Zu Druid questions

Jack = Try an Onix SP-3 on your Cornwalls. You can find one for between $500 and $600 on Audiogon. It's an integrated amp with two inputs. If you need more than that, use an inexpensive passive preamp as a switchbox. You will be very impressed with the results this gives you. If you decide not to keep it for any reason, sell it for what you paid.

Undertow, thanks for the explaination. I realize with most modern day amp's power increases as impedance drops, but I had/have no idea how they respond as the load increases. I've never seen this discussed, even with all the attention the Zu's are getting.

I would assume it's the opposite and maybe this is why the Odyssey performed so poorly with these speakers, but was very good with the Ushers. Also, the ability to drive low impedances is supposed to be one of the main advantages of newer amps. Maybe it's time to try a classic Marantz or the like?

I still don't understand how a tube amps differs in this regard. Most tube amps I've looked at have 4 or 8 Ohm taps, but I've not seen one for 12. Why/how do they differ from solid state?

This is the first 12 Ohm speaker I've owned so I'm in unchartered territory here.

Macrojack, thanks for the suggestion. I've been itching to try an integrated tube amp on the cheap. However, I want remote control, inputs for CD, Phono, DVDP and good power, but have been trying to stay under a grand. This is tough. Use of an outboard pre may be my only option, but if I do this I misght just as well go with separates. The pre will add exra cost not to mention I really want to keep this bedroom system as simple as possible.

I'm probably being unrealistic, but am still looking. Any other suggestions?

Jack don't worry too much about the specifics, just know that a Zu speaker will never drop, and will stay a stable load, and as for 4 or 8 ohm taps thats fine with a 12 ohm speaker, via tubes it is different than solid state, the 8 ohm taps would most likely sound best and run just fine, also most tube amps don't change power output at all between the 4 and 8 ohm taps, if its a 40 tube its 40 at either tap, normally a solid state is 40 w at the 8 ohm for example and 80 w at the 4 ohm...

But even solid state amps like 12 ohm loads, but might not be optimal all the time I would assume cause your not getting the full juice out of it cause it never has a reason to break a sweat, but I don't know, some amps are just better being driven harder, Class A tube amps are full output all the time even not driving a music signal thats why they probably sound the best, but then again thats why they run hotter too.

Jack, thanks for your detailed answer about the Cornwalls. Those should be nice for you. Sounds like I should check that model sometime just for fun.

Steve

I've had the Druids for nearly 2 years and the importance of properly setting the base gap cannot be overemphasized. Right now I have the gap set at about 1/16th of an inch (using a stack of paper under each speaker). This is contrary to the owner's manual instructions, but I confirmed this setting with Sean at Zu. First, with a bottom port, if you have carpet you should put a piece of butcher block or acrylic under the speaker, to start with a precise flat surface. Setting the gap correctly will make the speakers sound totally different. The treble will sound like it extends beyond the walls, the transients will speed up like lightning and the resolution will increase dramatically. If the gap is not set right, the speakers will be quite unremarkable and you may have no idea what you are missing.