Protoss71,
On the surface I can understand your concern/skepticism. The 30 pound weight reduction (roughly 17%) per speaker isn’t insignificant. Could it be due to smaller magnet assemblies/inductors/ cabinet/bracing? I do not believe that Tekton would intentionally lessen the quality of the Encore.
Does not make sense to me (Shooting themselves in the foot). My suspicion is that these changes you cite are probably efforts to improve and refine an already highly praised product. Youll be able to listen and judge for yourself soon. My hunch is that youll be very happy with the Encores.
Charles |
sid-hoff-frenchman,
You have some fun (As well as insightful) times ahead of you given the numerous component matching/switching comparisons available to you. I believe that each separate combo is going to sound good yet notably different.
Good thing is that you really enjoy what you currently have in your system. Very curious to see what degree of change you’ll hear between the Freya and Don Sachs preamplifier when swapped. No doubt that the KT 88 amplifier when inserted is going to make its presence felt.
The Encores IMO are capable of easily revealing any differences amongst all of the component swapping that lies ahead. I think this will prove to be an exciting and fruitful endeavor for you.
Charles |
sid-holt-Frenchman, I'm quite interested to read your listening impressions of the Don Sachs components compared to your familiar Schiit components. I suspect the sonic presentations are distinctly different. Charles |
Jcarcopo, Your comments /experience are a good example of quality compared to quantity in regard to amplifier power. The 700 watt Nord was not the sonic equal of your much lower power tube amplifiers (With your speakers). No surprise to me.
If the Pass Labs XA 25 is a ’close’ 2nd to two superb tube SET amplifiers that’s quite a compliment indeed for the XA 25. This is a pure class A (25 w at 8 ohm/50 wat 4 ohm class A) relatively simple circuit well designed amplifier. I suspect it would be better sounding than the often praised Parasound amplifier matched with the Tekton Encores. I’m certain I’d love the Encores driven by the 15 watts from the Allnic given my listening preferences. And yes the EML XL 300b is an excellent tube both in sound quality and reliability. Charles |
Hello
Doug, Thank you for your informative reply. It is a true compliment that those inexpensive tube amplifiers worked so well with your two high caliber resolving speakers. Once again an example of the importance of a well chosen output transformer. Charles |
Hi sedond, I'm curious. Were the 3 other 4 watt amplifiers bigger/heavier than the 4 watt Decware amp? I suspect the more capable 4 watt amps had beefier power supplies as well as larger and better quality output transformers. Were these amps SET, SEP or push pull? A 'good' quality well built 4 watt amp should be able to drive a 14 ohm load/ 97 db sensitive speaker to at least reasonable levels (As the 3 other amps were able to do). Charles |
Jcarcopo,
I realize that bi-amping is fairly popular but I believe that your perspective as it relates to the Encore is very rational. It would seem that these speakers don’t need it and are better off with a single high quality amplifier.
Charles |
Hi jcarcopo,
Thanks for the trip down memory lane as I can appreciate it thoroughly. You discovered SETs earlier in life than I. I went through the solid state amplifiers then tube push pull route for a number of years. My introduction to SET amplification happened about 11 years ago. My recognition of their superb attributes mirrors your accurate description. It was quite definitive and unmistakable. Jcarcopo, there's been no looking back 😊.
Charles |
jcarcopo, Very candid advice you provided. The Encore will most likely yield good/decent sound with most amplifiers across a wide price spectrum. I do belief that it will truly sing and display its full potential with very high quality amplifiers. I have no doubt the sound is glorious, tactile and quite emotionally engaging with your Allnic amplifier and Encore pairing. 3 dimensional for certain. Charles |
Jcarcopo,
That is wonderful news and I am really happy for your fantastic results. You are obviously enjoying magnificent sound quality and listening experiences in your home. I am very happy for you.
I doubt that you will have any problem selling the Lyngdorf.
Charles |
Hi Jcarcopo,
That is surprising and unexpected news from you. I know how thrilled you were with the performance of your Lyngdorf. What does the Allnic do better (or different) ? Do you plan on keeping both? Congratulations as I am pretty certain that this Allnic PSET sounds quite wonderful driving your Encores.
Charles |
Honestly the overriding criteria should be the ’end result sound quality. There are numerous ways to build a speaker /cabinets and obtain high quality sound. The knuckle wrap isn’t indicative of the final sound.
What if a particular speaker produced an approved knuckle wrap response yet yields poor sound quality. Of what predictive value is the knuckle wrap? Given the very positive comments regarding the Tekton Encores if would suggest that the cabinet wrapping test is inconsequential.
Charles |
Much attention is paid to a speaker's driver quality and crossover and rightly so. I contend that one of the reasons for the Encores superior sound quality is the internal bracing and improved cabinet construction.
Charles |
Glen,
I don’t own Tekton speakers but I’ve heard the Double Impacts (D.I.) in a friend’s system using my Coincident Frankenstein 300b SET. Later he replaced these speakers with the D.I. SE model which I heard with the Auric Audio 300b SET. I believe that you’d be impressed with them. I was. Despite their 4 ohm impedance they were easily driven by both 8 watt SET amplifiers.
Given what has been said about the Tekton Encores from those who previously owned the D.I. I strongly suspect that this is a very special speaker to consider if it fails within your budget. Jcarcopo is using it successfully with his Art Audio Diavolo 300b SET. The Encores are large speakers so room size is a factor to consider.
Charles |
Hi jcarcopo,
I am really happy to read that things have worked out so well for you with the acquisition of the Lyngdorf. It sure seems as though the "room perfect "feature is excellent in its capacity. I can see where the 400 watts of the Lyngdorf are welcome for certain genres of music. I can also understand whers the 300b Diavolo may be unsurpassed for specific listening situations.
Bottom line is you have got it covered across the board with this current set up. Congratulations.
Charles |
Jcarcopo,
Thanks for the reply. I'm glad the Lyngdorf has fulfilled your expectations.
Charles |
Hi Jcarcopo,
Good to read your initial listening impressions are so pleasing and will surely improve with subsequent burn-in hours. Do you listen to much jazz? I'm interested to know if it conveys the emotional connection of a Miles, Chet Baker, Coltrane, Milt Jackson etc. As convincingly as I assume the Diavolo does. If so then you've found your ideal 1 box audio solution. This genre of music is where in my experience quality SET seperates itself from other topologies. If the Lyngdorf equals or exceeds in this area then that is a significant achievement. For certain you're off to a very good start.
Charles |
Hi Jcarcopo,
I hope that I'm not going to far out on a limb but I get the impression you're quite happy with the Encores😀😀.
Charles |
Jcarcopo,
I understand your predicament. I currently have a 300b SET and two tube class A/B push pull amplifiers. For what I listen to 90% of the time (acoustical jazz) the SET exceeds all prior types of amplifiers. It’s simply the most convincing, pure and realistic.
Jcarcopo, it seems based on Lyngdorf owner commentary this one box component could be the ultimate solution.unmatched convenience coupled with superb sound quality. You will soon find out if this applies to your circumstances and desires. Same scenario IMO with regard to waltersalas. I’m very curious to read both of your listening impressions.
If both of you decide to sell your respective SET amplifiers then it would seemingly confirm what current Lyngdorf owners have been enthusiastically posting. You may in fact end up being "pleasantly surprised" time will tell.
Charles |
Olesno,
That was a thoughtful and wise rebuttal.
Charles |
Hi Walter,
Congratulations!
I predict that the Tekton Encores and your Line Magnetic 508ia will be a beautiful pairing in your system.
Charles |
Mr_m,
If a reviewer Has listened to the Paradigm and in his opinion found them inferior, that simply an honest personal opinion. It doesn’t mean you or anyone else has to necessarily agree with that.
There are so many brands of audio components available to the consumer these days. It is impossible to find one brand that everyone will love or everyone will strongly dislike. It’s pure common sense and the reality, nothing will please everyone universally.
The simplest and most truthful advice to anyone , if you have an opportunity to hear a speaker do so and judge based on your own preference and criteria.
This is why for example you have the constant Wilson compared to the Magico line of speakers debates. Different speakers for different ears.
Charles |
Jcarcopo,
I really appreciate your well written and clearly explained listening sessions. You acquire audio components and give them a fair audition. That is all one can ask for. I can imagine how terrific your current system sounds.
Charles |
Fetguy,
I don’t believe that the two approaches or mindsets are mutually exclusive by any means. We are discussing electronic devices so it’s undeniable that scientific and engineering principles are utilized and applied. I don’t disregard the necessity and importance of measurements and specifications.
My only "big picture" point is when all is said and done you simply must listen and assess your reaction to what you hear. It’s indisputable that audio equipment measurements are important, but they don’t replace (or eliminate the need) the act of actual listening experiences. You wrote "It has to be an emotional event or why bother?" Amen.
Charles |
Hi Roxy54,
Having read many of your Audiogon posts over the years I'd conclude that you are cut froth same cloth as jcarcopo and I. You relish the beauty of music and view it as a gift to mankind. What a "strange" coincidence that we all happen to own and enjoy 8 watt 300b SET amplifiers 😀😀.
Charles |
Jcarcopo,
Based on the description of you by fetguy you and I are cut from the same cloth. If you aren’t moved by and engaged with the music and there’s little or no emotional connection then the components in use are inadequate. People listen to music for pure enjoyment whatever their taste/ music niche may be. The experience shouldn’t be analogous to a sterile/analytical lab exercise IMO.
Charles |
Hello fetguy,
I appreciate your polite and well reasoned explanation to beme54. With regard to audio it is imperative to view the entire picture rather than focus on a few measurements in isolation. I don’t doubt jcarcopo’s listening impressions or his great success using an 8 watt amplifier.
I haven’t heard the very new (model) Tekton Encores. I have heard the Double Impact (DI) driven beautifully by the Coincident Frankenstein (8 watt SET) and the DI SE version driven beautifully by the Aric Audio 8 watt SET.
Measurements are what they are, however actually listening and directly interacting with an audio product is far more meaningful and definitive.
Jcarcopo I celebrate your deep happiness with the Encores. |
