Like others here I use the Cerious Tech Graphene Extreme speaker cables with my DI's and in my opinion the CT GE cables are a high value in the same way the DI's are. I sold off my 4K speaker cables after trying the $649 CT GE's and will never shop for cables again.
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.
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.
Showing 50 responses by lancelock
My DI SE are breaking in nicely and sounding incredible. I just put the SoundCity Outriggers and Isoacoustics GAIA I footers on finally. I’m running a Modwright Oppo 205 direct to LTA UltraLinear. I will insert the MZ2 as a preamp to see what difference it makes but I’m throughly enjoying this sound right now with crushing dynamics and more bass than I’ve ever heard in this room. |
@david_ten the DI SE are still breaking in so not the best way to review isolation. Since I took them out of the box last week They have been sitting on the carpet without any feet at all. Now I have the outriggers for stability and the Isoacoustics Gaia I with spiked cups for the carpet. A much tighter bass is immediately noticeable. MicroZOTL Preamp vs MZ2 The same house sound just more of it. The new preamp has a wider, more clearly defined sound stage and more sparkle at the top. The bass is just a bit more real sounding. There is smoothness, a little smoother without losing dynamics. I can’t explain this but could the MZ2 have been a little grainy sounding? The piano is sounding more real than ever. There is more clarity in the sense of having more space in between notes or just less noise? Not that I could ever detect any audible noise before with the MZ2 but the background is darker. I guess more real sounding, more in the venue feel. So the flavor is the same just more of it and the best description I could use is refined, more refined. I think Mark has optimized this circuit design as far as it will go and the more I listen the more I like it. I had to return this one after only a few days but I will be buying one. Lance |
@teajay , you will need to review some more gear soon. I stopped in at Linear Tube Audio today and saw some cool stuff coming. The new ZOTL10 MK2 is already on the web site and it is a completely different animal from the first version, with a Linear power supply and other changes Mark has made makes it sound like the MZ2 alone but with 10 watts. Also the integrated 10watt amp is almost ready but the most interesting thing I saw was a prototype of a full size and function cost no object preamp. I always have fun when I stop in there especially when I’m supposed to be working. |
@harv1021, about how how many hours would you say are on them now that you are experiencing this change. I also am loving the sound. @david_ten , im not sure when I will get around to trying the Gaia without the outriggers, it took 2 of us install these. This sound is different but I think it will rival my first system. I have ordered the LTA Preamp. https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/new-linear-tube-audio-microzotl-preamplifer |
@rubytuesday, looking forward to further impressions. I’m hearing big changes as breakin continues with the DI SE. The combo UltraLinear + MicroZOTL is incredible, rivaling my electrostats in sound quality. The real test will be to bring my vinyl setup into this room to try out because as good as the Modwright Oppo 205 is it really doesnt reach the level of my SL1200GAE, ART9 and JC3+ for absolute mesmerizing sound. |
mac48025, I am interested in your impressions of these speakers with your new LTA gear when it comes. I agree with others posters here that the Linear Tube Audio MZ2-S and ZOTL40 are great bang for the buck products and are also world class amps as well. My listening room is pretty well set with my LTA gear and Janszen zA2.1 speakers but I do have a second system to work on. |
Charles1dad, if I were an EE maybe I could scratch the surface of explaining David Bernings designs but they are very complicated. These amps are unlike any other tube amp I have ever owned and they also seem more powerful than conventional tube amps. David Berning's ingenus impedance conversion tech is behind this. http://davidberning.com/technology |
@ozzy , I just read this on the Tekton owners Facebook page: "Listened to two different amps today with an Audiogon member. ATmasphere Mk-60 mono and a Rodger mojdeski built amp. The atmasphere mono amps were very good and drove the DI's nicely. Hardly even a load for them. NIce inner detail, transients and upper and mid range. The DI's will reveal anything put into them nicely. QUite the educational time. My BAT vk500 does most of this very well but the finesse of the ATmasphere tube amp is really superb. I am still interested in the Lyngdorf 2170, the BAT VK55SE, the Aric Audio Transcend seriesKT120SE amp.Good Times tonight" |
I have been reading this thread with interest in the Double Impacts and then I read someone is powering them with the one watt MZ2 so Just for the heck of it, I hooked up my older Micro ZOTL2 amp and MZ2-S as preamp together to see what kind of SPL I could get with my 93db sensitive Decware Radial speakers in my living room. I'm playing at levels as loud as I want surprisingly without clipping. The sound is as good as I've ever heard these speakers sound. A small notch above the Berning ZH230 I use. It is no surprise this little 1 watt amp will drive the Tekton's. |
My DI SE have several hundred hours on them now and even though broken in seem to still be gradually improving. I have tried high powered SS amps with excellent results. My current LTA 20 watt UltraLinear is a winner. It is perhaps the best compromise for those who like tube sound but also the speed and dynamics of SS. I still would like to try a low watt SET amp to see what all the fuss is about. My room is 17’x 18’ with bass traps and diffusers source is a Modwright Oppo 205 with tube mods no preamp (still waiting for new LTA preamp) the system is sounding very real |
@snovosel since you are considering the ZOTL40 with your DI SE, I would suggest the LTA UltraLinear instead of the ZOTL40. I have the DI SE and own both amps and as much as I love the ZOTL40 the UL is better and the 20 watts are plenty. When I say the UL is better I mean it is the best amp ive ever heard. |
I just ordered the DI SE in a color called "Rosso Folgore" I saw it in the sample pics on his web site and it's beautiful. Karma said it could be 16 - 20 weeks. I'm OK with that, as long as I know what to expect. l also just got the Linear tube Audio UltraLinear amp. So far it's the most incredible 20 watts I've ever heard. For those of you that used the Micro ZOTL 1 watt to power your DI's and liked the sound, it's like that but Sweeter top, tighter bass with a lot more power . |
@waltersalas "Audiophile Nervosa being what it is, I didn't want to get, like, and keep the speakers, only to experience that niggling feeling six or eight months from now that I might be missing that extra few degrees of refinement or impact--if I had only gotten the upgrade" Well said. I eagerly await the DI duel with the Daedalus. |
@klh007 , I still have the Mirror Image amps, all 400 watts into 4 Ohms running the DIs and sounding fantastic. The LTA Ultralinear is currently breaking in powering my Janszen zA21.1s and surprisingly loud with 20 watts powering 87 dB speakers. Yes, I have maple and brass but always looking to try something new. My new Cerious Technologies Graphene Matrix Cables are now settling in with the DIs and oh boy do they make a difference. I will move the Ultralinear downstairs with the DIs soon but I already know this Ultralinear amp is very special. More to come. |
While I’m now waiting for the DI SE, I have tried quite a few amps with the DI’s to find the combo I like the best. I have borrowed some big SS amps from friends and a few different LTA amps as well. I have now tried Benchmark AHB2, Mirror Image 1.1SB, Plinius SA103, LTA MZ2, LTA ZOTL40 and the LTA mystery amp I reported on months ago when Mark loaned me his prototype. The mystery amp is the 20 watt UltraLinear. Mark has built one for me though the production model isn’t quite ready yet. The UltraLinear is a keeper. I have never heard the DI’s sound this good. It really does sound like the MZ2 on steroids with crushing dynamics and tight bass like the best SS. There’s a creamy midrange goodness of tubes and sparkle at the top. It makes music flow so very naturally and has the blackest of backgrounds. I am really enjoying the DI’s, time to make room for the SE. Lance |