Zu Omen Dirty Weekend Setup tips

Sounds like you're going into it with the right attitude.  I'm like you, I want avoid obvious mistakes but that's such a subjective thing.  One person's mistake is another's epiphany.  

Once I got over my initial concerns about low end extension, I started noticing the detail in the mid and upper mid range that I hadn't had with my AEs.  To me, that's a better foundation to build off than what I had before.

I'd demoed B&W 685s2; Paradigm Monitor 9v7; and Golden Ear Aon 3 against my Acoustic Energy Aegis 3 and while all were better performing to some degree, none of them impressed me enough to consider them worthwhile upgrades for the cost.

I don't think the DWs are a revelation or anything but I like them compared to all those speakers above and, to my tastes, their aesthetic is worlds better.

One more note about deep bass on the DW.  Zu bass in general is pretty tight and resolving, more so than most speakers, and yes, sometimes the speakers can sound a bit thin and/or lean on rock.  However IMO Zu's respond very well to EQ.  Before investing in subs give your amp's tone controls a try, or think about something like a Schiit Loki.  I use bass EQ with my Zu's and I've never wished for a sub.  

Thanks whoopycat, that's great information.  I'll play with my Anthem's tone controls and maybe even set up some custom ARC curves.

I've looked at the Loki more than once, so that's also an interesting idea.  I'd honestly rather not add a sub so you've given me some food for thought.

So the tip that nobody gave me was don’t be a dumbass and leave your amp on the 4 ohm taps. I can now confirm that the 8 ohm taps definitely sound better. I’ll probably listen for a bit before trying the 16 ohm taps. Nominal spec is 12 ohm but characteristic is 14 ohm according to the chart Zu has with some of their snubbing resistors. Still a tube noob so I’m not used to so many choices.
The carpet spikes are LONG. Fully inserted the spike protrudes about 1-1/2”. So I’ve got plenty of clearance under. Initial bass response is fine. I know intellectually that I’m missing that little last bit of extension that I had before and it would probably show up on a test sweep but why would I listen to test tones already. I have some spare shelves for those IKEA CD racks that were recently discontinued. I bet sliding one under each finger port would provide the opposite extreme for comparison. But not yet. Leonard Cohen is currently telling me I’m in the right ball park as is. I heard a more hiss as a Ben Folds Five track trailed off than I’m used to, but the decibel meter tells me I’ve turned the volume up about 10dB more than usual without noticing. Coincidentally the DW are about 10dB more efficient than my Dynaudio Audience 82 are. These are easy to play loud. Good thing I’m in a house and not an apartment. I’m missing the deepest bass a little with Meshell Ndegeocello but not enough to stop the volume from creeping up again. Got swept up in a Saint Saëns cello concerto. I had a feeling cello would shine on the Zu. I don’t need a speaker to shake the earth or rattle the windows but you can’t roll off too early and miss the upright bass in a small jazz ensemble either. This wasn’t initially intended to be a play by play of my first listening session. There’s some Stanley Clarke, Propellerheads, Johnny Cash, Iggy Pop, Gillian Welch, Dizzy Gillespie, Police, Portishead and it’s going to be a long night. I should pour a drink and put down my phone. I think I’m getting an idea what people mean by Zu sound. "I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship."
If it matters:
Primaluna DP HP
Schiit Saga+ (meant to be temporary, but I like)
Oppo BDP-105
Bluesound Node 2i
Cables are some Cullen and some Zu. 

I'm not sure gear "matters" but it's always cool to see what others are using.  It sounds like your enjoying yourself and isn't that what all of this is about?

I just took possession of a refurbished Dual 1219 and wow has that transformed the Dirty Weekends.  Well it hasn't transformed them as much as it's allowed them to show me what they're all about.  I'm finally in love.

I guess I didn't realize how much my AT LP120 was holding them back.  I haven't enjoying listening to records this much since getting back into it seven years ago.  The grin hasn't left my face since unboxing the turntable yesterday.

Since you listed your gear, here's mine:

Anthem MRX 520
Dual 1219 with Ortofon OM10
Schiit Mani
Sony SCD-CE595
Cables are Blue Jean and a hodgepodge of Acoustic Research & Monster Cable from decades ago. 

Oh and of course the Zu Omen Dirty Weekend in Rustic Hickory