Hi everyone, I bought DM 944 speakers from Steve and I'm very impressed. I am using a Fisher 400 receiver with my 944's with very good results.
My problem is I can't use my turntable with the Fisher, low output mc cartridge. My main system I use an Audible Illusion M3 pre-amp with a gold mc phono stage. What SET amp would be a good match with AI pre and 944 combo? The output impedance of the AI pre is 1.2kOhm main output, and 200 Ohm tape output. Input is 50kOhm line input, 100kOhm for CD.
Thanks in advance for any info. This would be my 1st SET and high efficienty speaker system. I tryed EL34 mono's a few years back , but wouldn't drive my Legacy Focus speakers to my satisfaction. Now I have speakers that will let me hear what this single ended triode thing is all about.
Thanks,   Doug

Hi Dos,  Don't forget the decware SE34I.2!!  I have one that has dual volume controls and single input. I use it with a Wright Sound Preamp and just set the dual volume controls on the SE34I.2 at a point where my master volume control on my Wright Sound sounds the best(11:00). Hope you could follow that. Anyway it is probably one of the most beautiful looking amps on the market(I also own a pair of zencs's,) and also one of the most beautiful sounding. My zens are faster but the SE34I.2 is a little richer sounding, maybe just the ticket for those new speakers!    Tish

DAS wrote on 03/24/07 at 16:26:26:



It's easy enough to use your TT with the 400C.  You need to acquire a pair of 1:10 step up cartridge trafos.  Such trafos are available from several sources, including Jensen/Calif.  I suggest you consider the Sowter model 9570, which is capable and physically small.  You might be able to mount a pair of 9570s inside the 400C.

erimille wrote on 03/24/07 at 19:51:48:

I'll try to give my impressions of the DM944's as compared to the Legacy Focus speakers.
The Focus has 3- 15" woofers, 2-7" midrange and a ribbon tweeter and 1.25" dome yweeter. The 944's have an 8" driver and a ribbon tweeter. The Focus is primarily powered by a Krell KSA50s amp, Audible Illusions M3 pre-amp. The 944's were powered by a Fisher 400 tube receiver. The source was the same for both. Yes I did flip flop systems, but preferred tubes for the 944's and ss+ tubes for the Focus.
The Focus has low deep bass and weight to the bottom end. The 944's do not have deep bass, but have tight tunefull bass, nimble if you will. The 944's also had  surprising heft when the recording called for it. The bass almost sounds slow on the Focus when you compare the two.
Soundstage on the Focus is wide ,big and deep when called for. The 944's are not as wide or big ( this may be due to the fact I have them in front of the Focus for now ).
I'm enjoying the contrast too much right now to set them up where they should be.
Midrange on the Focus is nice, not in your face, somewhat creammy smooth. The 944's sounded like a sheet was lifted from in front of the music. The sound is crisp without being bright. It's open ,transparent, exciting! The sound seems faster than the Focus.
The high's are about equal to these 49yr. old ears. Both are non fatiguing, clear and clean. Cymbals sound like cymbals should, this is comming from a former drummer.
I've owned the Focus for 12 yrs. and only owned the 944's for 3 weeks. The 944's were a demo pair that Steve used at Decfest 06 and are pretty well broken in. I paid 7 times the price for the Focus as I did for the 944's.
The best analogy I can come up with is... If the Legacy Focus are an SUV, the DM944's are a sportscar!

Doug

60_and_up wrote on 03/25/07 at 09:14:45:




I'm not in to subwoofers, I like full range speakers. I got the 944's as a way to experience SET with high eff. speakers. I was pleasently surprised with the DM944's.
I bet HDT's would be a perfect combination of both my speakers.
If and when I can afford it I may sell the 944's to get HDT's.
I'll still hold on to my big speakers untill I can hear something beat the beautiful music I am getting from them.
Doug

DAS wrote on 03/25/07 at 04:50:05:


Doug, *many* thanks for the review. Much appreciated.

Regarding amps for driving the DM944's, I'd suggest looking into a Zen Select and CSP combination. With all the talk of the v2 of these, the "originals" seem to be showing up now and again on audiogon (e.g [1]) at very reasonable prices.  I'm running this combination with Steve's new 'hi gain' tubes, and am very pleased.

My hope is to find out shortly if this indeed has the right synergy with the DM944's

--e


[1] http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstube&1177827770

erimille wrote on 03/25/07 at 16:27:24:



from the 944 page,

SPECIFICATIONS



94 dB with 1 watt at 1 meter
55Hz ~ 22kHz
4 ohm nominal impedance
Crossover main driver / none
Crossover ribbon tweeter / 6dB @ 8kHz
2 ~ 100 watts
Max SPL 112dB
Size 8" wide, 10" deep, 16" high
MDF 4th order cabinet, rear ported
Real Oak veneer, hardwood corners
Removable Grill
5 way recessed binding posts on rear
8 inch / cast frame / wool cone / butyl
4 inch / cast frame / isodynamic planar
Cap is 400v Polypropelene Film&Foil
Natural Oak finish or Black Oak finish
Shipping weight 25 lbs.
5 years on drivers and cabinets
30 day money back trial

60_and_up wrote on 03/25/07 at 17:00:58:

I might be persuaded to try your WO32 , If the price was right, and some explaining on how to hook a sub to my Fisher 400.
Thanks, Doug

DAS wrote on 03/25/07 at 17:26:34:


67 views and no-one wants it?

make me an offer.


https://www.decware.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1174780461

erimille wrote on 03/25/07 at 22:34:43:


congrats on the lil fella, ill think of you as i sleep peacefully night after night after ........:)

i assume his name will be 'mick' or 'paddy' or shamus' ?

what was brad pitt called in  "snatch" ?

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0208092/

this is the way i do it



source / amp speakers
         \ xover amp subwoofer

DAS...........pm sent...and my comment was assuming you are using an active crossover.

DAS wrote on 03/26/07 at 18:12:20:



i split the signal at the source before it gets or goes anywhere, and take each independant signal to wherever it belongs or works best.
i believe splitting the signal at the source is ok as most sources have enuf signal (voltage/output) to split without degadation?

DAS wrote on 03/27/07 at 04:21:26:


if you go that route and get a decware set amp for the 944s, your opening a whole new can of worms, a can that has at the bottom

true audio nirvana.

be careful,

you may have to discard some of your music collection (maybe some favorites?), because you will have such a revealing system,

that any imperfection at all in the recording will make it unlistenable.


this is a good thing, because listening to the remainder of your collection will be like haveing 'the band' in the room with you.

excellent choice DAS  8-)