OVERVIEW
This
is the "Select" or tweaked out version of our original Zen Triode
amplifier. It arrived on the scene in 2001 as our response to all
the tweakers who claimed their modifications were the best for
improving the sound.
If you're not familiar with the original amp (SE84C) that this model is based on, you can read about here. The SE84ZS is
exactly the same amp with upgraded internals and in a different chassis.
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 the most linear output tube in the world, and
wired as triodes are the most neutral. 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 $999 amplifier could sound better than a $4500 amplifier - but
this one does.
FEATURES
The SE84ZS amplifier has a high gloss
white piano finish in your choice of black or hardwood base with 1 pair
of inputs , a front mounted volume control, and a second set of inputs
located in the front only 1 inch away from the input tube that bypass
the volume control.
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? 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
 |
SE84CS /
Manufactured from 2001 to 2005
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 7.5"
W x 16.0" 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
|
