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https://www.decware.com/cgi-bin/yabb22/YaBB.pl AUDIO FORUMS >> Reviews >> Zen Triode Amplifier / Zu Audio Speakers https://www.decware.com/cgi-bin/yabb22/YaBB.pl?num=1576083274 Message started by Steve Deckert on 12/11/19 at 16:54:34 |
Title: Zen Triode Amplifier / Zu Audio Speakers Post by Steve Deckert on 12/11/19 at 16:54:34 Quote:
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Title: Re: Zen Triode Amplifier / Zu Audio Speakers Post by Don Vito on 01/17/20 at 18:22:02 Set up: Speakers: Zu Audio Omen MKII DW's. Amp: Decware SE84UFO Pre: Conrad Johnson PV5 CD: Cambridge CXC Transport/Schiit Modi 3 Delta Sigma From my backyard: Decorative "Magic Rock" to stabilize Modi 3 (LOL) LP: Systemdek IIX 900, Profile Arm/Signet AM50 Cart Tuner: Luxman TU110 Interconnects: Homebrew Mogami Neglex 6 weeks: The above previous review was the email I sent Steve right after taking delivery of the SE84UFO in early December. Now I'm 6 weeks in and have observations. i) The SE84UFO has exceeded my expectations. 2) My low watt/high efficiency set up would not be possible and/or as musically satisfying without the Zu speakers. 3) Combining some of my older elements with the up to date, refined but even older "Back To The Future" approach of both Steve Deckert at Decware and Sean Casey at Zu has brought a new level of audio excellence to me after almost 60 years of listening. Together the amp and speakers form a synergism of open clarity, natural timbres, spatial ques, dynamic range and frequency response unlike any system I've ever heard because of the amp design which extends to both ends of the audio spectrum with fuller dynamics and the single point source of the Zu driver. The speakers allow the amp to breath with the music dynamically and the sound to arrive at your ear in a more natural way ... all of it in much the way live sound does in 3D! Digital or LP, recordings from the 50's up to the present all are giving me micro detail I've not heard in them before. It's almost like buying new records and CD's. Take Five/Brubeck, Boston Pops, Philly Orch and really any recording made with vacuum tube recording equipment sounds so open and natural as they were intended to. Later, solid state multi-track recordings remain very musical and listenable and the latest digital recordings take on a very analogue character. I can hear all the minute differences in all these recodings from different eras but all have become very listenable. Steve advises taking "The Zen Experience" and wait until late at night when ambient noise is low and let some favorite recordings rip! I did this last night with The Eagles 'Til Hell Freezes Over, Miles' Kind of Blue, and Four Play's Greatest Hits CD's and LP's:Philly Orch's American in Paris, Boston Pops/Earl Wild's Gershwin's Piano Concerto in F and Tony Bennett's Greates Hit's Vol.II Across all genre's and decades my system has gotten me closer to the "you are there, true to life sound" than anything I've heard in an "in home" audio system over these many years. I bow to the courage and sagacity of guys like Steve and Sean Casey who have fought the industry hype and propaganda of decades to deliver far superior audio and ...at practical, reasonable prices to the consumer. Don Vito ... |
Title: Re: Zen Triode Amplifier / Zu Audio Speakers Post by Falconartist on 05/25/21 at 06:50:20 Thanks for the step by step tutorial. Works like a charm! The solution worked for me thanks to the community and the members for the solution. |
Title: Re: Zen Triode Amplifier / Zu Audio Speakers Post by Mike Hughes on 08/02/22 at 22:21:17 I’ve 16ohm Zu Soul Superfly. I believe the Omen DW are 8ohm. I’m inclined towards the SE84UFO 25th anniversary but is that going to be enough to power my Zu? I’ve a vague recall of reading that Sean Casey says not. As I’m in the UK I don’t want to add myself to the very long list of eager buyers and find I’ve made an expensive mistake. Thoughts? I’ve emailed Zu and they reckon 1 restricts the dynamic ceiling. Thoughts? |
Title: Re: Zen Triode Amplifier / Zu Audio Speakers Post by armstdav on 08/18/22 at 20:31:07 I used an earlier set of Zu Druids with an Almarro A205, which has similar power output to the SE84 and also uses the EL84 tube. Sounded great at low volumes but I was moving from an AudioSector Patek and the Almarro just ran out of steam way too early. Next was an SE34i.2+ (forerunner of the Rachael) which sounded even better than the Almarro and had more headroom but still wasn't quite stiff enough for the 70s prog rock I love to crank. I lucked into a package deal on a Torii Mk IV and a set of Druid Vs, and that's when the Decware magic was evident. Those 10" FRDs really seem to like a bit of power behind them, and the bass grip of the Torii exceeded even that of the Patek or the Monarchy SM-70s that I had before. Bottom line is for the music I listen to at the volume levels I sometimes run, the SE84 and SE34 amps weren't nearly as good as the Torii. Monoblocks of either of those might change the equation. Hope this helps. David |
Title: Re: Zen Triode Amplifier / Zu Audio Speakers Post by Mike Hughes on 09/09/22 at 21:58:43 Thanks. I’m not especially looking for volume. Any other views? |
Title: Re: Zen Triode Amplifier / Zu Audio Speakers Post by Bilyeaux on 10/16/22 at 14:57:32 I have been breaking my 2.1 in now for almost a year and it is fantastick. My PS Audio S300 SS amp is big time second string back up, and it still sounds good, just not as good as my UFO! I listen to most music; classical, classic Jazz, smooth Jazz, ambient, vocals, piano, blues, and rock. I typically listen in the 50-80 Dbl range (per phone app). And can take to low 90’s with barley registering movement on meters, so still some room before clipping levels. I just don’t desire to play over this level. Amp is awesome and perfect for me and my setup. The Heresy are great, but the Omegas are better. |
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