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AUDIO FORUMS >> Reviews >> UNBOXING: Zen SE84ZS
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Message started by Kodakjello on 07/15/07 at 18:35:22

Title: UNBOXING: Zen SE84ZS
Post by Kodakjello on 07/15/07 at 18:35:22

Yea!!! My amp arrived last Friday but I had to wait until Saturday afternoon to pick it up from the local post office. Let me first say that the pacakaging is excellent and that the amp arrived in PERFECT condition even with the rough handling USPS and Canada Post gave it. My first listening impressions are rather limited as it's still breaking in and I have it hooked up to some 30 year old Sony 8 ohm speakers (waiting for my Radial 15.s). However, even during these early days the sound is very, very smooth and these speakers are sounding better than they ever have! How 2.3 watts can go so loud and so clear is beyond me!
:D

So, for now, enjoy these images of the unboxing process for my new Zen Select. Once I receive the Radials ad get everything broken in, I'll post a detailed review of the combination...sweet, sweet days of summer...
;)

Absolutely beautiful! I am thoroughly impressed with the build quality, the white power coat finish on the amp's plate, and the fantastic wood finish. I'm positive this amp will look just as stunning in 10 years as it does now!

Stay tuned for more!

Kodakjello

Title: Re: UNBOXING: Zen SE84ZS
Post by DaveCan on 07/15/07 at 19:14:20

Awesome Kodak 8-) Aren't you glad you took the plunge and ordered the gear? I bet when your Radials come your going to be a very happy camper.

Thanks for sharing the excellent picture report and congrats on your amps safe arrival.. Enjoy!!! Dave :)

Title: Re: UNBOXING: Zen SE84ZS
Post by Lon on 07/15/07 at 22:47:14

I'll echo what Dave has said. . . and what you have said. That is a beautiful amp with it's finish and wood. . . Wow.

Enjoy, enjoy, and I'm eager to hear your impressions of Los Radials!

Title: Re: UNBOXING: Zen SE84ZS
Post by DaveCan on 07/16/07 at 01:01:10

Ditto on your impressions of the Radials.

I think Steve really hit the mark with the new look for the Anniversary Edition amps.

They are beautiful peices of work, and the nice warmth of the walnut casing is nothing short of fabulous, plus they sound as good as they look which makes for a very complete package.. I hope he stays with this style, very nice... Dave :)

Title: Re: UNBOXING: Zen SE84ZS
Post by veryoldcat on 07/16/07 at 06:22:16

Very nice, indeed! Exciting!

There's doubtless PLENTY of room inside the chassis for vcaps, should you become other-directed regarding the interstage coupling caps. 8-)

The stock caps are no slouch, however....

Karl

Title: Re: UNBOXING: Zen SE84ZS
Post by Kodakjello on 07/17/07 at 14:14:35

Thanks guys, I am glad I finally took the plunge. I've done some more casual listening and the amp is still sounding great but I'm really looking forward to hooking up the Radials! The Sony speakers are a bit too smooth and I'm pretty sure the tweeter is just getting on in age, it doesn't present the highs as crispy as I would like. It also might be due to the type of tweeter it is. When I re-wired the cabinets I noticed that there was a transformer attached to the back of the tweeter...I'm still not sure how that would work :) Any ideas?

Kodakjello

Title: Re: UNBOXING: Zen SE84ZS
Post by Lon on 07/18/07 at 00:45:40

It might be an inductor. . . not a transformer. . . I don't know.

You are definitely going to get crisp and vivid highs with the Radial tweeters! You might even like me find them a bit too much! (I seem to be quite sensitive to high end energy, and not to have lost much topend hearing!)

I'm looking forward to your receiving the Radials!

Title: Re: UNBOXING: Zen SE84ZS
Post by rmt on 07/18/07 at 02:29:40

WOW! I am jealous. That is a beautiful amp. I really llike the new look of the Decware amps. What source you are using?

Title: Re: UNBOXING: Zen SE84ZS
Post by Kodakjello on 07/31/07 at 16:56:33

Right now I'm using an RCA splitter off the analog headphone jack from my iMac :) Very crude but it sounds nice. What I may do for the near future is obtain Squeezebox 3 for feeding the Select Zen. That would leave me with the option to upgrade to a good DAC in the future and simply relegate the Squeezebox to the role of a transport.

I really like the interface and open-source software on the SqueezeBox.

Kodakjello

Title: Re: UNBOXING: Zen SE84ZS
Post by stone_of_tone on 08/05/07 at 03:51:30

Congrats! Makes me want to buy another Select. She is a beauty. What serial number is it? I am curious if Steve started at one (1) again with these?

Just a rainy night here in Minneapolis. I just finished a 4.5 hour listening session and as usual it is very hard to shut the Select off and leave the room for the evening. Jeff Golub with Guitar and Maceo Parker's Alto were in the room.

I must say Jeff Golub's latest record (Grand Central) is recorded through a Fuchs Overdrive Supreme....only through Steve's Zen Select do you sit there emersed in the Dripping tight clean Tone of Jeff's Guitar with the Fuchs! ...... .

Cheers, enjoy, Stone of Tone
8-)