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Any comments on the Decware Zen amp?

I have been reading up on the Zen amps by Decware. This amp sounds incredible from the reviews. While I am not sure if my speakers have quite the efficiency to get the volume I am looking for, they sound very favorable. I keep hearing about how electrostatics love tube amps. I own ML SL3's. Used BAT VK-60's are selling for around $2K, the Zen Select sells new for $695. Buying 2 for using as mono-blocks at $1390 still seems reasonable. Has anyone had the oportunity to audition both to offer an opinion? Most of the people using them are using Klipch speakers, which I am not too fond of.
pmwoodward
eoj58
1 posts
 
Hi Is this the amp Nelson Pass designed?
bigshutterbug
381 posts
 
The Decware amps are very nice sounding for the money, but they are not a good match for your SL3's. You will find that
they do not have near enough drive for them. In response to the above question....no, Nelson Pass did not design these amps. You are mistaking theses amps for an older solid state
amp Pass designed with a similar name. You will probably find that you need a minimum of around 30 w.p.c. to get the
Logans going.
tacs
220 posts
 
the advantage of these amps is the very pure sound you will get...if you use speakers with an easy load and not a lot of crossover. they do not have a lot of drive, but they do very little to the signal. a tradeoff. count on having 96 dB efficient speakers or a small room or both. in this situation and a good front end, the music they produce is beguiling.
martin logans would not be a good match, but it would be fun to try.
pmwoodward OP
94 posts
 
to Eoj58, this tube amp (and others) are designed by Steve Deckert (www.decware.com)
mikes_inco
3 posts
 
Efficient speakers are a MUST. Neither my 88 dB towers nor my 90 dB mini-monitors cut it. I had to craft some 96-97 dB efficient speakers loosely based on what I learned at the Pi speakers-, HammerDynamics- and on the SingleDriver web-sites (DIY Afterburner project). Combined with an inexpensive sub the "B" revision of the SE84 Zen amazes me.
The C, CS, and other amps from Decware use even better parts...
MikeS
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