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AUDIO FORUMS >> Reviews >> It just keeps getting better! CSP2 preamp.
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Message started by paulc on 12/09/07 at 23:38:17

Title: It just keeps getting better! CSP2 preamp.
Post by paulc on 12/09/07 at 23:38:17

While attending the recent Decfest I contracted with Mr. Deckert for a new CSP2 preamp. To be honest my reasons for wanting the unit were for convenience (two inputs) more than any expected improvement to my present setup. What the hey, I already had two SE84CS amps, How you gonna beat that?

Well, after two days of listening I'm here to tell you this bad boy sure is a cut above what I have been listening to. Absolutely nothing I have done to this rig has had a more significant impact on the sound as this preamp has.

Not so very long ago I was ready to divest myself from vinyl. What I was hearing was just not involving. Surely not worth all the effort and expense. Kiss that idea goodbye. The CSP2 was the missing link. The Rega arm will now get a upgrade with a Dynavector cartridge. Heck, someday we may even try a better TT and phono-pre.

Thank you Steve and Devon for a great product.

dennis

Title: Re: It just keeps getting better!
Post by Randy in Caintuck on 12/10/07 at 02:45:48

Howdy Dennis,

After reading your post, it got me to thinking that the CSP2 is probably the reason that my newfound love affair with vinyl has taken place. Over the years, I have auditioned a LOT of preamps in my system ..... and they did more damage to the music than good, even some pretty pricey ones ..... :P

Steve has been patiently trying to convince me for a long time to try one of his preamps.
I'm a stubborn sort at times ..... and regret the delay.

You wrote "Absolutely nothing I have done to this rig has had a more significant impact on the sound as this preamp has." That sounded familiar ..... since those words also came from my own lips ..... :)

The trim pots alone are worth the price of admission. With a gentle nudge, the lead vocals can be locked in space to the point that you can lean to the left or right and see behind the vocalist ..... very impressive ..... 8-)

The added weight and benefit to the tonal balance of the Zen power amplifier has to be heard to be appreciated. These pieces were made for each other ..... pure and simple.

Regards,

Randy

Title: Re: It just keeps getting better!
Post by Lon on 12/10/07 at 11:43:54

Congratulations Dennis!

It took a while for the CSP2 to really excite me. I think because I've lived with the ZBox since nearly it's release the CSP2 had to work harder to impress me. The ZBox just cannot leave my system (it had to work hard to impress me, but boy has it). If you want it to get better from here in. . . put a ZBox on your list.

;)

Title: Re: It just keeps getting better!
Post by paulc on 12/11/07 at 02:29:57

Hey Lon,

I could not agree with you any more about the value of the little ZBox. We have unit #001 and not wanted to send it in for updates as it is just to important to the whole. The new CSP2 has some time on it as I think Steve used it for testing on his bench.

There is a lot more invested here than was the original plan but I don't regret a single dollar spent.

Title: Re: It just keeps getting better!
Post by Lon on 12/13/07 at 00:49:16

I could say the same. I didn't envision a ZBox or CSP2 in my early planning, but glad to have them.

Title: Re: It just keeps getting better!
Post by 4krow on 12/13/07 at 04:17:55

well, it's about time to chime in on the csp2 and sv83s. i purchased both of these used on th' 'gon, and feel that it is a favor that someone else broke them in for me. they are working in conjunction with the hdt's, and those have quite a break-in time as i understand it. so, i got the mono amps first, and after using threshold t50, the change was most noticiable as 'less clinical' to me. at the time, i was using some spkrs. from besl(bamberg sound lab), and they were great except for the dynamics that i recal using horns many years prior....next, came the csp2, and the best thing there was a simplification of circuit as compared to an old cary slp-74. a little more open sound, but it was hard to really tel with the restriction of the besl's(think snell lcr7 xl as reviewed in the june 2006 stereophile). so then, was the wait , and still is for the passive radiators, for the hdt's to be completed.
then one fine day, the deed was done, at least enough to bring them in mule form, and give a listen. knowing that these would need adequate break-in, i tried to ignore the obvious, and just listen to soundstaging, depth. etc. it brought me back to the lost dynamics and presentation of horns. this time however, w/o the shout. to be sure, there was plenty of 'edge to be had, but in only a few days of continual listening, they are taming down quite nicely. more to come as things unfold........merry christmas everyone, tiny tim...i mean greg

Title: Re: It just keeps getting better!
Post by Lon on 12/13/07 at 11:39:43

Hey Greg, congrats, sounds as if you'll soon be glued to your listening seat! :)