What amp are you using with your Zu Essences?

To digress a little, I am using an Almarro 318B with Zu Druids and the amplifier is wonderful. However, the sound from the Almarro is heavily dependent on the pre tubes. I settled with a Mullard brown base CV569 (6SL7) and a Sylvania 6SN7GTA for wonderful warmth and detail. The SED 6C33C power tubes bettered the Sovteks with a little more detail and extension.

This tube combination (by my ears and preference of course) gives the best midrange that I have ever heard out of any amp and still had delicate and revealing highs without harshness. With the wrong pre tubes, the Almarro sounded dull and blurred. Perhaps the Zu people did not have the Almarro on their list because they did not tube roll it or perhaps did not review it, as it bested the Melody I2A3 which they said is "awesome".

I owned a Cary 300SEI with Western Electric 300B tubes and the Melody I2A3 recommended by Zu, but found the Almarro 318B to sound superior overall, especially for midrange warmth and engagement. The Almarro also has delicate and revealing highs and can even rock when called upon with its measured 20 Watts of SET output. The Melody I2A3 had a tad more finese and silkyness in the highs and a little more forward soundstage. The Cary, 300SEI although very nice, suffered from a little bit of the dryness that I almost singularly seem to hear in some of the Cary equipment.

However, the Almarro won handily in overall midrange presence, giving out an immediate front row center sound with full tube 3D realism and depth. It was wonderful with vocals, instrumentals and jazz, yet still possesed engaging sweet yet detailed silky highs - and as mentioned, can play rock when called upon without being embarrassed. The Almarro should have no trouble powering Zu Essence, Sous or Omens (or Omen Definition speakers for that matter as it powered both my Druids and Tones simulataneously in an effortless fashion).

Got hold of Primaluna Prologue 2 integrated with KT88 output valves for use with my Essence, it was certainly interesting, having never used valve amps before it did open my ears to the philosophy behind the Zu speakers designs, so much so I got some Svetlana EL34 output valves and Philips control valves for it, now it is sounding sweet.
Next step is to try out the Zu cables in place of the Mogami I currently use.

I got my Essence speakers about 6 months ago replacing a pair of Druids. I drove the Druids with an Almarro 300B which is a really nice match. Once I got the Essences, I decided to try some new amps. I started with a Red Wine 30.2 after reading about them for years ... I found it dry and lacking clarity even after a factory tune-up. I moved on to First Watts F1. The sound had the sparkle and clarity I was used to from the Almarro but not quite as much depth. It had more firmness on the lower end and pop on drum sticks. But the F1 did not have enough power - I use a MAC with no preamp. I go from itunes through Pure Music software into my Exemplar DAC and to the amp. I replaced the F1 with an F3 using the same set-up. That is an ideal pairing to me. I kept the Almarro and switch them out ... different sounds but I consider them equal.

BTW - I listen nearfield (6' between speakers and 6' from me) throughout the day as I work at home. So I was going through tubes every few months.

For grins and because I have the bug, I just bought an F5 to see how it compares. I'll post my thoughts in a few weeks once it arrive and is up to speed.

I'm Having fantastic results with Art Audio's High Current Jota amp. It's a 20-24 wpc SET amp, and this thing has the power and finesse to drive my Zu Essence effortlessly. Great, musical combination!

I'm using an Art Audio Carissa and a PX-25 and loving them both. I have decided that for me the PX-25 is a better fit as I listen at what I believe are too low volumes for the Carissa with such high sensitivity speakers ( I have 101dB Sensitive Omen Defs). The Carissa is better with jazz and vocalists, but I prefer the PX-25 for electronica, rock, etc as it is a bit more dynamic, but a little less life like compared to the Carissa. Either one though is a great pairing with Zu's.