OVERVIEW
This
is Zen Triode Integrated amplifier that was first released in 2000 and
still in production today. It's basically a dual mono version of our
SE84C+ with larger output tubes for more power. The chassis
design was set up with flexibility in mind making it possible to
configure it with several inputs and outputs, hence the term
"Integrated". No preamp required but since this is technically a
pair of straight power amps with gain controls, it is equally at home
when used with your favorite preamp.
This 6
watt per channel Single Ended Triode
amplifier is now compatible with EL34's, Kt77, 6550 and KT88 output
tubes. Taking advantage of the unique qualities of the EL34 this
amp comes standard with the Hazen Grid Mod. As a result, the
transparency and musicality it has sets a new benchmark that we feel
far exceeds popular triodes such as the 300B, 2A3, 45, etc.
More
on
the
Hazen
Grid
Technology
(also
known
as
the
Christmas
comes
early
mod)
can
be
found
here and in our forums,
here.
WHY DOES THIS AMP SOUND SO GOOD?
Well,
it's the real deal. It's not mass
produced. It is hand-built, point-to-point wiring using only part leads
to
limit the solder nodes. Only 2 resistors and 1 capacitor in the signal
path. Solid copper ground buss. US Made proprietary output and power
transformers in a high mass steel chassis of the highest quality -
all built by skilled (and well paid) artists here at Decware.
There's been so many 300B and 2A3 amplifier owners that have switched
to the Zen Triodes that we've lost count. We bring that up because most
people who haven't heard one can't wrap their head around the concept
that a $1500 factory direct priced amplifier could sound better than a
$5500 retail amplifier - but
this one does.
FEATURES
This amplifier features
one fully tube rectified power supply for each channel. It comes
stock with one pair of input jacks and two volume controls. You
can also get it with 4 pair of inputs and 1 volume control, 1 silver
selector control. There are two standby switches and a main power
switch. The amp will drive speakers between 4 and 16 ohms and can be
used with or without a preamp.
While you're listening,
you may operate the bias switch to change the sound considerably.
In one position the amplifier is very flat and British sounding,
fitting the EL34 Mullard sound. In the other position, the
amplifier is more bodacious sounding with a deep rich bass. If
your room is boomy sounding, you'll iike how the British setting fixes
everything! And or if your speakers lack some bottom end bass
response, you'll enjoy it the other way!
We voiced this amp to
sound as close as possible to our original Zen Triode amp, but with a
touch more warmth (just a very slight touch) making it ideal for single
driver speakers and or high efficiency horns. Naturally you have
quite a bit of control over the sound of this amp based on what tubes
you run in it.
TUBES
The stock configuration
is a pair of 6N1P's driving a pair of EL34 output tubes. You can
use 6DJ8's or 6922's in place of the 6N1P's and now you can also
explore a popular range of output tubes besides the EL34's it comes
with. These are KT77's, 6550's and KT88's. Tube life
is often 5 years on this amp with regular use. Because this amp
has the Hazen Grid Mod that activates only when EL34's are used, we
ship the amp with the best current production ones we've found.
These are the Winged "C" Russian tubes with Gold molly grids,
previously known as Svetlana. All tubes come with a 90 day
warranty.
BIASING
The amplifier is self
biasing so you NEVER have to set or adjust the bias for the output
tubes. If you've ever owned an amplifier that you had to bias all
the time you'll completely appreciate this design. Most amps are
not self-biasing because it reduces the potential power output that you
could otherwise get out of the tubes. We're not overly concerned
about getting the max possible power, only the max possible fidelity,
and while less efficient the self-biasing approach sounds better and
removes the headache of biasing and matching tubes.
CUSTOM OPTIONS
Since the chassis was designed to accommodate
additional jacks and even another tube if needed, the following options
are available:
- Add four pair of inputs and
a selector switch - add $100
- Fixed outputs - add $50
- Variable preamp outputs - add $75
- Tape loop with tape monitor switch -
add $300
If you would like any of the
above options, just mention it in the comments section of the order
form. We will e-mail an updated invoice with the new charges.
COSMETICS
The amplifier features a hammer vein copper finish powder
coat with high gloss. A dark rusty brown that looks black in low
light. We also make a variety of solid
hardwood bases that this amplifier can be placed in
without the use of tools.
IDEAL SPEAKERS
We have
successfully driven hundreds of different
loudspeakers ranging in efficiency from 90 to 100dB 1w/1m. On 90dB
speakers it works nicely in smaller rooms or for late night out of body
experiences. 94 to 96 dB speakers are almost ideal in that they let you
play beyond a normal listening level and preserving the dynamic
headroom. When these amplifiers were first designed in 1997 there were
a minimal number of "high efficiency" speakers to choose from. Today
that is no longer the case - they are everywhere. We also offer several
different types of loudspeakers that will work with this amp. If you
own speakers that
you love and are afraid this may not drive them understand two things:
A) It will drive them louder then you're expecting and B) a preamp can
really turn this amp on giving you significantly more volume before
clipping.
CABLES
This
amplifier is so transparent that
differences between cables will now become big differences. If you
don't have good interconnects or speaker cables or just not sure how
good yours are... we offer reference quality cables that will let you
hear its full potential. It is important to us that
you hear what your new amp is capable of and most customers, even
those with expensive cables, find that ours sound better.
SUPPORT
This
amplifier is hand built in the USA by
DECWARE / High Fidelity Engineering C0. It comes with a lifetime
warranty to the original owner. If you purchase one second hand and
ever have questions or technical problems we WILL be happy to check it
out for you and service it if needed for a very reasonable rate.
We also
have a support forum
with
many people who own this amplifier who's experiences you may benefit
from.
REVIEWS
You may
read reviews
on
this
amp going back 10 years.
HISTORY of
REVISIONS
 |
SE34-I /
Manufactured from 2000 to 2004
The original Integrated featured 4 output tubes, each with their own
transformer making it ideal for bi-amping, but a little complicated for
some people's taste. Shown with the optional wood base that
remains available for all models including the latest SE34I.2+
|
|
SE34I.2 / Manufactured from
2004 to 2009.
The 4 output tubes were traded for 2 output tubes and 2 rectifiers
making the amp simpler to operate and giving it better
transparency. The power stayed the same.
|
|
SE34I.2+ / New for 2010.
The output tube section was upgraded with the Hazen Grid Mod pushing
the performance and fidelity of the EL34 beyond what any of us thought
possible. And the amp is now also compatible with KT77, KT88 and
6550 output tubes.
|
SPECIFICATIONS
This Single-ended zero feedback amplifier requires no
adjustments
or maintenance other than changing tubes every couple years. It is a
self biasing design using the EL34 and compatible output
tubes
wired in triode.
| Weight |
|
21 lbs. ea.
|
| Dimensions
|
|
8.0" H x 12"
W x 13.0" D |
| Circuit type
|
|
Single ended
Class A Triode |
| Power output
|
|
5.8 watts
RMS into 8 ohms |
| Input voltage
|
|
2.5 volts for
full output |
| Noise / Hum
|
|
Less
than 1.5 millivolts |
| Response |
|
20 Hz ~ 20 kHz
|
| Feedback |
|
ZERO negative
feedback used |
| Rectification
|
|
5U4G / tube
rectification |
| Output tubes
|
|
EL34 or KT77 or
KT88 or 6550 |
| Signal tube
|
|
6N1P or 6922 or
6Dj8 |
| Transformers
|
|
Decware
|
| Biasing
|
|
Self-Biasing
|
| Resistors |
|
precision WW/MF
by DALE, VISHAY |
| Signal Cap
|
|
Polyurethane
Film |
| AC cord |
|
Removable power
cord |
| Consumption
|
|
135 watts at
full power |
| Input jacks
|
|
RCA type 24K
Gold / Teflon |
| Output
jacks |
|
5-way
binding
posts accept 12 gauge |
| Speaker
dB/1w |
|
89
dB
minimum / 96 dB is ideal |
| Warranty
|
|
Lifetime
to
original owner |
RELATED
INFO
OWNERS MANUAL for this amplifier
Schematic
|
