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OLDER DECWARE GEAR SUPPORT >> TABOO MK III >> Taboo MKIII Surprise…is a MKIV much better?
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Message started by Hearafter on 11/22/25 at 21:16:07

Title: Taboo MKIII Surprise…is a MKIV much better?
Post by Hearafter on 11/22/25 at 21:16:07

Lon or others, I picked up a used Taboo MKIII a while back after keeping an eye out for a year. I was looking mainly to use it as an headphone amp in my second system. I recently set it up and tube/headphone rolled to find my sweet spot. For now I have the ZMF Auteur OS headphones with French Dario Miniwatt E188cc , Telefunken 7189 pair and a Cryotone 5U4G(came with this rectifier). For fun I hooked it up to my speakers (Fritz monitors) to compare it to my Raven Blackhawk Amp. To my astonishment this Taboo just sounded better in every way. The soundstage and realism just shinned. It is now my second system 2 channel amp / headphone amp and my Raven Blackhawk and it’s tubes are now for sale.
Question…Is the Taboo MKIV a worthwhile step up in SQ from the MKIII? Or is it just a different flavor? Thanks

Title: Re: Taboo MKIII Surprise…is a MKIV much better?
Post by Lon on 11/22/25 at 22:34:18

I would say it's more of a different flavor, a little thicker sounding, and the Lucid Mode settings are implemented a little differently. I rarely used that Mode at all so can't really comment there. In your shoes I think I could be happy with the Mk III and not actively seek out a Mk IV--but if one fell into your lap, a comparison would speak clearly to the differences.