Ever wonder what it would be like to have too much money? You can read posts like this at Audiophiletalk.com and post your comments. Apparently this gear is so good it does not require power or cables!

Always a sucker for the sincere but broke audiophile who likes to solder, Steve has come up with a way to own a real SE84C Zen Triode amplifier for under 300 bucks!  Using the same circuit, components and proprietary transformers make it’s sound almost identical to our production models!   Here’s the link to the new kit!    SE84CDIY

Enjoy!

Chassis for the new Zen amp were completed this week and I thought I’d give you a sneak peek!  I hope to have time in the next week to finish the first unit.  Then it’s on to the web site and people can start ordering again!

Production stopped on the original grey Zen amp (model SE84C)  after hitting number #1000.  With each one hand built the old-school way it only took 10 years, but have no fear this audio classic is not about to go away!  I’m excited to report that the amplifier has been improved for the next 10 year run!  The chassis has been stretched to accommodate the now standard world voltage compatible power transformer (which is larger) and the thickness of the steel chassis has doubled (and so the weight).  The volume control has been moved to the front and an extra set of input jacks has been added to accommodate two sources!  With a gloss black powder coat and vintage volume knob the amplifier maintains it’s classic appearance in a more attractive finish.  Internally the amplifier remains identical to it’s predecessor, because you really can’t improve something that is already perfect!

-Steve Deckert / Decware

It’s almost ironic to consider using digital equipment to manufacture good old analog tube gear!  Nevertheless I’ve seen it happen in my own shop over the years for a variety of reasons.  The picture above is my test bench where everything we build is tested and or troubleshot during the Quality Control process.  This bench is in the QC room adjacent and open to our large reference room where everything is listened to in a real environment as it is being tested.

A guy came in my shop the other day, new to Decware, and after looking around made a comment that he expected to see (more…)