Nope the super low freq noise was only a problem when I tried to use the CSP2 in front of my anologue signal processor for the Linkwitz Lab Orion speaker system (active 4 way). When I tried the csp2 in front of a normal two channel amp and typical bookshelf (passive XO) speakers I didn't have the problems with the weird super low freq sounds.

In all situations regarding the headphone set up with cd player I get hum. CD player on but no interconnects, cd player off w interconnect, cd playyer on with interconnects, on pause, on play, etc. In the room I have the headphone set up in there are only a few things on that circuit. One lightbulb (normal cheapy) and an electric built-in-wall heater. When either of these are on I don't really notice a change but when the heater first kicks on I can hear it through the headphones in the csp2.  

Anyone have any tricks or tips. Maybe a power conditioner? Maybe more shielded interconnects. Maybe stop being a pansy and just listen to the freaking music?

Is it tiger woods?

Simon (Happily running behind )

As I have mentioned much of my CSP2 evaluation has been on headphones, just for reference nothing has changed here in terms of how the unit performs. The clipping is still blindingly apparent whenever you pass straight up vertical on the volume knob. As a side note this is still a fairly loud level to listen to so it’s not much of a problem. Funny thing is I don’t see much change in volume between headphones of 64ohm impedance and 300ohm in terms of where clipping occurs or relative volume.

When using the CSP2 as a preamp in with cd player, two channel amp and passive bookshelf speakers here are some of my findings. The 60hz hum is far more audible at what I would call a similar listening volume as to that on my headphones. I don’t really think this is just the speakers since they play pretty flat, perhaps the fact that I had the speakers on the floor increased the resonance at this frequency but I doubt it had much effect. So I wanted to try to a/b comp the CSP2 and my normal SSpre so here is what I did. The left channel of cd player out to CSP2 then to amp then to left speaker (you can guess what I did with the right channel) cd player to solid state preamp then to amp then to right speaker. Both of the Preamps were within arms reach and both speakers were as close together as possible sitting in the center of the room in front of me about 4-5ft away. I’d play a cd that I knew well and would alternate the volume knob on each pre as a way of a/bing the two preamps. The 60hz hum from the CSP2 does not change with volume knob position and it is not localizable at that distance so the same level of hum was present the entire time. In a way I guess the hum was controlled for...

Now here is where things get really weird. Overall I consider headphones to be very revealing and my best source for critical listening if I am trying to judge the difference between certain things like: high bit rate cdr or lower bit rate cds, processors, time delay, etc. On headphones these distinction are fairly easy for me but less so on speakers. With that said it would reason that the “sweatshirt muffling the speaker sound” I heard in the bookshelf speaker set up would be all the more apparent when I listen to the CSP2 and solid state pre with my Senn HD650 (not like I’m listening on the disposable airline headphones my friend still uses). Oddly enough this is not the case, I have a hard time distinguishing the difference between the two at moderate volumes.

For reference here is how I set up this half a$$ experiment. Out of cd player rca into y cable right and left go into each pre so all I have to do to a/b the preamp is to pull the headphone plug and switch it. I know this isn’t the best setup scenario but it’s all I can do with the gear I have. I put on a test tone cd and played around with tones until I got the volume levels matched as well as I could. Then put in a cd I know very well. Both units are very nice to listen to, I didn’t listen nearly long enough to evaluate fatigue but nothing was objectionable at moderate volume with either (meaning I didn’t clip the CSP2). Now if I could get a friend of mine to switch the cord and not tell me what I was listening to I doubt I could get the answer right more than 60% of the time at moderate volume. If at anytime during the evaluation there is a quite passage or switch between tracks I’ll know immediately which unit I’m listening to because of the 60hz hum from the CSP2. That is why I’m always saying “at moderate volume” bc it covers the hum enough I can’t really distinguish.

I am very curious to find out if there is a poor ground or something otherwise wrong with my CSP2 if anything my bet is that shipping was the culprit. Furthermore I am exited to hear any and all of my gear on my new cd player which is coming in a few days (Rega Apollo). So far I’ve only owned very mediocre cd players (nothing more than 125 retail).

To keep this ridiculously long post long I have another question. Are the numbers and letters of the input tube markings supposed to match the numbers and markings in the CSP2 manual. For instance all of my input tubes say 6H2 the next marking is an upside down U. but the manual says the normal shipped input tube is 6N1P. The markings on my input tubes are very clear but perhaps I just don’t know how to read them or translate them. The rectifier tube matches exactly to the 5Y3GT. Wouldn’t it be funny if all these problems were just bc of the wrong input tube shipped with the unit.

That’s all for now sorry to tire out your eyes.  

Thanks for the response Steve. So for all the people out there reading  this as a review please consider that there is something wrong with the unit. After I get it worked on I'll write back.

Should put it in the mail in the next few days.

Thanks,

Hello Parker,

When I first got my CSP2, it was very evident that this unit needed a good break-in period before it was to loosen up and start showing it's potential. I had a brand new set of Beyer Dynamics Pro headphones (same as Steve's) and they too needed to 'break-in' through the adjustment period. Between the two items, the freshness out of the box was totally unbearable and definitely not listen worthy. As I am very familiar with audio in general and especially with Decware products, I learned a long time ago that these components will always sound completely different for the better after about 200 playing hours. At this point, the units will usually hit their prime sound character and finally reveal what the true capabilities hold in store.

My initial impressions of the stone fresh CSP2 were of some of the worst that I ever experienced during the first twenty hours. Keep in mind that the tubes were also fresh and they too require a certain degree of playing time before they start to hit their peak as well.

As you described, the initial sound was muffled, undetailed, and seemingly restrained. Listening to this through the headphones was even worse. One thing that I NEVER experienced, was any sort of hum or noise, whether it was through the headphones or the loudspeakers.

As Steve suggested, operate your CSP2 with your CD player on constant loop for at least a week straight with a cool down period for a few hours each day. Do this through your headphones without using any external amplification or loudspeakers. This way, you will not have to listen to it while it is going through the adjustment period. After about fifty hours, you will really begin to notice a huge transformation and it gets much better as time goes on. By the time that I accumulated the first 100 hours on my unit and headphones, it was as though I was listening to something totally different and what a change it made by this process.

I use a premium quality RCA ST style (large shoulder) 5U4 rectifier (or a Mullard 'Blackburn code' 5Y3GT as the alternative) and NOS high quality tubes throughout. This does take the sound quality up a considerable degree in my experience and this unit is indeed worthy of the premium tube complement.

I use the CSP2 to drive my SV83 mono-blocks, which also have the same quality tube arrangements. All that I can tell you is that by using the CSP2 with the mono-blocks, I have reached a whole new level of musical enjoyment that never seemed possible considering what was being used prior to the CSP2. I was driving the extraordinarily detailed NFX speakers with the DFR-8 drivers installed for maximum clarity and definition.

I had never experienced such a solid 'WOW' factor with audio in the past with as much musical integrity as what was being presented here. The combination of the SET mono-blocks, a high quality turntable, the CSP2, and the ultra high sensitivity NFX speakers produced a level of sound quality that was truly in a league of it's own. It was clear to me that this combination would be hard pressed to beat by any standard put up against it. The NFX speakers will absolutely reveal nuances of detail that most likely will surprise the listener to learn that this even existed in the music. In order for the speakers to convey this pristine detail, it is of an absolute nature that the signal must also be of that purity being fed to them. As it is well said, the system is only as good as it's weakest link! I can assure you that there are no weak links residing in this system and it shows.

With well over 200 hours on the CSP2, I have found this unit to be nothing short of awe-inspiring and second to none! When they talk about music being heard "naked", that very much sums it up as EVERYTHING is revealed for it's absolute value.

This went from being the most horrific sounding thing that I could have subjected myself to in the beginning, on to being the most accurate, articulate, and natural sounding component that I've heard to date next to my TORIIMK2.

So, there you have it in a nutshell. Do take Steve's advice and return the unit to him for analysis just to insure that everything is operating correctly. Then get on with the break-in period and start listening to it once achieved. I would be very surprised if you are not singing the praise once this is established.

I hope that my experience has shed some light on your situation.

Take care and good luck.

Paul.

Matt - that'd be grains of "sand"  :'(