NOTE:  The ZTPRE after 10 successful years has been discontinued. It will be re-introduced as the flagship preamp in Steve's Zen Master Series line of products at some point in the future.  The new ZTPRE will retain its original well proven circuit with all the original deisgn concepts included.  We're just taking it to the next and final level.

 

 

Model  ZTPRE  / Zen Triode Select Audiophile Pre-Amplifier

 

The DECWARE ZTPRE is a reference grade line level preamplifier with NO bells and whistles to hamper it's impecible sonics. It does however have an impressive array of features that make it equally at home with everything from pristine SET amps all the way up to the largest Solid State brusers!  

It faithfully reproduces the complex harmonics of all musical passages, preserving the distinctive timbre and character of instruments and voices in a way that musicians will agree is completely real. The space and the ambiance of the hall are conveyed in a realistic three dimensional soundstage of amazing size and depth. Individual instruments are precisely located with lots of air and space. Musical transients are reproduced naturally and with realistic impact. Never imposing distractions or coloration's, the ZTPRE invites the listener to enjoy the musical performance, and when called upon the ZTPRE can deliver without strain the dynamic slam and extension required to gain the reputation of having serious balls!

 

Inside view of the Decware Zen Triode PreampFEATURES

  • Dual Mono Circuit
  • Remote Dual Mono power supply
  • All tube (triodes)
  • No circuit boards
  • Dual input selector
  • Dual outputs
  • Selectable coupling caps
  • Adjustable bias settings
  • 100% perfectly hand built/tested
  • Cathode or Anode output for high or low gain

Technical Tidbits

  • Silver litz ground buss
  • 50,000 uf DC heater supply
  • Polypropylene power supply caps
  • High quality ceramic tube sockets with shields
  • High quality ALPs volume controls - one for each channel
  • High quality Gold/Teflon RCA jacks
  • Mechanically isolated internal chassis for tubes
  • Polypropylene coupling caps and 1% metal film low noise resistors

Be sure to read the Designer's Notes for a complete understanding of what makes this unit different!

 

B R O C H U R E S

ZTPRE DESIGN THEORY - features brochure ZTPRE OWNER'S MAUAL in .PDF format

download brochure 1
  
download brochure 2
 
Get Acrobat Reader
 
Get Acrobat Reader

 

 

SPECIFICATIONS

  • DUAL MONO LINE STAGE with REMOTE DUAL MONO POWER SUPPLY.
  • Single Ended DUAL paralleled Svetlana TRIODES in a minimalist circuit.
  • HAND WIRED resonant free chassis with military grade parts & no circuit boards

 

COMPATIBILITY

The ZTPRE can drive a line level output from either it's ANODE or it's CATHODE! In the anode mode it delivers high enough gain to drive even the most demanding power amp. In the cathode mode, it delivers controlled attenuation without squashing micro dynamics like a passive preamp. The figures above are measured with a 2 volt sine wave to closely match that of most CD players and DACs.

What this means is that the amount of gain is adjustable ensuring the volume control will not cause it to get too loud too fast (unless you want it to) and work equally well with single ended triode amps, conventional tube amps, and high power solid state amplifiers.

 

Noise and hum are UNDETECTABLE on any of the above combinations.

 


OWNERS MANUAL
ZTPRE MANUAL.PDF
Get Acrobat Reader



POWER REQUIREMENTS:
Pre-configured for either 115/230 Volt 50/60 Hz 35 Watts

NET WEIGHT:
17 LBS (7.8 KG) SHIPPING: 22 LBS (10 KG)

DIMENSIONS:
17" W x 12.5" D x 3.5" H - 19" rack mountable faceplate

WARRANTY:
LIFETIME PARTS & LABOR
Preamplifier and Power Supply to original owner with 1 year on tubes.

 

 

 

 

SPECS

INPUT IMPEDANCE:

 

48,000 ohms minimum

OUTPUT IMPEDANCE:

 

less than 900 Ohms / *600 ohms

RATED OUTPUT:

 

greater than 5 VRMS / *1.8 VRMS with 2 volt input

INPUTS:

 

2 line level inputs

OUTPUTS:

 

2 preamp outputs

ABSOLUTE PHASE:

 

non-inverting

TUBE COMPLIMENT

 

2 SVETLANA 6N1P dual triodes w/ plated pins

 

 MODEL ZTPRE Zen Triode Preamp
$1477.00
Complete with premium tubes
also available in
220/240VOLT 50/60 HZ


We accept MC VISA AMX DISC JPC and Paypal

6.5 % RESTOCK FEE 

 

 

Here are some short papers on choosing the right preamp, or how to determine if you even need a preamp.

How to choose the right preamp - Oct 2004
This should clear things up for you when you consider preamps

Preamps - Do they help or hurt the sound - May 2004
Type A, type B and type C

 

 

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Decware is a trademark of High Fidelity Engineering Co.
Copyright © 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004  2005 2006 2007 2008 by Steve Deckert