What amp are you using with your Zu Essences?

Thanks a Million Fred and Phil! I certainly look forward to getting the 845's in place, though honestly I am absolutely loving the Modwright Pre with a Pass Labs XA 30.5. Awesome dynamics, bass, transparent....loving it:-)

I do appreciate the feedback immensely on the 845's and I will await Fred's feedback on the Pavanes. I think the three of us have a similar tastes, and I absolutely agree that what one man loves, the one next to him may hate!

Cheers,
Morgan

Truth be told, its pretty hard, IMO to make Zus sound bad... I've only had one amplifier combo I actually 'hated' Ironically it was one that Zu actually had on their recommendation list (my dad had a Panasonic XR-25 gathering dust--figured I'd give it a shot).

I'm no stranger to Pass designs driving Zus and they can be pretty darn good--I liked the Alephs in particular over the Firstwatts. The Alephs were recently de-throned by a Redgum RGi120 as my favorite solid state option for my Superflys.
VERY musical combination.

Been reading, and have a pair of Omen Def's on the way, and
wonder why no mention of Peachtree as a recommended amp for Zu's as they were what was used at the shows mainly??

The Peachtree is a fine choice and you will likely be happy with it. The truth is, the Omen Defs and the Superflys are so transparent that every amplifier change will produce dramatic changes, all of which are of course just a matter of taste and personal preference I have heard the Omen Defs with many amps and a very good solid state integrated is the Virtue amps with the tube buffer (also recommended by Zu). There are many good options, and what I have found is it is just best to try several amps to get a different taste so to speak so that you can determine what you like best.

Peachtree integrateds sound fine on Zu speakers, though better on the 12+ ohms speakers than the 6 ohms Definition configurations. "Fine" being the operative word. That is, for their cost Peachtree integrateds are beyond reproach. If you can afford more, by all means put more money into your amplification for more engagement, presence, musical intimacy and more convincing recreation of the recorded event. It will be quite worthwhile. You will get no-apologies, serviceable fidelity out of Peachtree + Zu, but you'll be leaving quite a lot of the speaker's musicality, involvement and sonic potential untapped. Peachtree is far less than optimal, and far more than objectionable, the classic mid-fi dilemma as to where you put your cash.

As I've written many times before: going lighter on the Zu speaker (lower in the line) and pushing more of your cash into exceptional amplification is generally the better route with Zu if funds are constrained and you have a set total spend allowed.

Phil