Congrats Lon,

Something tells me the ZP3 will be broken in quicker in your hands than most...Really interested in hearing your opinion...

Justin, David, thanks.

Other than a hum to track down (or not, it's not at all bad) I'm really happy with the way it sounds right now, but know it will sound even better soon. I've fallen in love with records again with my setup before today, and I know the ZP3 will make me fall deeper. The sound of recordings made on disc before tape is just more accessible to me on vinyl and I love the music in those grooves. And it's interesting to compare vinyl and digital transfers of the same material. Having started back on vinyl, and being a Decware fan to the hilt, I had to try out the component that Steve calls a "flagship". . . .

You know me, I'll certainly be talking about my impressions.

Got a little sleep. Been experimenting with tube rolling and playing lps that I know very well. I'm very impressed with the sound.

The ZP3 is starting to surprise and amaze me. I completed my hunt for the best tubes on hand by popping in a Mullard 12AU7 and two Mullard 12AX7s that I used to deploy in my EICO HF 81. Though I have no idea how many hours on these tubes, they are adding just the right amount of richness and sparkle to the sound. I'm playing the recent Columbia vinyl of Bitches Brew and just reveling in the tapestry of sound. I haven't spun a cd all day.

There is a bit of further seasoning happening and the sound is deepening. I've settled on a tube complement:

RCA 5Y3GT:  The seller says this is from '43, it IS old and operating flawlessly. Manual says not to substitute another tube type and I haven't.
RCA OA3: I've bounced back and forth with a bottle-shaped and a straight-shouldered and the latter works best with the buffer tube I have in now
Raytheon 12AX7: I bought these from Mike B. and after a bit they've bloomed into dynamic and very neutral tubes. Quiet as all get out too. I have spent a lot of time matching them up with 12AU7 buffer tubes, which seems to be the "anchor," or "lynchpin" to the sound if I choose these Raytheon 12AX7s in the system.
Telefunken 12AU7:  I bought this years ago for use in my ZCD and didn't like it there but so far it seems to be the best fit for the other tubes in the complement. Others that are close are a Mullard and the Raytheon that Steve sent with the amp (which may still be the final contender, I have it going in my DEC685 to burn in some more). I have a lot of 12AU7s and will likely roll some more as the amp is more seasoned in.

I'm getting excellent sound now, detailed, dynamic and I'm just drawn in to the music as if by a magnet. Stereo and mono, imaging is clear as a bell and the music breathes. This phono preamp is a real monster.

Sounds like you have some good tube options too. It's interesting how each tube operates in this circuit, I hear even more distinctiveness than in any other of the Decware components I've tube rolled. But perhaps that will change once the ZP3 is fully burned in.

So glad I have the ZP3 to increase my growing vinyl enjoyment!

Frimpy, it's really worth saving up for the ZP3 and if it looks like you can swing it, order it as early as you can so the wait is minimized.

Steve says he set out to design a flagship product, and he got there, this is a wonderful machine.

I'm sure glad you've gotten your Integrated and are enjoying it! I sure enjoyed mine (the earlier .2 model). Another great Decware product!