The Zen Taboo employees a
unique circuit design that is unlike any other tube amplifier in the
world.
The Taboo uses a specially
designed output stage using our world class output transformers to effect
imaging so benchmark some are saying it may even surpass our single ended triode
amps!
It
has a switch that allows you to change the signature of the amp
on the fly while you listen.
The amp was sent without
this switch to a large
group of SET owners around the country who confirmed the amps outstanding
performance. They all heard it in its "Standard Mode". None of them were told
about "lucid mode".
This was done
to ensure the amp in it's normal configuration was on par with our
other fine amplifiers first, and it certainly was that!
Lucid mode is activated with
a switch (A) to transform the output stages and corresponding feedback networks
into an interactive synergy that divorces the music from your speakers and the
boundaries of your room.
The best example
of what happens when you flip this switch is to describe the experience
one would have when they A/B a $700 pair of speakers with a $17,000
pair of speakers and notice a dramatic improvement
in imaging and sound stage. But even that doesn't completely
capture it.
When you have your Taboo in
Lucid mode you will have a hauntingly present image that ignores boundaries and
floats through your room as though it had a mind of it's own. So coherent and
relaxed that your ears and mind simply let go and succumb to the music. It's
as though the music became alive. It's an
experience that will make you late for work the next day. And frankly just a
lot of fun to be able to go back and forth between the two modes.
We always said the only thing better then one amp is two.
That way when you get tired of one you can listen to the other
and visa versa. You can find out more about it in my Design Notes on the Taboo.
-Steve Deckert / Decware
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