Forums - Comparison between Rachel and I.2

ZENCDUSER Senior Member Posts: 83	Comparison between Rachel and I.2 08/30/12 at 02:39:04 I know not many units are out there, but would like to hear Steve's or anyone's views between the two. I understand Rachel is bridgeable, has meters to monitor tube performance, and doesn't have the dual power supply (and consequently one less tube). But I'm curious if there is a difference in sound between the I.2 and Rachel
Back to top	IP Logged

Lon Seasoned Member "Love without guts is worthless!" Philip K. Dick Posts: 27009	Re: Comparison between Rachel and I.2 Reply #1 - 08/30/12 at 03:02:56 I haven't heard the new one. But. .. I don't think Steve would have put it out unless it sounded improved! My guess is that the noise floor is lower and it sounds overall "crisper." But that's just a guess. I really loved my .2.
Back to top	HR-1,ZBIT,ZROCK3,SEWE300B; Rega RP3 all GrooveTracer mods;PSAudio:PST+DSD, DAC Mk II,NPC,PowerBases,AC-12 pwr cbls, Reference spkrcbls; Mapleshade SamsonV3;VeraFi Audio cpts VooDoo:Cremona+Amati interconnects;Stack EQ; headphones:Sennheiser HD800S,ZMF Ori,Oppo PM1 IP Logged

ZENCDUSER Senior Member Posts: 83	Re: Comparison between Rachel and I.2 Reply #2 - 08/31/12 at 15:47:03 I hope so Lon! I left a message a few days ago and am still waiting for a response. I'm asking because this is the first time where I didnt see a mention of sound improvement.
Back to top	IP Logged

Lon Seasoned Member "Love without guts is worthless!" Philip K. Dick Posts: 27009	Re: Comparison between Rachel and I.2 Reply #3 - 08/31/12 at 16:01:27 Did you see this thread? Steve says it's a "lucid" improvement in the fist post . . . . https://www.decware.com/cgi-bin/yabb22/YaBB.pl?num=1327279616
Back to top	HR-1,ZBIT,ZROCK3,SEWE300B; Rega RP3 all GrooveTracer mods;PSAudio:PST+DSD, DAC Mk II,NPC,PowerBases,AC-12 pwr cbls, Reference spkrcbls; Mapleshade SamsonV3;VeraFi Audio cpts VooDoo:Cremona+Amati interconnects;Stack EQ; headphones:Sennheiser HD800S,ZMF Ori,Oppo PM1 IP Logged

Steve Deckert

Administrator

If the 1st watt
sucks why continue?

Posts: 6454

Re: Comparison between Rachel and I.2
Reply #4 - 08/31/12 at 18:08:47

Quote:

I hope so Lon! I left a message a few days ago and am still waiting for a response. I'm asking because this is the first time where I didnt see a mention of sound improvement.

Sorry, I never got your message. The new amp has better transparency and improved imaging. Otherwise it sounds exactly the same as the SE34I.2

Steve

Back to top

IP Logged

ZENCDUSER

Senior Member

Posts: 83

Re: Comparison between Rachel and I.2
Reply #5 - 08/31/12 at 20:49:55

Thanks Steve and Lon! I see the link shows lucid was a tlittle too much to include now. Having owned a Select, SEOTL, and Carina in the past I've come to the conlcusion that I need a little more power for my taste and listening habits. SS is great (particularly bass and overall ease of sound), but I'm returning to the tube ranks. I was cautiously looking at the I2 before I just learned it had been replaced. Cautious because I've never heard an EL34 integrated that I liked over the tube amps I've owned...but optimistic the Decware integrated carries the core family sound. The forums suggest that! I guess the next question would be if mono SE84C+s would be even better :) I have 98db Tekton Lores

Back to top

IP Logged

Steve Deckert Administrator If the 1st watt sucks why continue? Posts: 6454	Re: Comparison between Rachel and I.2 Reply #6 - 09/01/12 at 04:30:01 What is the impedance of the Lores?
Back to top	IP Logged

ZENCDUSER

Senior Member

Posts: 83

Re: Comparison between Rachel and I.2
Reply #7 - 09/04/12 at 21:53:16

Steve,
The Lores are 98bd at 8 Ohm. Eric at Tekton stated the impedance in the bass is generally 8, the upper freqs are around 5.5, with the highest impedance being around 18ohm at 1 khz. Also, a lot of his customers use various Decware amplification!

But now that you have the Super Zen coming I'm tempted to try that, since my last speaker with the Select was a pair of Forte 1s, which had a more complex crossover but sounded well with the Select

Back to top

IP Logged

Morganc Senior Member Posts: 87	Re: Comparison between Rachel and I.2 Reply #8 - 09/06/12 at 01:38:23 I had a pair of Lores with the Mini Torii and the results were spectacular. Amazing combo actually. Good luck on the decision .
Back to top	IP Logged

ZENCDUSER

Senior Member

Posts: 83

Re: Comparison between Rachel and I.2
Reply #9 - 09/06/12 at 04:56:21

Thanks Morgan. I've been running the Lores with a Dayens Ecstasy IIb integrated (big brother of their Ampino) with stunning sound. 70 watts SS, but with much of the tube qualities! The bass, tone, control, power, dynamics are something I dont want to be without again...but crave a little more tube (or tube like) magic and openness.

Back to top

IP Logged

ZENCDUSER

Senior Member

Posts: 83

Re: Comparison between Rachel and I.2
Reply #10 - 09/07/12 at 05:53:03

Morgan, what did you get rid of..the Lores or the Mini? I spoke with Steve today and perhaps the mini Torri would be best for me since I do not want to concede any bass extension or control. Another option is two mono Super Zens which will see 4 ohms (versus the Lores 8 ohms). I have another option: upgrade the Mundorf Mcap ZN capacitors (2) in the signal path of my integrated to Mundorf Supreme Silver in Oil. That may give me very close to what I want...while retaining that powerful deep bass and control. I'm familiar with their sound....which is stunning. Lush with detail and soundstage

Back to top

IP Logged

Morganc

Senior Member

Posts: 87

Re: Comparison between Rachel and I.2
Reply #11 - 09/07/12 at 18:21:12

I picked up the Lores from a friend locally and just wanted to hear what all the buzz was about. They were too small for my main rig so I had them in my bedroom with the Mini Torii and the sound was so nice in the small room. However, as I was and am still raising funds for a new home, I had to sell the Lores and I regretfully sold the MT also Sad

. Now I am looking to buy another, as it was a beauty with amazing tone and timbre.

Good luck on your choice. The mini tori is amazing. Another option would be adding a tube buffer into your system. I have one actually that could use a new home if you are interested, shoot me a pm.

Cheers,
Morgan

Back to top

IP Logged