Decware Zen Triode

Ratings:Top:Audio/Video:Amps:Decware Zen Triode

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Decware Zen Triode
Rates a 10 for price/value ratio. Just can't be beat for a first-time tube newbie.

Overall Rating: 10
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=32078

Decware Zen Triode
Decware ZEN latest SV83's monoblocks can play loud on inefficient speakers (like Magnepan's) w/o clipping while they still manage to deliver the same magic that their lower powered sibling (SV84CS) has been loved for by many music lovers. It is not uncommon to find a number of music lovers, after listening to the Decware ZEN amps, either in stereo or bridged mono configuration, sold their trusty hi end amps such as Threshold, AR, VTL, even other good SET amps, to go for the ZEN's. The uniform response from those who have listened to and purchased the ZEN's is, "This is it, the end of the long struggle for a musically sounding AND affordable amp."

If you have efficient speakers (> 94 db) then $499 - $695 will buy you the amp you need. Otherwise, $1,995 will get you a pair that compares with Cary amps at twice the price and up.

Check out their cool web site www.decware.com!

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=32079

Decware Zen Triode
Previous amp was an early kit amp made by Crimson Electric and which amazed by its quality when I first bought it about 20 years ago. Itis still a good amp but was made prior to the advent of CD and therefore had no suitable input. When played through the auxiliary the sound was loud and harsh and induced listening fatigue and dissatisfaction quite quickly. I have limited funds but was attracted both by the price of the Zen Triode and the quality of reviews it. I took the plunge before christmas and ordered one. I am no longer plagued by listening fatigue I am listening to beautiful sound with exquisite soundstaging and depth in addition to the detail which had always been present. Having said that however I am quite often surprised by new details which I have never heard before. The speakers I use are Heybrook quartettes and although rated for amps between 15 - 85 watts are driven nicely by the Zen. There is occassionally a little bit of clipping if the music is played loud and depending on how the original recording was made. I am more concerned with the quality of sound rather than the quantity of sound so to those with a similar preference I thouroughly recommend the Zen Triode amp. With regard to the future, when funds permit, I may buy a second Zen and use them in bridged form.

Overall Rating: No Vote
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=32080

Decware Zen Triode
This is by far the best and non-fatigue causing amp I have had. And, I have had quite a few. My current amp in the main rig is a CJ MF200 (Stereophile Class B early 90s) driving a set of Carver Amazings MK IV Platinum from a ARC LS3 Preamp. That combination is extremely musical and can play unrestricted dynamics all day (yes the MF 200 has a very sweet and liquid midrange but does break up past about 99 db on my RS Sound Level meter at home).. So why did I get a Zen Select?

Well in the living room I wanted to listen to late night Jazz (Trio, Sax, Vocals) while watching the stars etc. So along came the Zen Select driving a set of B&W DM 303s (89db). (See reivews in What HIFI?).

This combination (Zen/B&W) is by far the more musical on Jazz. Note the there is much less power available so the Zen with a 89db speaker really cannot re-produce amplified music (rock, pop, guitar) as loudly. As loudly is really relative.. In my setup, the zen is quite loud and I use the volume control in the Zen (an alphs pot) about 25% below max.. (I am feeding the CD directly into the zen w/o a preamp).

So, yes there is magic here, my wife agrees, I listen to this setup daily, and have not turned on my main rig for about 10 days.. Enough power for most applications, great looks, a bargain..

Overall Rating: 8
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=32081

Decware Zen Triode
Best value in audio.

Overall Rating: 10
Sound Quality:10 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=101439

Decware Zen Triode
The high rating I have given is also probably because I am using the ZEN to drive lovely speakers - the Lowther PM4A's.

Overall Rating: 8
Sound Quality:8 Value:9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=180754

Decware Zen Triode
You cant imagine the sound that these little amps put out. If you use good speakers and cables and other equipment with them.The only amp that I can walk across the room and hear so much seperation in the speakers. It amazes me . And they sound so pure.

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=194163

Decware Zen Triode
The sound is incredible! The only problem is you need good speakers that very efficient to get the most out of it. But they are sure worth the effort.

Overall Rating: 9
Sound Quality:8 Value:9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=244692

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