Post by Steve Deckert on 10/27/07 at 01:18:58
The new Zen Triode Monoblocks are now ready and have been added to the web site.
https://www.decware.com/newsite/monos.htm
It's kind of neat to look back to the early 90's when the original Zen Triode circuit was being tested and then flash back to today in 2007 where the picture above shows where the design peaked.
Sound wise they have a more analog sound - meaning it sounds like there are more points on a line. This comes off as a smoothness that actually renders more detail. Performance wise they are more dynamic and with more headroom then any previous models based around the SV83 or EL84 output tubes.
The tube regulation on the input stage de-couples it from the power supply which makes a noticeable improvement on the sonics of the front end.
Imaging is higher, and wider then the stereo models which can be a double edge sword. A stereo model has a small mount of natural cross feed that occurs between channels that really locks a solid center image even if the source is less then close to reference quality. Monoblocks by themselves have infinite separation between channels so a more honest if you will playback will occur. This however will put more pressure on your source components to be of top quality to achieve a similar lock on the center image.
In any case, I hope they are well liked. I'll be writing the design notes in the coming weeks.
Thanks,
Steve