Introduction of the Taboo with “Lucid” mode.
This evaluation project has really opened many doors to alternative means of diverse listening experiences. Now included within this range of diversity is that of the original Taboo model which was patterned after Steve’s final “production” circuit based upon the experimental design which led up to it.
As many of you may recall, this is the amp that toured the country with its initial introduction. Those of you that had the chance to evaluate this amplifier within your own systems have heard this design in its base form, WITHOUT the special lucid circuit which makes it so unique. Once the audition tour finalized, this amp returned to its maker for the revised upgrade to include the “LUCID” feature. The revised amp then made its final journey to Bob Z who became the owner of this special little amplifier.
I never had the chance to hear this amplifier during that period. Bob’s Taboo model was the first that I listened to and that just recently came about. The advantage that I have now with this amp, is that I get to compare not only the base circuit for which the auditioning circle experienced, but enhanced with the additional lucid circuit which is as simple as a flick of the switch for comparative analysis. Of course, all Taboo models are sold with this unique feature and anyone with an actual production model has this built in to their amp. Bob has generously lent me this amplifier as an alternative approach for which to evaluate the Decware speaker line-up. I will have this amplifier for an extended period until at which point my observations have been concluded.
After several years of dedication to the “purist” approach with Single Ended Triode class “A” amplifiers, I now have the fortunate opportunity to compare a bit of design diversity into the mix. This was something that I would have never taken interest during the period for which the prototype Taboo was introduced. At that time, I was utterly convinced that my SET mono-blocks were the epitome of design perfection. There did not seem to be cause for any further inclusion of amplifier modifications or alternative designs. My level of satisfaction was at a point where I could not fathom the possibility of refined sound character and simply ignored any scope beyond this.
This is an example of how easy it is to become locked into a certain mindset. When one is convinced of certain contentment, why take alternative measures to explore what surely must be a futile search for that which is readily apparent? One will never know the possibilities which exist until alternative designs have been evaluated for the unique characteristics inherent within them. I now have three very distinct high quality platforms for which to measure the finer aspects associated by each design. Each class of amplifier has its own degree of complexities for which makes it special by comparison and all adhere to advanced performance guidelines for which the book has been rewritten in regards to amplifier design. Decware amplifiers have without doubt, pushed the advancement of tube audio design into a realm previously unexplored. Further advancement into this “thinking -outside-of-the-box” concept has proven substantially worthwhile as these are not just improvements to old “tried and true” designs of past. To the contrary, the design theory that evolved into these production circuits are that of absolute genius. Each design represents the diverse possibilities for which to push the envelope beyond the limitations of textbook tradition.
As stated before, I like so many others of my generation were heavily influenced by the influx of massive solid state amplification which governed our mindset in general. Valve amplification had been reduced to the annals of antiquated technology, doomed to the certainty of obsolescence. New technology is superior according to the masses, or at least that is what the marketing ploy would lead us to believe. One who does not know the difference is easy prey to such a grey area of manipulation.
Those of you that have never stepped outside the boundaries of current amplifier design technology, owe yourself the opportunity to experience that which is revealed by properly designed advancements within the world of tube amplification which started it all. Sure, it goes without saying that many past valve designs have lacked true precedence by today’s standards, but that is not indicative for this category in general to any degree of conformity. I for one have been fortunate to discover this and therefore see no path leading back to the current form of engineering principals. Been there, done that. This is the real thing! For those of you that have followed this path, you know exactly what the difference offers within this dimension, for those that choose to be enlightened by its promise.
My first introduction to anything tube related stemmed from an idea that I had regarding bi-amplification of speakers. As I had heard about the strengths of great tube amplification considered ideal for the purpose of driving the mid range and higher frequencies, I started my search for the appropriate amplifiers to perform that specific task. The idea was to use solid state amplification for driving the lower frequencies as this was considered an area which fell short with tube driven amps by comparison. (hardly the case)
This was what led me on my journey to new discoveries in the nature of audio truth. All the years of marketing “brainwashing” were about to be stripped away to de-program my misled influence of what I perceived as “the way it should be“. The internet can truly be the highway to our understanding and it certainly provided me with the answers which brought me to this point in time.
It turns out that I was close to the proper concept but still not quite into focus as I still had ties with the belief that tube amps could not produce clean, accurate bass and this had to be delegated to high current solid state offerings. My philosophy was that shared qualities between the two elements in a bi-amp configuration would bring forth the ultimate combination of sound in theory.
In my search, I really did not find anything within an acceptable price range that I was willing to try out for this purpose. Eventually through the use of a search engine, I was led to an interesting site while on the search for d i. y. projects regarding tube amplifiers. I spent a great portion of that evening reading all the articles and content available on that site. What really caught my attention was a step by step process with clear assembly photographs for which an amp builder could build this affordable but obviously well executed amplifier design. This as you may have guessed was where you have landed now and this was my introduction to Steve Deckert and his great design philosophy.
I am generally very good about sensing something worthwhile and usually act upon my intuition if the purpose calls for it. The next day I called to investigate this company further with the usual assumption that I would be connected to some employee with limited knowledge to the designs in general. To my surprise, the Zen Master himself answered the phone and spent a great deal of time educating me as to what we know today.
Rather than try to sell me with his ideas or products, we merely discussed the goal that I was looking to achieve and he suggested a better solution. This would be at minimal cost and fully refundable if not up to my liking. He knew exactly what was wrong with my situation and just how to make my system perform more to my needs. That is when I bought my first piece of tube based audio gear being that of the original ZSLA which at that time cost less than $300.00. This of course replaced my existing solid state preamplifier and became a direct line stage for which to control my bridged SS mono-blocks, acting as a filtering “buffer” to smooth out the overall sound of the system.
Needless to say, that unit was never returned and I still have it today. This had performed something short of a miracle to the balance and control of my system and I knew right then and there what direction was in store for me. If that little control box could accomplish a measure of refinement to that degree, WHAT IF………….?
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