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EQUIPMENT FORUMS >> SE84UFO25 >> Seeking some advice
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Message started by Estes on 03/13/25 at 20:43:32

Title: Seeking some advice
Post by Estes on 03/13/25 at 20:43:32

Hi everyone. Not sure if this is the proper forum, but seemed as good a place as any given the subject. I am struggling to make a decision, and I am hoping you all may help me find my way through. Apologies for the length…

I have 2 spots on the build list for a UFO25 and a CSP325. While waiting for my name to come up, I took a look at the classifieds to see if I could find something to tide me over. I figured I could sell whatever I find to help fund my future purchases. One of the forum members here was selling his UFO 2.1 with level 2 anniversary mods. I quickly connected, made the purchase, and sent it in for recertification. I have enjoyed it for about a year, and needless to say, the sound is pretty good 😃

Here is the rest of my setup:
Klipsch Heresy IV's
Cambridge MXN10 streamer
Denafrips Pontus 2 DAC
Samsung Blu-ray player as CD transport
Rega P8 with MC (forthcoming… current P3)
Sutherland 20/20 phono stage (forthcoming…current Schitt Mani 2)
My cabling and power cords are a mix of Decware and Audio Quest.
My room is multi-purpose so it is not dedicated with any sound treatments. Not super high end gear by any means, but it's a work in progress.

I heard a pair of Klipsch La Scala's a few months ago, and was completely taken by them. The look, the mid-range, everything. Quite an emotional connection to the music. I don't have the space or the budget currently, but I want to have a pair of these speakers someday. I have no idea when that will be.

I have read that some people have a hum issue with these speakers paired with the UFO25 at 105db. There was a pretty extensive thread on it here about a year ago. I emailed Steve as I was thinking of possibly changing to the Sarah 300B. He advised a cap at 99db with the Sarah if I didn't want to hear hum, and suggested the SE341.6 as the Sarah was based on it and designed for speakers over 100db.

I haven't heard these amps in person and, unfortunately, a trip for a listening session or Decfest is probably not in the cards. So this is my quandary. I'm not sure what to do. I may add something here and there, but this will be the center of my system. I am viewing this purchase as an end game so I was primarily looking at one of the Decware signature pieces. It's a long time to wait, and don't anticipate getting back on the list after this purchase. Is it foolish to make a decision now based on speakers I might have in the future?

One option is to keep the order as is and roll the dice on possible issues with La Scalas if I ever get them.
I could also swap the UFO25 and order the SE341.6, and keep the CSP325 placeholder. That would ensure having the right power and amp if I go up the Klipsch Heritage line. Is there a sonic sacrifice there?
Hell, I have even thought about changing my order to a Sarah and a ZROCK3 and go in a new direction speaker wise. Who knows what will happen with time?

Steve has been great and gave me the info I need. Now I just need to make a decision and I am waffling. Any suggestions? am I thinking too much? (Entirely possible)
Thank you in advance

Title: Re: Seeking some advice
Post by CAJames on 03/13/25 at 21:52:38

I’ll give you my opinion(s) with the understanding they are very much FWIW/YMMV. My first thought is you should contact Herbert Kelly, who started the thread below yours. He has a UFO25 and La Scalas and might be very helpful. He also hasn’t been on the site in over a month so no guarantee he would see your message.

For me I love my ‘25s and they are almost inaudible with my 95ish dB speakers. I seriously doubt hum would be an issue with speakers 10 dB more efficient. My totally unscientific impression based on other posts over the years is there seems to be a fairly wide range of hum from the amps, with a small number of people saying it is excessive even after sending it back to Steve to confirm it is within specs. Whether that is due to factors unique to them, like their power or just a setup that is more sensitive is hard to say. If it were me I wouldn’t want to be without my UFO25s and would choose speakers that are optimized for them. If you have your heart set on La Scalas at some point in the indefinite future I would get the UFO25 today and cross the La Scala bridge when you get there.

Title: Re: Seeking some advice
Post by Estes on 03/14/25 at 01:24:21

Appreciate your response, and I did drop a note to Herb. You are right of course, and that is where I am leaning. Go with my initial order and figure it out on the other side. Big money and big purchases for me, and I don't want to feel like I have made a mistake if that makes sense. You ever feel like you just want all the toys?? That's how I feel ;D

Title: Re: Seeking some advice
Post by Gilf on 03/14/25 at 05:30:18

I will second CA’s recommendation for the 25’s. Full disclosure, I have not paired Decware amps with any speakers over 100db sensitivity. I have paired many Decware amps with speakers ranging from 95-99 db, including the UFO, SV83 mono blocks, the 25th, and a variety of zkit builds. I also recently became the owner of the Sarah. Aside from the 300b, the hum has ranged from dead silent to barely noticeable. The Sarah with my current 97db speakers is borderline intolerable. During quiet solo instrument tracks the hum is quite apparent between notes. However, the 6p15p/EL84 circuits seem to be a better fit and such good sound quality I don’t think it can be beat, especially if you go for the full anniversary mods. I can’t speak for the Rachel but if Steve recommends it I would trust his judgement - I just can’t imagine you would need the extra power though with 100db+ speakers.