Hey Steve,
An update:
When UPS brought the unit @3:00 on Thursday, I immediately unpacked it. It was so well packed the wrap job alone was worth purchasing the unit. Of course I had to plug it into the system right away and watch those bottles light up. My CD set-up was then plugged directly in-no preamp.
I tried to play small ensemble, high quality recordings so as not to push too much, too soon… Jobim’s Wave and Miles Davis’s Kind of Blue… FANTASTIC… full, smooth, detailed and effortless sound through my Zu’s. Made my little Tube Cube 7 sound well … little!
I started in on making pizza for supper for my wife. She wanted some Christmas music and so I have a Billboard’s Top 50 disc of Original Christmas Music: Jingle Bell Rock, Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree, Elvis’ Blue Christmas…. I will tell you though, you have not lived until you’ve heard he Chipmunk Song on your SE84 amp .. MAGNIFICENT!… lol.(My wife actually knew all the words, too)
On Friday I couldn’t help but hook up my CJ PV5 because I wanted to hear how LP’s would come off. Man-oh-man what a sound … the amp started to open up more with the pre in the signal chain.. the pre is rated at 2.5 volts (see attached Owners Manual) and was one of the top pre’s of its day:
https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Audio/80s/Audio-1984-08.pdf . Classical LP’s from Boston Pops, Philly Orch were full of color …huge … panoramic .. and detailed like “Panavision” for the ears. I said to myself “Self, it ain’t even broke in yet!”
On Saturday: My wife loves to shop and I was looking for a more extended listening session so in order to pursue my passion, I needed to encourage her to pursue hers. Needless to say this audio thing could get very expensive if I want to really sit and listen! The highlight of Saturday night was when I decided to crank it up at night as you suggested… 9:00 PM was as late as I could… The Philly Orch’s recording of Ravel’s Bolero .. the best on record. Huge, overwhelming, clear and detailed as a bell. The SE84 really acquitted itself well ... breathing with the recording.
I’ve come to the early conclusion that this is the best audio I’ve ever owned/had in my home and/or heard in anybody else’s home. Decware does not disappoint! …
I’ll be back…