OVERVIEW
This
is the original Zen Triode amplifier, our first, released in
1998. Since that time it has developed an almost cult following
among serious audiophiles and converted many 300B, 2A3 and 45 amp
owner's. It's a Single-Ended Triode using a
single EL84 or SV83 output
tube per channel. At it's suggested
retail price it sounds better than
most of it's competition and at the factory direct price it simply
can't be touched. No better sound or quality in the industry for
the money... guaranteed with a 30 day money back policy and a lifetime
warranty.
This 2
watt per channel Single Ended Triode
amplifier is capable of driving almost a dead short - rare in the world
of
SET amplifiers! It can be driven directly from any source (such
as your CD player or DAC) without a preamp. It will drive typical hi-fi
speakers to conversation listening levels and hi-efficiency speakers
(94dB 1w1/m) to a satisfyingly loud level. The amplifier operates in
pure class A and has zero negative feedback. The bass surprises
everyone. It features two inputs and a selector switch so you can have
two sources. The volume control is mounted on the front.
Tubes for it are more than affordable, the amp is self biasing
making it a completely hassle free experience to own and enjoy one.
It comes with a lifetime warranty because it's actually built
that well.
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. Silver litz 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.
The SV83 output tubes are amoung the most linear in the world.* We feel
that this tube
wired as a triode are the most neutral sounding. There is no amplifier
that will
be more transparent or holographic than a Zen Triode. And then there is
owner of Decware, Steve Deckert's flawless Zen design that
separates this amp from other high quality boutique competitors.
There's been so many 300B and 2A3 amplifier owners that have switched
to the Zen Triode 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 $800 amplifier could sound better than a $3500 amplifier - but
this one does.
* SV83/6P15P-EB Data Sheet.
FEATURES
The SE84C+ amplifier has a high gloss
white piano finish with 2 pair of inputs so that you can use it with
2 sources, a front mounted volume control, a silver toggle switch for
source selection and a silver toggle for the different bias settings of
the input tube, just like always.
It uses EL84, or SV83 output tubes and
your choice of 6N1P, 6DJ8 or 6922 input tubes. Rectifier is a 5U4 but
is also compatible with 5AR4, 5Y3GT.
Gold/Teflon
input jacks and fused IEC connector for use with hi-end cables. The amp
is self biasing so you never need to adjust the bias and the bias will
never drift out of adjustment. While we ship it with the best grade
military version of the SV83 output tubes straight from Russia
(6P15P-EB) the channels are self balancing meaning it is also possible
to use non-matched output tubes.
MONO BLOCKS
Worried about 2 watts being enough power? Both the SE84C+
and the SE84ZS models employ a unique floating
output transformer scheme where the negative speaker wire is not tied
to chassis ground. That means when the amp is bridged, both channels
may either be series or parallel wired. In series, both channels work
as one and transparency is preserved.
So with
no sonic drawbacks to running the amps
in mono, you can expect 6 dB of additional power rather then the
expected 3dB. This is thanks to the power increase the amp has when it
sees half the speaker load from being bridged.
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 released 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) you can
bridge these amps into mono blocks. Because of the power increase
into lower ohms, you will net 6dB of additional power. Same thing as
doubling your power... twice.
TUBES
This amp
is shipped with graded premium
quality N.O.S. 6P15P-EV output tubes rated at 5000 hours. These Russian
military spec tubes are the top grade of what we came to know in this
country as the SV83. You can also use EL84's without adjustments of any
kind. You'll find the SV83's to be unparalleled in speed and
detail - in part because it is a video tube with much wider bandwidth
then a normal audio tube. We think these are the best sounding
most transparent tubes available today. The EL84 (6BQ5) is a bit warmer
sounding giving the amp a different signature by just switching output
tubes.
The
input tube is a single 6N1P, 6922 or 6DJ8
- your choice. 6N1P's have the warmest tone, 6922's have the best
dynamics, 6DJ8's have the most air and micro-detail with a touch less
bass. Again, a powerful tool for voicing your amplifier to your
particular tastes.
The
rectifier is a 5U4G and can be substituted
with a 5AR4 or compatible rectifier. Many owners of this amp like using
the 274B. Each rectifier change will also make audible differences in
the sound and performance of the amplifier.
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.
 OWNERS
MANUAL
for
this
amplifier.
REVIEWS
You may
read reviews
on
this
amp going back 11 years.
HISTORY of
REVISIONS
 |
SE84C /
Manufactured from 1998 to 2008 and was retired at serial number 1000.
This unassuming little gray box (about the size of a toaster)
set the benchmark for all Decware amplifiers that followed. |
|
SE84C+ / Manufactured from
2008 to 2009. The chassis was stretched an inch, the larger world
voltage power transformer became standard. The thickness of the steel
chassis is doubled and the paint is changed to high gloss black powder
coat.
The volume control was moved from the rear to the front. A second set
of input jacks was added with a silver switch so you can run 2 sources.
|
|
SE84C+ New for 2010. The
front mounted switches were moved to make room for an upgraded volume
pot. Binding posts were upgraded. Finish was changed to a
high gloss piano finish in white. The black shows every
fingerprint, smears, swirl marks, dust and proved to be just too hard
to keep looking perfect even though it was impossible to scratch.
Of course we also offer solid hardwood bases that this amp can set
inside so that all you see is the top. Dark and light hardwoods
both look striking against this clean white finish.
|
SPECIFICATIONS
This amplifier requires no adjustments
or maintenance other than changing tubes every couple years. It is a
self biasing design and self balancing meaning even unmatched tubes
become matched when installed. The SV83 (6P15P-EV) or EL84 output
tubes
wired in triode were chosen over 300B, 2A3, 45, and other triodes for
having the best sound and imaging.
| Weight |
|
17 lbs. ea.
|
| Dimensions
|
|
8.0" H x 6.125"
W x 12.0" D |
| Circuit type
|
|
Single ended
Class A Triode |
| Power output
|
|
2.3 watts
RMS into 4 ohms |
| |
|
5
watts RMS into 8 ohms bridged |
| |
|
Power increases
as ohms decrease |
| |
|
Stable into 1
ohm speaker loads |
| Input voltage
|
|
2.0 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
|
|
SV83 or
EL84/6BQ5 |
| 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
|
|
65 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
How can 2 watts do anything?
Early Zen amp survives a train wreck!
SE84C
SCHEMATIC
Frequency Response
Some favorite loudspeakers to
match
with your Zens
Some of our loudspeakers
to match with your Zens
Steve's
papers for audiophiles
|
