What did you do to your stereo rig today?
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Deckert certainly has a high opinion of himself and his wares.
Full disclosure, I started in SE amplifiers with his (then) cheap little "Zen" EL84/SV83 amp. It is really (really) low powered but it did (and still does) sound pretty good. Not really enough oompf for full-range use driving a pair of Klipsch Cornies... umm... Cornwalls, though.
DSC_0339 by Mark Hardy, on Flickr
Deckert's stuff sort of caught on. It's actually pretty decent stuff, but his hype grated on me pretty quickly, and most of their wares now are... umm... not inexpensive.
I (we, actually) built a pair of Bottlehead Paramour SE 2A3 monoblocks ("Paramours") when they first came out and have never looked back.
The "Zen" amp's in its shipping box in the basement.
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Yea, they are a little enthusiastic over there, but after giving their preamp a good once over, (well, at least the best I can over the internet) I felt it carried itself on it's own merits and is the probably well worth the money I spent on it. Please bear in mind, I was about ready to drop more than twice as much as I spent on the CSP3 on a Cary SLP-98. But after deeming my degraded ears unworthy (after years of abuse, they're just plain shot) of the SLP's price tag, I came across the Decware and felt it fit the bill. FWIW, I think they offer a pretty good phono stage also but I just recently acquired a Parks Audio Budgie and performs quite well.
As far as amps go, yes, some time in the future, I'm probably going to try a SET type setup. I'm kind of thinking of some bridged Zen monos as Decware has various versions ranging from five to six watts. I agree the stereo versions are a little on the low powered side. I much rather have a watt or two more than just two.
Also Decware sells speakers and a few caught my interest. Albeit, I know nothing about them nor do I know anybody that has any experience with them. I, at least, met a couple people who have CSP2 preamps and each thought highly of their build quality and performance.
Now, I've known a few people who had 2A3 amps. One had a Sun stereo amp, one had a pair of Cary monos and another had a DIY stereo amp. I liked all three rigs. Two had their amp(s) powering Altecs and the other has his amp powering full range Lowthers in custom baffled enclosures. I liked the horn/big woofer setup of the Altecs slightly more than the Lowther setup. I could live with either though. The Lowther setup had a smaller footprint and space is a luxury in the basement that I, and my stereo, are exiled to. My rig has a WAF of zero. Another acquaintance has a pair of Klipsch LaScala's driven by a rebuilt/modded(?) Dynaco ST35. That's a nice sounding rig also. Now Decware doesn't make 2A3 amp but they do have a 25 wpc EL84 (maybe SV84) based amp. But then again, LaScalas are a pretty large speaker and space is a premium in my basement. But if I'm going to get SET amps, why not go with triode tubes rather than an amp that utilizes pentodes wired with a triode configuration.
So, at this point, I'm leaning toward a pair a 2a3 based monos (I see you have 2a3 based monos and I have those Bottleheads under consideration) and Lowther type speakers in a baffled enclosures. I'll probably mull over this for the next year or two before I pull the trigger. So I have a little time to think and do some research over it.Decware CSP3 Preamp, RCA 6DJ8, 2 X Rocket 6N1P-EV's, Cary SLA70B Signature V2 Amplifier: 2 X Mullard GZ32's, 2 X RCA/GE 5691's, 4 X Tung-Sol 6550's
Cambridge Audio 640C V2 CD Player & Dacmagic DAC
Rega Planar 3: Deep Groove Subplatter, P3 Motor
upgrade, Dynavector 10x5, JA Michell counterwieght, Cardas tonearm wiring and Mapleshade stand
Parks Audio Budgie Hybrid Phonostage with BEL 6922 tubes, Polk Audio LS70's
H.H. Scott 330D AM/FM Tuner with H.H. Scott 335 Multiplex adaptor. -
To ignite I got to demo my rig for Al(Scubalab) and his daughter. It was a high honor to meet him and shake his hand.The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD
“When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson -
Velodyne DD+ 10.......completely insane!!!
Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
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Changed to a Wireworld Starlight USB cable. Nice upgrade for not a lot of bucks.
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Jesse got a subwoofer? The world IS coming to an end as AOC has predicted!The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD
“When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson -
He has had multiple subs AFAIK. It's not for the rig you are thinking of....
That one has no need for any subs at all.
Tom~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~ -
Turned it on. Left it on. It's still on
.listening to Marvin Gaye Lets Get It On. Right on! 😎
"if it's not fun, it's not worth it & remember folks, "It's All About The Music"!!
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nooshinjohn wrote: »Jesse got a subwoofer? The world IS coming to an end as AOC has predicted!
Naaw, he got a green subwoofer, I am sure. Runs off of sunlight and stores CO2 with every thump. -
Green......ummmmm, NO!Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
Jesse > Liberal agenda
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yeah,I guess it's hard to use photovoltaics when one only comes out at night...
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Oh -- on topic -- Mrs. H's been birding in Minnesota and North Dakota this week. I spent some quality time cleaning and organizing the hifi room (in between myriad outdoor tasks and chores). It doesn't really look much different, but it feels better to me.
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The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD
“When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson -
mhardy6647 wrote: »Oh -- on topic -- Mrs. H's been birding in Minnesota and North Dakota this week. I spent some quality time cleaning and organizing the hifi room (in between myriad outdoor tasks and chores). It doesn't really look much different, but it feels better to me.
Lucky guy. I wish my wife would go away once and a while, and take the boys with her! Sometimes I think life would be grand if I were a hermit. Not that I'd want them to disappear permanently or anything. -
mhardy6647 wrote: »Oh -- on topic -- Mrs. H's been birding in Minnesota and North Dakota this week. I spent some quality time cleaning and organizing the hifi room (in between myriad outdoor tasks and chores). It doesn't really look much different, but it feels better to me.
It's like having a clean car. Adds 10 hp! -
5 more on a sunny day.
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mhardy6647 wrote: »Oh -- on topic -- Mrs. H's been birding in Minnesota and North Dakota this week. I spent some quality time cleaning and organizing the hifi room (in between myriad outdoor tasks and chores). It doesn't really look much different, but it feels better to me.
It's like having a clean car. Adds 10 hp!
I washed both cars today
I don't wash the truck. The dirt helps hold the body panels in place.
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Picked up this Vincent SP-331 a week and a half ago. In fact Mike @02guy found it on CL in Asheville for a screaming deal! So Russ @lightman1 Mike and I split the price in thirds.
Todays the first time I've had a chance to hook it up and enjoy it. I'm warming it up nicely.2ch rig: Speakers: Magnepan LRS w/Magna Riser stands Preamplifier: Parasound P5 Amplifier: Parasound A23 CDP: Pioneer DV-563A Cables: Wireworld Equinox 7 XLR ICs, Wireworld Ultraviolet 7 USB, AudioQuest Q2s, AudioQuest NRG X(preamp)
Standby: LSi9s with VR3's Fortress mods -
Glad it sounds good now, but I bet it’s gonna sound pretty bad after the other guys come and collect their third. Why would anyone want to cut a nice amp up three ways is beyond me.
Picked up this Vincent SP-331 a week and a half ago. In fact Mike @02guy found it on CL in Asheville for a screaming deal! So Russ @lightman1 Mike and I split the price in thirds.
Todays the first time I've had a chance to hook it up and enjoy it. I'm warming it up nicely.
Russ won’t collect his third anyway... and that staircase screams “All in The Family”, btw.The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD
“When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson -
So, do the three owners each get it for four months a year?Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes
Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables
Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
Three 20 amp circuits. -
nooshinjohn wrote: »Russ won’t collect his third anyway... and that staircase screams “All in The Family”, btw.
I might have to buy Mike's third on this one.
2ch rig: Speakers: Magnepan LRS w/Magna Riser stands Preamplifier: Parasound P5 Amplifier: Parasound A23 CDP: Pioneer DV-563A Cables: Wireworld Equinox 7 XLR ICs, Wireworld Ultraviolet 7 USB, AudioQuest Q2s, AudioQuest NRG X(preamp)
Standby: LSi9s with VR3's Fortress mods -
Gotta remember....years ago, 8 or 9 people went in on a record flattener. The concept and inception worked great until after the 3rd year (after constant use), it broke.
Everyone still got their money's worth.
Tom~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~ -
Picked up this Vincent SP-331 a week and a half ago. In fact Mike @02guy found it on CL in Asheville for a screaming deal! So Russ @lightman1 Mike and I split the price in thirds.
Todays the first time I've had a chance to hook it up and enjoy it. I'm warming it up nicely.
Very nice! Love the floor too! Basement: Polk SDA SRS 1.2tl's, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,McIntosh MCD301 CD/SACD player, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2, Series2 Digital Cables, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Series2 XLR's, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, Antique Sound Labs AV8 Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
Spare Room: Dayens Ampino Integrated Amp, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
Garage #1: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner
Garage #2: Cambridge Audio EVO150 Integrated Amplifier, Polk L200's, Analysis Plus Silver Oval 2 Speaker Cables, IC's TBD. -
Finishing up the rewire of the 2.3TL's today, and putting them back together.
Preamp is in the shop, so I can't test them out for a while yet
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^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Love it. Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them.
“Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured.”
--Mark Twain. -
Looking good!Mojo Audio Illuminati v3>>Quantum Byte w/LMS>>Rpi/PiCoreplayer>> Starlight 7 USB >> Mojo Audio Mystique v2 SE>>ModWright SWL 9.0 SE Signature>>Hafler DH-500 Amp+ (Musical Concepts Fully Modded)>>
SRS 2.3TL (Fully Modded)...Velodyne Optimum 8 subwoofer
1KVA Dreadnought
Marantz SA 8005
Pioneer PLX-1000 Turntable - Shure SC35C/N35X - V15III/VN35HE
Yamaha TX-540 Tuner...Sony BDP-S570
Sony PS4
Separate subpanel with four dedicated 20 amp circuits.
1. Amplification 2. Analog 3. Digital 4. Video
"All THAT IS LOST FROM THE SOURCE IS LOST FOREVER" -
I picked up a Sony HAPZ1 ES today at a local dealers warehouse sale for a ridiculously low price. I have been considering this piece for several years. In great cosmetic shape. Having fun playing with it tonight.
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Played with placement and listened for a few hours :-p
Also ordered some acoustic panels (4 x 24*48) to mess around with. I dont feel my room needs to much tuning, but maybe a little :-)- Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
