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AUDIO FORUMS >> General Discussion and Support >> ZEN 84C or ZEN Select
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Message started by Scroggie48 on 09/05/07 at 16:33:10

Title: ZEN 84C or ZEN Select
Post by Scroggie48 on 09/05/07 at 16:33:10

Having had a good look through the forum, and elsewhere, I have decided to puchase either the ZEN 84C or the 84ZS, plus the DM944 small monitors. My view at the moment is that the 84C may be the best option as I am not looking for the last word in detail but rather a non-fatiguing involving musical sound. My previous experience of going for extremely revealing kit was the introduction of brightness, particularly in the upper treble, plus listener fatigue. Any views would be appreciated. By the way I am predominently a vinyl man and use a Garrad 301 front end. I was going to ask Decware if they would paint the case of the amp the cream colour of my 301 if that is possible.

Have enjoyed reading the posts on the forum.

Thanks

Steve

Title: Re: ZEN 84C or ZEN Select
Post by Lon on 09/05/07 at 18:51:38

Welcome Steve!

I think your thinking is sound! A C and the 944s may be just the ticket, especially with a vinyl rig.

Keep us posted!

Title: Re: ZEN 84C or ZEN Select
Post by MikeW on 09/05/07 at 21:29:44

Depending on the phono pre you choose, I am sure you would be happy with either of them. I have enjoyed both of the amps and I actually prefer the Select with a vinyl rig. Of course YMMV. Good luck with your decision. :)

Title: Re: ZEN 84C or ZEN Select
Post by Andy831 on 09/06/07 at 12:38:35

Hi Steve

We must stop meeting on forums like this lol.

I have heard the 84C and as you know own a pair of Selects. I also use Vinyl 50% of the time and Cd the other 50%. In my opinion whilst I just prefer the Select, its a very very close run thing.

Perhaps the new Creamy white chassis of the New select might just swing it for you.

Andy

Title: Re: ZEN 84C or ZEN Select
Post by Scroggie48 on 09/06/07 at 18:08:02

Hi Andy,

Well, you can see that I have decided to go for the ZEN amp and that it is just which one to opt for. I agree with you that the Select would be a great match with the 301 colour wise. My only hesitation was if the Select was a brighter sound than the standard ZEN? What would you say to this?

Anyway, thanks again for your previous offer to hear your Selects and If I lived nearer to you then I would do so. I assume your friend doesn't want to sell his 84C?

Thanks, and I will keep you posted.

Steve

Title: Re: ZEN 84C or ZEN Select
Post by MikeW on 09/06/07 at 22:33:37

The Select is not a brighter sounding amp IMHO. It is faster thereby less forgiving and with my setup a little thinner in the bass than the C. All of that however was remedied with the addition of the CSP preamp which took the Select to another level. I once read in the old forum the Select is for vinyl lovers and the C is for digital lovers (that is a paraphrase). While I do not entirely agree with that, the Select is less forgiving than the C.

Also keep in mind that the Decware speakers have a good synergy with the Decware amps :)

Title: Re: ZEN 84C or ZEN Select
Post by veryoldcat on 09/07/07 at 02:51:33

I haven't had a "C" so can't compare, directly.

However, one thing to consider that is NOT a subtle difference between the C and the Select, is there is quite a range of rectifiers usable in the Select that would not be recommended for the C. IIRC, this was originally considered one of the bigger advantages in upgrading from the C.

One of the things, for example, that keeps me really hooked on my Select is the sound I get with a Mullard gz32 with several speakers I've tried.

Karl

Title: Re: ZEN 84C or ZEN Select
Post by selmerdave on 09/07/07 at 04:15:08

Scroggie48 wrote on 09/06/07 at 18:08:02:

My only hesitation was if the Select was a brighter sound than the standard ZEN? What would you say to this?

I would say no to the hesitation. The circuits are very similar, and the biggest difference soundwise is the parts, and the biggest of those is the coupling capacitors. My amp started out as a C and I modified it to the Select circuit with some nice parts (admittedly not identical to a stock Select). I have compared both circuits reasonably back to back and while the sound is quite similar I slightly prefer it as a Select. The difference in the signature is not in the brightness, there is ever so slightly more detail with the Select but it is also silky smooth and I wouldn't characterize it as brighter. IMO if you like one you'll like the other, and while I like and respect Steve's thinking with respect to the stock coupling caps in the C, nicer caps give an improvement with no drawbacks - better extension and clarity without any glare or sounding bright. Again IMO.

Dave

Title: Re: ZEN 84C or ZEN Select
Post by Andy831 on 09/08/07 at 21:15:07

Steve

I think all the last three responses stack up with my experience.

I prefered the select to the C. The bass was enhanced by using a Mullard GZ32 rectifier valve
and Mullard output valves. I then bought a second Select and strapped them into Mono, another improvement. The crowning glory was the introduction of the CSP Preamp. It just gives you more of everything........Audio Nirvana. Well it is for me.......I would not swop these amps for anything I have heard on the planet, Including one of "Kondo Sans" Audio Note Japan 300b Set amps, running with various accuphase and Esoteric front ends.

Andy

Title: Re: ZEN 84C or ZEN Select
Post by Scroggie48 on 09/09/07 at 18:36:30

All,

Many thanks for your replies which were both helpful and appreciated. I have today placed an order for the SE84ZS and a pair of oak finish DM944's. I will now just have to wait until they arrive in the UK.

Regards

Steve

Title: Re: ZEN 84C or ZEN Select
Post by Doorman on 09/09/07 at 19:46:12

You may have just bought your last amp & speakers! 8-)
Be sure and post your impressions.
Don