Doug_C.
Ex Member
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I have not heard the Taboo (with it's additional power) but thought I would offer my experience with a single SE84CS amp as far as what kind of volume can be achieved with only one of these little amps. I listen to a variety of music but like listening to Rock at high levels also. About 4 years ago I purchased the SE84CS and a pair of Klipsch RF-7's with a stated efficiency of 102 db. At that time I was running my DVD player directly into the SE84CS with my 18" Velodyne sub connected via speaker level connections.
This minimal set-up just blew away my expensive main SS system and soon completely replaced it. For the most part I never lacked good clean volume but there were a few recordings where I wished I could squeeze out a bit more without distortion. The RF-7's by themselves produced good levels of bass but there is no substitute for a quality, properly placed sub. With this set-up some recordings were a tad bit edgey on the top end and could be a bit muddy at times on the low end.
Sometime later I introduced the Bel-Canto DAC and this was an improvement, reducing the top end edge and bottom end mud on some recordings that I was getting from my DVD player. Later I installed the relatively inexpensive Monarchy DIP 24/96 Upsampler between the DVD player and Bel-Canto and was really struck by the improvement. The top end became silky smooth and the bottom end very clean and extended. I was actually able to increase my sub volume without any hint of mud. Where the low end had been a bit over the top at times it was now as if I were simply submerged in a pool of deep clean bass. Kick drums were right there in the room and you could feel each impact.
The introduction of the Bel-Canto and Monarchy DIP convinced me of how critical a good digital front end can be. The Klipsch RF-7s are very detailed and reproduce everything thrown at them, including low end mud and high end edge from a weak digital front end. The RF-7's are the first speakers I've ever had for this length of time (4 years) with no thought of trying something else which is nice.
I want to note also that I was blown away by the quality of the audio from my Direct TV receiver. The Monarchy DIP accepts both digital and optical inputs with a switch between the two. My DVD is connected via the digital connection and the Direct TV receiver via the optical connection. The Monarchy and Bel-Canto really add to the TV audio experience. I also boxed up my expensive surround sound speaker system used previously for TV & DVD. Overall my simple 2-channel system is more satisfying on TV & DVD. An interesting side note, the Bel-Canto also accepts optical input but it will not lock on to the optical output from my Direct TV receiver where the Monarchy does?
At this point I started to considered the SE84CSP Pre-Amp. The only problem was that my experience with the SE84CS Amp had convinced me that fewer components in the analog path the better. Being unconvinced that adding another component could offer any improvement it took a year before I finally decided what the heck lets try one.
After some inital frustration with an anoying Hum from the SE84CSP I finally got everything connected to eliminate that issue and can only say WOW!!!!!!!!! Across the spectrum everything is more detailed and extended. Instrument separation and decay were noticably improved. The boundries of my 12' X 24' room disapeared and the studio space where each song was recorded became more aparent.
Since introducing the SE84CSP I have yet to find a recording where I wanted for more volume. I should note that my 12' X 24' listening room has a large opening to and adjacent kitchen / dining area of the same size and a second opening into a 12' X 14' room. When listening at high levels the volume pot on the CSP is at about 12 o'clock. On a few recordings the max volume setting is 1 o'clock with no distortion, edge or mud. The CSP really digs out the last few details leaving me with the sense of just being submerged in a satisfying pool of music with no listener fatigue.
So with the right front end, sub and high efficency speakers the SE84CS by itself can produce all the volume one could want in relatively large rooms. The added benefits of the CSP make this pre-amp a real bargin at the price and a must have based on the results in my system. I can't comment on how the CSP might perform with other equipment.
Now for those on this site that have nice single driver speakers, I'm not suggesting that the Klipsch RF-7s are a high end speaker. I'm simply suggesting they have a lot to offer when paired up with the right tube equipment. It's interesting that when I first got the RF-7's my SE84CS had not yet arrived so I hooked them up to my relatively expensive SS system and was not overly impressed, a tad edgey, sometimes a bit muddy and a somewhat congested soundstage. It was not until I got the CS and stripped my system down to the bare minimums that I could start to see the potential of these speakers.
Having said all this, if you want high volume levels and plan to use speakers with an efficency under 100 db then you will probably want an amp with more power. In my case however, I like the CS so much I can't imagine ever replacing it with anything else. If anyone actually makes it to this point of my post, my apologies for the long ramblings.
Doug C.
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