Zu Soul Superfly

Very interesting, Phil. Are there any particularly good inexpensive amps you've heard with Zus? Their website seems to think the Dynaco ST-70 is a tremendous value. With my first child born 11 days ago and the wife on maternity leave, my ability to drop four figures (even three really) on a whim is pretty much non-existant. Notwithstanding, I will keep your 845 suggestion in mind on my daily perusals of the new today page.

Also as an update, the system is sounding very good+ but has taken a step back from last nights pure excellence. I think it's just the break in process of the drivers.

Don't get me wrong, they're still the best speakers I've owned.

Scratch that: Heh, room acoustics were playing a part in sound change from yesterday. I had my son's "pack-n-play" between my right speaker and the door (see virtual system) and it was loading bass oddly. Just moved it to the bedroom and all is right.

Who else has a pair coming this week?

>>Are there any particularly good inexpensive amps you've heard with Zus?<<

Yes. EL84 tube amps are a surefire success. If your room is small enough, the Almarro A205 is only 5/5w SEP, but sounds irrationally good. Sophia Baby. Glow amp. Lots of Chinese tube amps using EL84 and similar tubes in 5 - 25w SEP and push-pull.

The NAD C3XXBEEE series of integrated amps. A used NAD M3 is a great solid state alternative. Red Wine Audio does well. Cheap T amps are not my thing but they really clean up and get some tone on Zu speakers.

Prima Luna - whichever you can afford. Same for Melody. I'll make a special note for Jasmine Audio. This is a Chinese maker producing well-built, well-thought-out circuits. Their Jasmine LP2.0SE solid state phono stage is a genuine giant killer. Most of their electronics are tube circuits. Their various integrated and power amps are affordable and deeply musical. The designer is musically sophisticated and highly competent. cruzeFIRST Audio in Florida is a dealer online, but he doesn't always have inventory. You can buy direct from China. Prices are low and execution quality is beyond reproach. They make affordable but excellent EL34, 156 and KT88 integrated amps. Everything that company makes sounds beautiful. Look at www.jasmineaudio.net.

Stepping up, the full Sophia line. If you find *any* Audion amplifier, it's a golden synergistic match to Zu. Lots of options in McIntosh autoformer amps, and used or new Pass/First Watt. Dyna ST70 will be musical but if unmodified, bass will be euphonically flabby. Atmasphere OTL amps -- perfect for Druid and Soul. But in the hundreds, NAD, Almarro, Xindac, the occasional Dared and Jasmine are foolproof.

Phil

Me too but I'm inclined to hear a demo before drawing ant conclusions on that. There will always be flaws but individuals have to weigh up whether they outgun the plussea for themselves.

There may have been a nicer way of asking though :)

Mike

Phil,

Excellent list of music. Thank you. I may have more questions :)