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High value, high efficiency speakers for SET amps

Hi, Gang,
I know that some of what I want to discuss here has been dealt with in other threads, some of them quite old, but I wanted to see if any of you fine, knowledgable folks are willing to help update and consolidate some of this info in a more current thread.
I am currently running my new Audio Note Kit 1 300B SET amp with a pair of Reference 3A De Capo speakers. I think it's a fine pairing and I am really enjoying what the 300B SET experience brings to the table in terms of musicality and emotional connection.
Still the De Capo, while supposedly an easy load due to its crossover-less design (only 1 cap on the tweeter with the mid-woofer directly coupled to the amp), is "only" rated at 92 db efficient, and based on the most recent Canadian NRC specs, that rating may be optimistic.
So, I am toying with the idea of trying a pair of more efficient, deliberately SET-friendly speakers in my rig, something that might also play lower and with greater dynamic swing than the De Capo's. Note that the De Capo's have served me well and I am very fond of them, but I can't help but wonder if my lovely Kit 1 would shine even better coupled to a VERY easy to drive speaker.
Devore and Audio Note are obvious options - the O/96 looks really tasty. Unfortunately, both of those choices are out of my budget, which I'm thinking maxes out (for real) at around $1500. I am willing to consider used equipment.
Tekton Lore 2.0: This is the speaker that Eric Alexander of Tekton has recommended when we've spoken on the phone, based upon my medium-small listening room and amp. I've read the epic "Lore vs. Zu" thread elsewhere in this forum, and clearly Tekton has its enthusiastic fans here. What I wonder is whether the Lore 2.0 has the refinement of the De Capo in terms of resolution, sweet high end and imaging. Audiogon'er Mikirob has pointed me to the many rave reviews of Tekton's speakers and I'm definitely interested.
I've corresponded with the Sonist folks (who are super nice) but their really high-efficiency, nearly-full-range floor stander is out of my budget.
Then there's the "vintage" route, going after some used JBL's or other high-efficiency "classics" from the 80's (or '70's). I am not inclined to go in this direction, but mention it because it's been suggested to me.
And then there's Omega. I spoke to Louis some time ago and he recommended his 7XRS hemp cone model. But I know all the raps on single driver designs and I'm cautious, although I would like to hear from any of you who own or have owned Omega's.
I'm in no rush to make a switch but I am very interested in your thoughts. Thanks, folks!
rebbi
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,851 posts
 
It would be interesting to be able to actually audition and compare the various AN speaker models at the various price points.

For me, what I find challenging is not what each model is so much as what are the difference in sound quality in that teh main difference seems to be the wires and other parts used more so than the basic design or drivers used. I would expect huge differences given teh range of prices but no way to know what to choose without listening and comparing it seems, more so than most lines.
rebbi OP
1,326 posts
 
Hi, folks,
I'm sorry for my absence. I haven't even visited this forum in a few weeks – it's been a very busy time. (I kind of wish that Audiogon had the feature that a lot of other bulletin boards have, allowing you to request email notification whenever someone posts to a particular thread.)
Anyway, yes, I have had the opportunity to live with a couple of other speakers over the past few months. As some of you may have seen on my blog, Fritz Heiler of Fritz Speakers asked me to audition a pair of his Carbon 7 SE monitors. Actually still have them at home, waiting until the next reviewer is ready for them so Fritz can ship them along to him/her. They are really quite wonderful.
I purchased and am currently using a pair of Omega Super Alnico monitors. This is Louis' top-of-the-line monitor, featuring his 6.5 inch hemp cone full range driver with an alnico magnet. Louis of Omega is quite the artisan – the zebra wood veneer is about the most beautiful finish I have ever seen on any speaker.
Omega is a favorite choice of the Decware amplifier crowd and it is easy to see why. I have never heard any speaker that images and throws out a soundstage like these do. [Mapman: You should hear these things play Lindsey Buckingham's "Under the Skin!"] It's quite remarkable: with the right material, you get spaciousness similar to an omni speaker like Ohm, with the pinpoint imaging of a mini monitor. Midrange and coherence are also top notch.
Up until now I've been listening to them on a pair of cheap, wobbly MDF stands that just happened to be the right height but that I know aren't bringing out the best in these speakers. I took the plunge on a pair of Skylan custom-made stands for these and I hope to have the chance to assemble them next week. At that point, I'll be ready to post some more useful impressions.
Hope everyone's been well!
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,851 posts
 
Reno take a look at isoacoustics stands on Amazon if there are a size that would fit. Isolating stands and platforms like auralex subdude seem to take imaging soundstage and detail to a higher level in my upper level rooms not at foundation level.
murgeshj
86 posts
 
I heard the Audion-Note AX-2 with 300b SET, it sounded awesome, had smooth treble, clear mid-range and bass good for the 6inch driver and SET had no problem to drive them effortlessly, however the sound stage didn't have the depth and width of PMC twenty series when compared side by side.
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,851 posts
 
So are these the "ones"?

Nothing wrong with not being totally enamored with something and saying. I bet even Tom Brady can find something not to like about Giselle.
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