass heft and control w/o losing the harmonic richness.
@porcheracer, To solve your hum problem, call Mark at Core Power Technologies and give one of their Equi=Core balanced conditioners a try. No risk to try, and many times I've seen hum issues solved on the spot.It's basically a transformer based conditioner that does the job without crushing dynamics, 720-317-9141, https://www.corepowertechnologies.com/      
vitop, Kenny's suggestions are spot on. If you don't want to DIY, search around your town for a company offering record cleaning service. We are lucky in the DC/Baltimore area to have Vinyl Revivors which offers every level of record cleaning. You might also do a TT tuneup, especially adjusting VTA, and listening to various heights before ripping your collection.

vitop, In reference to your ZOTL 10 comments, I find the LTA gear responds dramatically to tube rolling to match the sound you want with your system. The MZ2 needs to be gain matched with your system, the stock unit may have too much gain when used with highly efficient speakers and can sound a little bright/thin, tube rolling can lower the gain and restore the magic the MZ2 is fully capable of producing. The 10 can also be massaged with rolling glass. LTA and David aren't done yet, more goodies are coming from the collaberation.
@danoroo, I mentioned the lack of a southern event to Gary Gill (Owner of Capital AudioFest) at a DC HiFi Group meeting Saturday, and he agreed one might be beneficial, but his schedule is full with job plus CAF so he couldn't even consider doing one. Maybe some manufacturers located in the southern US need to cooperate and begin with a small event? Perhaps danoroo should start an event in Texas?
Joe, lancelock on this thread lives in Annapolis, owns DIs, and has ordered DI SEs. He has used all of the LTA tube amps, 10, 40, and new Ultralinear; Plinius, and Mirror Image SS amps @200WPC, so he can shed some light on the differences on amplification. Tekton did show with JC1s at 2017 RMAF to great effect, I'm sure they would be a worthy choice.
porscheracer, Call Mark at LTA and see if anything balanced is in the pipeline?

David, I have heard Greg's Rival's at 2 shows with BP kit, always fun, engaging, wildly dynamic and live sounding, rooms I just want to hear what music they're going to play next. I heard the DIs at Lance's, not broken in and with prototype tubes, very dynamic, great detail along with nice tone and richness, bass a little light and soundstage just needed some more work on placement, a real affordable bargain in the High End, and soon I'll hear them broken in with Mirror Image or Benchmark SS amps. Please give us your thoughts on a comparison between them.