Cube Audio Nenuphar Single Driver Speaker (10 inch) TQWT Enclosure

david_ten Yes the Townshend platforms are still under the Nens.  Sometime ago I meant to take them out to make sure they were beneficial but things were sounding so good I never did.  However, since experiencing the performance boost with the small sub, it has occurred to me the platforms might be impeding bass response.  So over the next 48 hrs I'll take them off the platforms and see what happens.  There is a lively discussion of the Townshend platforms under speakers in another thread but if one tried to create a bottom line from the melee it would be that their benefit is speaker and room dependent.  I'll report back.

Ok thanks Stephen! It's hard for me to demo the Cube! I was also fan of the Odeon Rigletto which has dealer I can drive to. Still concerned no tweeter not able to get top end air! What do you think?

Btw when I wrote 8 or 10 inches I meant what size driver in your Cube?

@david_ten 

I'm using an Alan Eaton 45 amp and a Primaluna Dialogue Premium. These are much less expensive amps, especially purchased used, but I love their sound. The 300B amps I tried definitely had more microdynamic detail and texture. They played a more vivid tone and did sound more "real." However, I felt the sound a touch dry and just not as engaging. The 45 and PL amps keep me glued to listening area. For some reason when using the 300B amps I had a hard time getting the sound to separate from the speakers compared to EL-34 based amps. The PL excels at imaging for me, and I love the versatility of being able to use so many tubes. EL-34's probably being my favorite but the other night listened to KT-150 in triode mode and it was gorgeous. Right now listening to Shuguang WE6CA7's (EL-34) with Radiotechnique NOS 12au7's and it's sounding great. It does gloss over some fine detail but the music is just so enjoyable through it. Same with the 45 amp. That amp just has some "bounce to the bass" that is just so enjoyable. Midrange texture just feels great. Again, not as detailed or crystal clear as the 300b amps (I tried Canary and Sophia Electric), but just fun to listen to. I feel some people would prefer the 300B amps and I can see why. The microdynamics were startling. Especially with intimate vocals recordings and string instruments. Part of my decision was economics as well. Promised my wife I'd sell some stuff so we can do some projects on the house, so I might still sell one of these amps and go with 1 for now, we'll see. I am also interested in modifying the PL and upgrading the caps to V-Cap ODAMs. I know some people don't love PL but I think its a quality amp with a lot of versatility.

kw6 The Nenuphar's have ten inch drivers.  And those drivers deliver a ton of top end air.  Have you read reviews at 6 Moons, Stereo Times and avshowrooms among others?  They might help overcome your concerns about a single wideband driver.  

David--I have spent most of the day listening to my Nens with and without the Townshend speaker platforms.  Here are my notes:

With platforms:
Greater sense of ambient space, definitely more soundstage depth and air.  
Highs a little rolled off and/or sweeter
greater presence

Without platforms
Better instrument location and definition
Bass tighter and less need of sub woofer (turned it down but it still added a lot)
Highs a little harder
Sounds more like hifi than the sense of "being there" with the platforms

Overall impression: Sounds more exciting with platforms, more accurate without

I can see how some would prefer the "without" list of attributes and some the "with" list.  It does seem that the platforms are additive or colored.  (Which surprises me because their technological seems to be based on being subtractive, reducing smearing and distortion.)  I prefer them but I can definitely see how others might prefer the cleaner more accurate sound without.  If I put a SET tube amp in front of the Nens, that might change.