This is our 6 watt single-ended triode amp using the popular EL34 output tube.
Many people don't know this, but the EL34 is one of the only 8-pin audio tubes whose suppressor grid is not internally connected to the cathode.
This makes it possible to wire the tube as a true triode making SET amplification easier to own and use.
In production since 2000, this amplifier has evolved over these many years to become one of Decware's most popular amplifiers for it's many options and incredible sound.
For the first time since it's release this wonderful amp is bridgeable into mono using the Decware Series Floating Output Bridge that eliminates the typical smear you get when you combine the channels of stereo amplifiers. It also employs our new UFO wide-bandwidth output transformers.
 Also for the first time in this amp there are meters that turn your amplifier into a real-time tube tester! This lets you see at a glance if your tubes match and how strong they are.
Similar to the 2 watt amplifier that started Decware, this amplifier is designed with the purist in mind. It has only 1 capacitor in the
signal path. There is no feedback of any kind giving it a heavy dose
of the completely 3D imaging that Decware amplifiers are known for. This small SET amplifier breaks stereotypes with great bass and a very extended
top end!
 The SE34I.5 is an easy
amplifier
to
own because there is no maintenance and no bias pots to
adjust. Tubes last a long time in this amplifier ~ typically several years. There are no vent holes to
let dirt and dust contaminate the inside and there are no circuit
boards to crack or burn up. When you own one of these you can have piece of mind knowing we've got your back with a lifetime warranty.
Options can be selected from within the shopping cart.
This
amplifier features a chassis design using interchangeable solid-hardwood bases. You can select one from the samples shown below when you check out. Same deal with the knobs.
Top to Bottom: Maple, Cherry, Black, Walnut, Black Figured.
Left to Right: Ebony, Gold, Black Chicken head, Cream Chicken head, Walnut.
Shopping cart options explained:
TUBE OPTION
For people on a tight budget who already own premium-grade tubes there is the option to waive the 30 day trial and ship the amplifier without tubes at a reduced price.
6N2P OPTION
A 6N2P is a higher gain input tube that's kind of fun to have since it will sound completely different than the stock 6N1P/6922 compliment. When the option is selected, you get both the stock 6N1P and a 6N2P for each channel.
INPUTS OPTION
You can configure your amplifier with one, two, or four pair of inputs
for up to 4 sources.
Left to Right are Silver and Gold RCA jacks.
INPUT JACKS
We build our amps with the American made jacks shown above. The gold jacks come standard with the amp OR you can have one built with the silver jacks for a slight up-charge.
VARIABLE-OUTPUT OPTION
You may optionally add variable line-level outputs, one for each channel. These outputs can be used to
drive a second amplifier (bi-amping) or send a signal to a powered sub-woofer. Either way the signature of this amplifier right down to the tubes that are in it will be embedded into the line-level output. This creates a seamless blend between the amp and whatever it's paired with.
SIGNAL CAP OPTIONS
The amplifier comes standard with cryo-treated beeswax capacitors made in the USA by a company called Jupiter Condenser. We also have their copper foil version available for a slight up-charge.
VOLUME CONTROL OPTIONS
Single or Dual? We offer the amplifier with your choice of a single volume control that operates both channels or dual volume controls. Dual volume controls make it possible to adjust balance, whereas single volume control does not.
We also offer a 20-step 1% precision metal film attenuators with gold contacts
as an optional replacement for the stock volume controls. There is a big difference between having a smooth volume control with infinite adjustability and a attenuator with 20 large steps when it comes to adjusting volume levels. If for example, you had dual volume controls and used attenuators, your ability to adjust the balance between channels would be very crude which is to say that fine-tuning of channel balance would be impossible.
HEADPHONE JACK OPTION
We can install a custom headphone jack suitable to run planar or dynamic headphones although placement of the jack will depend on what options are installed. The headphone jack option is non-refundable.
 Shown with 807 output tubes (click image for larger picture)
The SE34I.5 is a very stable
amplifier capable of driving all high efficiency loudspeakers
because of it's transformer-coupled output stage. This creates a
hand-shake between the amplifier and the loudspeaker and protects the
speakers from DC voltages should a tube ever fail. Of course most
tube
amplifiers use output transformers, which tend to be the most expensive
single components in the amp. This is where many tube amplifiers fall
short opting to to impress you with low grade steel transformers that have to be twice as large to achieve the same bandwidth... All you know is they have really big transformers so you can see the marking in that. The more power the average tube amp has, the more likely it is to use
moderate quality transformers - at best.
Decware transformers were
designed and are built specifically and only for THIS amplifier here in the USA.
They
use the highest quality grain-oriented silicon-steel laminated cores
with exhaustive interleaving to produce the most phase coherent wide
bandwidth
possible. Our transformers have always been proprietary and are a
big
part of the secret behind the Decware sound.
In August of 2015 we took our already great output transformers to the next level developing what is known as the UFO (Ultra Fidelity Output) output transformers which are now included at no extra cost. These new models are capable of bandwidths reaching nearly 100 kHz and have adjustable HI / LO speaker impedance switches for each channel!
LO = 2 to 6 ohms and HI = 6 to 16 ohms.
VOLTAGES
This amplifier is optionally available with our world voltage compatible power transformers. If you live outside the USA, your amp will be automatically wired
and tested for the correct voltage of your country.
TUBES
This amp uses a pair of 6N1Ps driving a pair of EL34 output
tubes. You can
alternately use 6N2P, 6DJ8, 7DJ8 or 6922 in place of the
6N1P.
EL34 output tubes may be substituted with the following: KT77, 6550 KT66 KT88
6L6s, 7027 and with a socket adapter, 807.
Because this amp
has the Hazen Grid Mod that activates only when EL34s
are used, we
ship the amp with top grade EL34/6CA7s that have
been fully tested IN the amplifier. All tubes come with a 90 day
warranty.
BIASING
This
amplifier is self
biasing so you NEVER have to set or adjust the bias for the output
tubes.
IDEAL SPEAKERS
Compatible loudspeakers should be at least 90 dB efficiency.
On 90dB
speakers it works nicely in smaller rooms or for late night out of body
experiences. 94 to 96 dB speakers are ideal in that they let you
play beyond a normal listening level and preserve more dynamic
headroom. We also offer several
different types of
loudspeakers that will work with this amp.
If you
own speakers that
you love and are afraid this may not drive them
understand two things:
A) Most people report that it drove their speakers
louder than they were expecting and
B) a good tube preamp can
really turn this amp on giving you more volume before
clipping.
This
amplifier is hand built in the USA by
DECWARE / High Fidelity Engineering Co. 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.
You may
read
reviews
on
this
amp going back 12 years.
HISTORY of
REVISIONS
|
SE34-I
Manufactured from 2000 to 2004
The original Integrated featured 4 output tubes, each with their own
transformer making it ideal for bi-amping, but a little complicated for
some people's taste.
|
|
SE34I.2
Manufactured from
2004 to 2009.
The 4 output tubes were traded for 2 output tubes and 2 rectifiers
making the amp simpler to operate and giving it better
transparency. The power stayed the same.
|
|
SE34I.2+
Manufactured from
2009 to 2012.
The output tube section was upgraded with the Hazen Grid Mod pushing
the performance and fidelity of the EL34 beyond what any of us thought
possible. And the amp is now also compatible with KT77, KT88 and
6550 output tubes. | 
|
SE34I.3
Manufactured from
2012 to 2014.
This is where things obviously changed with the addition of meters and a
cleaner layout both internally and externally. Circuit remains
the same, power supply is simplified reducing heat and cost of operation.
|
|
SE34I.4
Manufactured from
2014 to 2015.
The top plate was changed from white painted
aluminum to black powder
coated steel adding considerable mass to the
chassis. These are
also now made standard with Cryo Treated Beeswax
Capacitors like all of the latest Decware amplifiers with black top
plates.
|
| SE34I.5
Manufactured from
2015 to now.
UFO output transformers become standard. |
| Weight
|
|
18 lbs. ea.
|
| Dimensions
|
|
8.0" H x 16.5"
W x 12.0" D
|
| Circuit type
|
|
Single ended
Class A Triode
|
| Power output
|
|
5.8 watts RMS into 8 ohms
|
| Input voltage
|
|
2.5 volts for
full output
|
| Noise / Hum
|
|
- 80 dB / -58 dB
|
| Response
|
|
20 Hz ~ 80kHz
|
| Feedback
|
|
ZERO negative
feedback used
|
| Rectification
|
|
5U4G or 5AR4 / tube
rectification
|
| Output tubes
|
|
EL34 or 6L6G or KT77 or
KT88 or 6550 or 807 with adapter
|
| Signal tube
|
|
6N1P, 6N23P, 6H1N, 6922, 6Dj8,7DJ8 or 6N2P
|
| Transformers
|
|
Decware
|
| Biasing
|
|
Self-Biasing
|
| Resistors
|
|
precision WW/MF
by DALE, VISHAY
|
| Signal Cap
|
|
Cryo-Treated Beeswax foil caps
|
| AC cord
|
|
Removable power
cord
|
| Consumption
|
|
85 watts at
full power
|
| Input jacks
|
|
RCA type 24K
Gold / Teflon
|
| Output
jacks
|
|
5-way
binding
posts
accept
8 gauge wire
|
| Speaker
dB/1w
|
|
89
dB
minimum
/
96
dB
or higher is
ideal
|
| Warranty
|
|
Lifetime
to
original
owner
|
RELATED
INFO
*
Taking advantage of the unique qualities of the EL34 this
amp comes standard with the Hazen Grid Mod. As a result, the
transparency and musicality of a triode wired EL34 is improved.
More
on
the
Hazen
Grid
Technology
(also
known
as
the
Christmas Comes Early
mod)
can
be
found
here and in our forums,
here.
SE34I.5 owner's manual
|
