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OLDER DECWARE GEAR SUPPORT >> SE84A, SE84B, SE84C, SE84C+,SE84CKC >> SE84A authenticity / originality questions
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Message started by scriptlogical on 08/14/24 at 19:20:55

Title: SE84A authenticity / originality questions
Post by scriptlogical on 08/14/24 at 19:20:55

Hello. I came across an early SE84A amplifier. I have previously owned a se84c-s, so I am familiar with the great sound. After I sold the se84cs, I have searched until now to find another se84 amp. The questions i have about this se84A amp:
Is the transformer original? It is grey painted.
Is the chassis "brushed aluminum" original? I thought the early se84 were all grey.
Is the large 32uf capacitor original?
Is the signature on bottom signed by "Steve" actually Steve Deckert!?
Have a good day and thanks for insight

Title: Re: SE84A authenticity / originality questions
Post by scriptlogical on 08/14/24 at 19:35:54

I can't upload pics. They are blue LCR capacitors make in UK in question. Also serial number is 00046
And written with sharpie "enjoy" Signed "Steve"

Title: Re: SE84A authenticity / originality questions
Post by Lon on 08/14/24 at 19:44:44

If it is a Rev. A it should have a transformer with black end caps, gray chassis, no brushed aluminum, and the "volume control" is on the back by the power cord inlet.

00046 seems about the right serial number; I bought the 27th amp that Steve built, and right after that he made Rev. A amps and I sent mine back for the revisions.

Title: Re: SE84A authenticity / originality questions
Post by scriptlogical on 08/14/24 at 20:18:09

I am getting error uploading pics. They are even under 1000kb limit.

Title: Re: SE84A authenticity / originality questions
Post by scriptlogical on 08/14/24 at 22:29:16

Pic

Title: Re: SE84A authenticity / originality questions
Post by Donnie on 08/14/24 at 22:52:11

Holy cow, that is a very old amplifier!

Title: Re: SE84A authenticity / originality questions
Post by Lon on 08/14/24 at 23:23:07

Yes, that looks legit. I don't remember my bottom plate looking like that, but it may have--I haven't seen mine in about fifteen years--I leant it to a friend then and then let him just keep it when I moved from Texas to Ohio over ten years ago. I'm not sure if the caps are stock, but may be. And the signature looks likely authentic as well.

Title: Re: SE84A authenticity / originality questions
Post by Steve Deckert on 08/15/24 at 18:58:20

It is one of the original first dozen amps, all had the same brushed finish. The caps are also original. The design used 8 sections for the high voltage instead of 2. The result was resistors that don't get hot and a smooth slowed-down power delivery that made CD players of the time sound good.

Title: Re: SE84A authenticity / originality questions
Post by scriptlogical on 08/17/24 at 17:59:26

Wow. Well it still sounds great. It is earlier than I thought. Only the first dozen original SE84 amps were brushed finish? Was this amp possibly sent back for "rev A" revisions and updated with an se84A 00046 label on back after revisions? I came across the original "website" page for se84 amps during research. I noticed an early picture with se84 amp builds with black transformer and it's hard to tell if the chassis are grey or brushed. If I'm reading the writing correctly it looks like there is a 5/'98 date written on bottom label.

Title: Re: SE84A authenticity / originality questions
Post by scriptlogical on 08/17/24 at 20:18:53

I found picture of the "first dozen" se84 from the Zen Triode Amplifier page from Decware homepage under history of revisions.