The CSP3 is a tube preamplifier that does two things:
It makes your DAC sound better - like twice as good - and it makes your amplifier sound better - a lot better.
It does this because it has complete adjust-ability of both
the input and the output levels with the addition of a master
volume. This gives you complete control over dynamics and weight -
a luxury that virtually no system has. We think of it as almost a
necessity because when you hear the difference it makes, living without
it seems silly... and it is.
Of course those features are meaningless until you understand how good
Decware tube gear sounds and how well it is built. 100% USA parts
and labor, each one hand built by our artists with excellent karma and a
lifetime warranty.
Our
designs, circuits and implementation are not intended to hit a price
point. We simply make things sound as good as we know how, which is why this unit is still our only two channel preamp after 12 very successful years!
World Class OTL headphone amplification was actually what prompted this
design back in 2002 and a World Class reference headphone amp it is ~
giving you the fidelity and imaging of the very best boutique models.
Model CSP3 Line Level Preamplifier / Headphone Amplifier
QUICK DESCRIPTION
 The
CSP3 preamplifier/headphone amplifier features a 100% tube circuit that
is point to point wired with no circuit boards to improve both fidelity
and reliability. As a preamplifier, it can drive any amplifier large or
small, tube or solid state with perfect synergy every time ~ made
possible by it's adjustable output levels and master volume
control. As a headphone amplifier it is at home with almost all
headphones between 32 and 600 ohms.
Rear View - 2 pair of inputs - 1 pair of outputs - 1 mono output
QUICK LAYOUT
FEATURES
A) Locking 1/4 inch headphone jacks - one for each side.
Use either side or both. Optional XLR headphone jacks in dual 3 pin or dual 4 pin available.
B) Left and Right Headphone Calibration Controls.
These are used to calibrate the
master volume control so that your headphones don't get too loud, too
fast. Typically set so that the master volume control is half way
up at your normal listening level. They can also be used to adjust the balance between the left and right ears.
C) Left and Right Line Level Output Controls.
These
are used to dial in the gain of this preamp so that it is perfect with
any amplifier. You can adjust the outputs to between zero and six
volts. The trick to this is also simple. Just turn them all
the way down, turn on your amplifier, raise the master volume to around
half way up and then slowly adjust the output level controls to reach
your normal listening level. This guarantees a perfect match with
any amplifier regardless of it's input sensitivity and power.
These can also be used to adjust left/right balance between channels.
D) Left output Triode 6N1P-EB or 6922
This
is the work horse tube for the left channel. While it is a dual
triode, it is wired in series with itself to lower the output impedance
and improve transparency since the two halves of the tube no longer half to match.
E) Rectifier Tube - 5U4 or 5AR4 or 5Y3GT or some 274B
This
is the power supply tube that rectifies AC into high voltage DC.
Compatible with those listed above tube rectifiers have three
advantages; 1) They sound better 2) You can use different ones for
different signatures when voicing your unit 3) They protect the amp from
power surges. In extreme cases such as nearby lightening strikes
they will fail to save the preamp. Easy and inexpensive to
replace, they eliminate costly service and down time which is common
with solid state rectification.
F) Stereo Input Tube - 6N1P-EB or 6922 or 6DJ8
This
is the main tube for voicing the unit. It is a dual triode and
has both the left and right channels going through it. This makes
tube rolling quick and inexpensive when you get in moods to experiment
with the CSP3's sound.
G)
Right output Triode 6N1P-EB or 6922H
This
is the work horse tube for the right channel. While it is a dual
triode, it is wired in series with itself to lower the output impedance
and improve transparency since the two halves of the tube no longer half to match.
H) Master Volume
This
is the master volume control located near the front for ease of access
and only one inch away from the input tube which keeps the signal path
as short as possible. Optionally you can configure your CSP3 with a
gold contact stepped attenuator from within the shopping cart.
I)
Source switch
This
simply selects between two line level sources. It has silver
contacts and is located directly next to the volume control to eliminate
long signal paths. This is a purist way of having two
inputs. If you require more inputs, we sell a high quality switch
box that can be used to expand the inputs from two to five. Often
we'll run our best analog source directly into input A on the CSP3 and
input B is the switch box containing all of our digital sources.
OPTIONAL WOOD BASES
This amplifier is available with different wood bases shown below.
shown in standard walnut
shown in standard black figured base
shown in optional cherry (oak and maple are also available)
shown in optional exotic zebra wood (if we can get the wood, we can build the base in any exotic)
OPTIONAL KNOBS
ebony knob, gold knob, black chickenhead knob, cream chickenhead knob, walnut knob
INTERNAL OPTIONS
CSP3 Inside View
There are some internal options for the CSP3:
A) 20 position stepped attenuator to replace the smooth action volume control.
Stepped attenuators are not a necessary upgrade to hear the amazing fidelity of the CSP3.
B) Cryo Treated Beeswax Caps with silver leads.
These coupling capacitors are also not a necessary upgrade to hear the amazing fidelity of the CSP3.
C) Output level 0-6 volts or optionally 0-12 volts.
You would only need 0-12 volts with certain SUPER HARD TO DRIVE amplifiers like some SET amps that omit the first gain stage.
D) Dual Stereo Outputs
You can change the default mono output to a stereo output
giving you two pair of stereo output jacks. This is handy if you
run two amplifiers to power your speakers (Bi-amping).
E) Alternate headphone jacks
You can change the dual 1/4 inch headphone jacks to dual 3 pin or dual 4 pin XLR jacks to accommodate balanced headphone cables.
NOTE: All options can be configured and priced from within the shopping cart.
SUPPORT
This
amplifier is hand built in the USA by
DECWARE / High Fidelity Engineering C0. It comes with a lifetime
warranty to the original owner. If you purchase one second hand and
ever have questions or technical problems we WILL be happy to check it
out for you and service it if needed for a very reasonable rate.
We also
have a support forum
with
many people who own this amplifier who's experiences you may benefit
from.
REVIEWS
You may
read
reviews
on
our
products going back 10 years.
HISTORY of
REVISIONS
|
CSP /
Manufactured from 2002 to 2006
The original CSP featured a simple steel
chassis and internal output level controls. It was a line level
preamp only.
|
|
CSP2 / Manufactured from
2006 to 2010.
The second model featured an upgraded chassis, and a completely new
circuit featuring an OTL headphone output. Line level adjustments
became external and increased in max output by five times.
|
|
|
CSP2+
/
Manufactured
from
2010
to 2013.
This version has an added set of variable input trim controls
used to fine tune the output level from your source. Very useful
for serious headphone users as it allows you to get the volume range
dialed in where you want it. To accomplish this, a complete
redesign of the internal layout was implemented making this CSP2+ even
more transparent than before.
|
|
CSP3
/
Manufactured
from
2013
to present.
This version features the same great circuit in a completely new more
ergonomic and better sounding layout. A high mass powder coated
steel plate with black textured finish adds several pounds and the
improved layout makes it possible to offer the larger sized cryo treated
beeswax caps. Sonically this unit has improved transparency and
blacker backgrounds - two things that didn't need improving but simply happened as a result of the new layout.
|
This amplifier requires no adjustments or maintenance other
than changing tubes every couple years.
| Weight
|
|
16
lbs. ea.
|
| Dimensions
|
|
8.5"
H x 7.250" W x 14.75" D
|
| Circuit
type
|
|
Single
ended
Class
A
Triode
OTL
|
| Output
|
|
Adjustable
0
~ 6
volts or 0~12 volts
|
| Input
voltage
|
|
250mv
~
5.0
volts
|
| Noise
/
Hum
|
|
Less than 0.5 millivolts
|
| Input
Impedance
|
|
50
KOhms
|
| Output
Impedance
|
|
<
60 ohms
|
| Response
|
|
5 Hz
~ 70 kHz
|
| Feedback
|
|
ZERO
negative feedback used
|
| Rectification
|
|
5U4
tube
rectification
|
| Signal
tubes
|
|
6N1P-EB
or 6922 or 6Dj8
|
| Transformers
|
|
Transformers
custom
made
by
Decware
|
| Biasing
|
|
Self-Biasing
circuit
-
never
needs
adjustment
|
| Resistors
|
|
All
resistors are audiophile grade
|
| Signal
Cap
|
|
Audiophile
grade
poly
film caps
|
| Filter
Caps
|
|
All
filter caps are premium quality
|
| AC
cord
|
|
Fused
IEC
connector
provided
with
removable
power
cord
|
| Consumption
|
|
65
watts at full power
|
| Input
jacks
|
|
High Quality RCA
type 24K Gold / Teflon
|
| Output
jacks
|
|
High Quality RCA
type 24K Gold / Teflon
|
| Headphone
jack
|
|
High Quality dual 1/4
inch stereo jack or dual 3 pin XLR or dual 4 pin XLR
|
| Warranty
|
|
Lifetime
to
original
owner
/
90
days
on
tubes
|
VOLTAGES
This amplifier comes standard with our World Voltage Compatible
Transformer. Your CSP3 will be automatically wired for the correct
voltage for your country and be supplied with the correct removable
power cord.
DESIGN NOTES
Read original the CSP2 Design notes.
OWNERS MANUAL
The
owner manual can be viewed on line or printed: CSP2 Owners manual.pdf
CSP3 owner's manual
coming soon. Note: The only changes were to the layout and sound
quality. All features remain the same so the CSP2 owner's manual
can still be helpful while we wait for the CSP3 manual to be written.
We offer this
amp with a
30 day money
back trial
so you can
hear
one
in your own room!
Available in 120 or 240 volts.
|
