Steve Deckert has a good article on the 'speed' of systems on his website that make a lot of sense.
I have fooled around with sources with this amp and if you want to hear the difference between CD players, no better time to do it than with a Zen amp and efficient speakers.
A portable CD player sounds ok, up to its own "6" volume setting, then clips the Zen amp after that with its ragged output. The bass is not full and complete and satisfying from this player.
The EAD cd player I have has 2 very satisfying and musical volts output, and a great full range sound but sometimes not enough output to clip the amp.
The Monarchy 22c I'm trying has a huge output (between 3 and 6 volts from the fixed output, depending on an internal jumper setting), and the sound is GREAT!
In a small room there is some serious music making going on. The very controlled high output from this DAC makes it easy on the amp, I am guessing.
Thanks to the poster below for the link to the folded horn speaker.
There are lots of do it yourself kits around for speakers like this.
Other options are the Klipsch new RB-5 and RF-3 and RP -3 (powered) which I hear from their reviews sound great with the amp.
And there is Deckert's own DYI speaker which I haven't seen any reviews of (besides from him of course).
Enjoy (and don't neglect the source!)

stunningly musical, low level resolution

power

There is nothing like living the experiance of the music through a set amp. And this little amp is very special. It can truely compete with amps costing much, much more.... and is far more musical than most.... I'm using it with a pair of Audio Concepts Sapphires, Kimber IC, Audioquest cable... no preamp.. several front ends, Modified(heavily) Marantz 67se, DVD out of HT, Camelot etc.. oh well .... bottom line ... I have yet to hear an amp under 2k retail that can compete with this little SET amp provided you have an efficient speaker(90db+) and keep your signal path clean and simple.

Similar Products Used:

no other SET's, But several push-pulls cj,vtl, modified dyna's etc. Also Haffler, Carver, Adcom Solid state YUCK!

musicality, tone, price,

accepts only one input

I recently purchased, through a combination of internet research, innocence and good luck, a well under $2,000 system that I truly love: it consists of:

Decware Zen Triode SE84C tube amp ($499)
Ah! Tjoeb99 CD player with tube output stage ($470)
Handmade Decware silver interconnects ($ 79)
Klipsch RF-3 98db sensitivity speakers ($539)
Kimber 4pr speaker cable terminated with ($ 39)
gold plated banana plugs ($ 16)

total price: ($1,642)

The heart and soul of the system is the little Zen amp. I was lucky because the cd player and speakers arrived first and I hooked them up to my old denon ss amp. It sounded good, much clearer, individual notes and instruments better defined and separated, than my old set up. I was even a bit afraid that I had maxed out; that when the Zen arrived it wouldn't add much. I was so wrong. Though the little thing looks like an eddie munster science project, it kicks ass!!

With the sensitive Klipsch speakers it gives both a clear, well defined, utterly musical sound and delivers tons of punch and volume. The bass response is great, vocals and acoustic guitars sound, if you close your eyes, like the performer is right there (except I know Nick Drake is dead)
electronic music (like the Notwist) sounds fantastic. Jazz (Stan Getz, John Coltrane) saxophone so real, crisp yet full of that fuzzy cool tone. Guitar rock music (built to spill, galaxie 500) sounds better than I could have imagined. I cannot say how classical sounds because I do not listen to it. I don't know the correct snobby terms to descibe the sound; it fact i would say its indescribable. But after a very quick listen I knew I had struck gold.

My advice to anyone looking into this amp and worrying about power is to get sensitive speakers and go for it. The amp is a jewel. I love it. I am listening to music 5 or 6 hours a day now! I should also say that the boss-man of Decware, Steve Deckert is a very good guy to talk with, patient and helpful. For value, this should get a million stars, for overall 4.9999999 (nothing is perfect, right?), but since I can't give that, I'll give it a 5 on both

Similar Products Used:

none really, my previous amp was a Denon integrated transistory amp

Unbeatable value; low maintenance; tubes are easily obtainable and low cost

a little disappointing on bass; can achieve full performance only on high efficiency speakers

The model I have is the Zen SE84C. You absolutely cannot go wrong with one of these amps. Even with lower efficiency speakers, the 5 watts per channel from this unit will surprise you with their volume. The bass output is weaker than what I like, but I was cautioned to expect this with a single ended triode amp. Perhaps an upgrade in speakers will go a long way in boosting the bass. There are no other negatives to speak of. Before deciding to purchase the Zen, I called Steve Deckert and he patiently answered every single question I had about the amp. He is a super nice guy, very easy to deal with, and he has the added bonus of having an amp to be extremely proud of. To everyone out there who still has any doubts about the Zen SE84C (this is the only one I have experience with), let me assure you that all of the positive reviews aren't just a bunch of hype. This amp works, and it works very well indeed. I can confidently say that you will not find a better amp anywhere for twice the price. Go for it!

The best-sounding, most musical amp I've heard. Clarity, detail, depth and dynamics far exceeded my expectations.

MINOR shortcomings in documentation and packaging.

First, let me start off by saying I did all the things advised by Steve Deckert NOT to do. He makes it clear that this kit is NOT for beginners. I chose this to be my first kit, with the exception of a crystal radio I built that DIDN'T work.
Having made that clear... I figured that with an instruction manual, I'd find my way through it. I was surprised to find the kit comes with no instruction manual.
Steve is kind enough to post an on-line instruction manual. I figure this will be fine, then I find the on-line manual is detailed, and comes with plenty of photos...BUT...there were a couple of revisions in the kit since the manual was posted, and the photos didn't depict the parts I was given to work with.There were a couple of black and white photos of an assembled newer kit...ever try to follow leads of a specific color when looking at a black and white photo?
I used bits and pieces of the on-line manual, and then figured I'd finish it up using the schematic. When done, my amp didn't look nearly as neat as the photos, but it was time to plug it in...BOY, was I amazed when I saw those tubes glow !!! BOY, was I amazed when I hooked up speakers and there was NO OUTPUT ! ( I missed one B+ wire).
I installed the missing wire, stuffed everything into the case like pork into a sausage casing, and hooked it up.
NOW FOR THE IMPORTANT PART OF THE REVIEW !!
This amp is AMAZING. Listening to music I was very familiar with revealed subtleties I never knew were there.Bass was clean,tight and very well defined.Imaging is excellent.
It's been running about 4 hours now, and I swear it gets better sounding as the hours pass.It has done great things for my Klpsch Heresys.
Steve Deckert has done a wonderful job...I can only imagine how it would sound had I assembled it correctly

Transparency, balance, energy

Transparency, so you will hear all your system, good and bad
Very long breakin period

This amplifier is a wonderful product, in my opinion. For over three years I lived with the first amplifier and the first revision of the amplifier, and this amplifier is a clear and marked improvement on a product that I had been very satisfied with.

The Select will present the music to you with an appealing fullness and drive. One can listen at lower volumes and get a rich sound, a big plus in my estimation. There are so few items in the signal path and no push pull manipulation; you really get a sense that you are listening to music, first and foremost. If you are just listening to cd, and your cd player is up to the task, you can run the player directly into the amplifer (there is a gain adjustment knob) and really experience fast and clean sound. There is a soundstage that will delight, and clear images of instruments. I have never experienced audio like this in my home before.

A long breakin period is a reality with this machine. I have had mine for seven weeks now. I have heard the amplifier go through a metamorphosis! About four weeks ago it started to sound really good and it has been sounding really good ever since. . . it may still be breaking in, in which case I think I will just be happier in the future! But don't expect it to sound its best the second day.

The previous amplifier I enjoyed had one fault: it needed a bit more bass with my speakers. This Select version has the bass I was missing and also more "speed"---I know I could get a more powerful amplifier, but not necessarily a better one. Won't be changing amplifiers soon.

The one caveat I would offer: use this amplifer with good source and speakers. It will let you hear all that your system is doing. If you have something not up to snuff in the chain, you will know it. If you change the stand or footers you put the equipment on you will hear it. If you change a cable you will hear it. Can get maddening if you are prone to audiophile nervosa! //:0)

I have always had excellent dealing with Decware, though I do find that email responses are much slower these days, and I have one correspondent report some less than satisfying results. Overall I think these are fine folk to do business with, and I was mightily impressed with their products three plus years ago and remain very impressed with the products. This is one to try. You have to be careful with speakers, but then again I am using Bose 10.2 speakers bought at an estate sale ridiculously cheap, and getting glorious sound, so you won't be crippled in your choices if you don't need earbleeding volume.

Similar Products Used:

Decware's very first amp, and then the Revision A modification added; had this for over three years.

I wrote a review of the DECWARE Zen Triode amplifier approx 6 months ago. at the time I was straightfoward and adament -- (buy this amp) Well since that time I have upgraded my cables to silver and the difference is an upgrade that only showcases the quality of this amp. I am now using Audiodyne multipath interconnects and SWGConnections single strand silver cable. Not only does the amp run cooler, it plays louder and with an improvement of all that makes this amp good. So ensure when buying this amp, the quality of the interconnects is also important to the sound.

In brief, I have had the Zen amp for 1 year now. This $500 item has replaced a $2000 VTL tube amp and a $1500 Audio Synthesis Passion passive preamp, for a substantial improvement in sound.
System essentials:
ProAc Response 1sc
CAL Icon MkII HDCD
Cardas Golden Cross interconnect and biwire spkr cable

Compared to the 80watt VTL amps that it replaced, it is cleaner, faster, more detailed, has more extended highs, more tuneful and deeper bass, images better, is less fatiguing, and has a richer harmonic structure. The only place the VTL scores is on ultimate bass slam. I sold my amps the day after hearing the Zen.

Concerning volume, the ProAc's play loud enough for me say 95% of the time. But I listen at moderate levels. I am looking for more sensitve speakers, but it's not urgent.

Build quality is adequate. My one complaint is that the RCA jacks and spkr binding posts worked loose, and the unit is so compact that it's hard to tighten them.

In sum, a great product, and one that makes the expensive components irrelevant.

Soundstage
Bass Dynamics
Midrange clarity
Ease and coherence of sound

Low power requires 92db or above speakers

My amp is the Zen Select C-S version, which I bought used after carefully reading everything I could find, including the informative and entertaining DecWare website. There are several audio press reviews, but none yet on the Select version, which DecWare claims offers the sonic quality of their twice the price mono version Zen amp. I had considered holding out to buy the Monoblock amp because my speakers though 98dB sens. are a bit demanding on SET type amps due to a 5ohm impedance. Now that I took the chance and bought the Zen C-S amp rated for a mere 5 watts (or less), I'm glad I didn't wait. What makes this tiny, actually miniscule, amp so amazing is that it performs best with lower impedance rated speakers. This in contrast to typical SETs, which mate best with anything over 8ohms. Here I thought is a tube amp run single-ended (albeit with pentode SV83 output tubes) that can handle the real-world load of moderately sens speakers (DecWare recommends 90+ sens).

I've owned the amp for less than one week and I already love it. It has been completely trouble free and is exactly what I was looking for to complete my system. Why do I like this amp so much? If you've ever heard a really good SET amp, you'd understand because despite the conventional wisdom-- that an amp must be expensive to be SE--this baby has that midrange magic and it has the speed plus extension in the low frequencies to produce tuneful bass. I am completely blown away by the huge soundstage that it produces allied with very good instrumental separation.

It is possible that I have just found an extremely fortunate match for my wonderful Brentworth Type I speakers (www.brentworth.com) because, while sounding quite good on another 4ohm speaker with a mere 94dB sens, the combination just wasn't in the same league as when mated to the Brentworths which just seem to thrive on the amp. So, needless to say this one is keeper.

Its sonics are relaxed and tuneful, with great pace. Resolution is just short of what's possible by the big buck SET amps, but smart cabling helped add some transparency to the sound. I have already rolled the stock input tube with a Tele 6922 to bump up the transparency and now use the high bias position exclusively.

I couldn't be happier to recommend this amp from a company that is doing so much to make quality sonics more affordable by all. Check out the Brentworths too if you're looking for another unsung product in that category. 5 stars!

Similar Products Used:

heard SET amps by Cary and Wavelength

Very detailed and musical

None, maybe spaeker Matching

These Amps are so nice I had to order the SV83 Signatures.
This is my review of the pair of SE84B's I purchased in 99 until the Siganatures came out. All great stuff!

DATE: March 7,1999

I would like to start off by explaining in part why I purchased 2 Zen SE84b Amps. I was directed to Steve’s site by a contributor in one of the forums on the Soundstage Audio Site. After reviewing the site and absorbing Steve’s philosophy on sound and giving pictorial descriptions of these ideas, I decided this guy has got something going here. So I purchased the 2 Zen SE84b Amps.

Well now, maybe the women know something us guys don’t. My wife commented how much better she liked these. I agreed of course. They started out a bit compressed but very detailed. The clarity, inner detail, rhythm and pace came out. They were really jaw dropping.

The third day I had them I must have played 30 CDs of various music I had been very familiar with. I could not believe what I was hearing. The detail, presentation, and ambiance were there as I have never heard in these recordings. The amps were opening up. I have heard various SETs (all very expensive and fancy too) before but not in my system. These really do compare to the sound quality of equipment costing many times over in price. I recently had people over and comments like “I have never heard music like that before” were made.

So this is the sound that the transistor guys have been after for the last 30 years. They still don't have it. Most of this relates to CD sound. CD sound tends to be a bit crisp, bright, and generally aggressive and annoying in various degrees. Not with these amps. They are detailed and smooth, with much depth and width--a very different presentation than a transistor amp. Shall I dare say more realistic. Drum skins and cymbals in vivid detail. Everything is dependent on your choice of speakers and efficiency. I am using Coincident Triumph Grand Signatures at 90db and rated minimum at seven watts. More than enough volume to fill my 11’X10’ room.

I have been into audio since the late 70s and never heard it so good in my system. It is an outstanding product and a worthwhile purchase. Now to check into that Pre amp Steve is working on.