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OLDER DECWARE GEAR SUPPORT >> The ZEN TABOO >> My new Taboo
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Message started by Stone Deaf on 01/27/09 at 15:18:21

Title: My new Taboo
Post by Stone Deaf on 01/27/09 at 15:18:21

Steve I posted this on another forum where I am an administrator.

Yesterday evening I finally received the packages I have waited for. My new TAboo amp and CSP2 pre-amp both from Decware (High Fidelity Engineering). It was cool to unpack the units and see the tags on the bottom of each chassis with my name written, build date and order number. Both are warranted for life

First I unpacked the Taboo stereo amp, 6 watts, single ended pentode, class A1, tube rectified using Russian EL83 power tubes. The manual states no preamp is needed and there are two sets of inputs, fixed and varible, on the chassis. I installed tubes into their sockets, 5Y3GB Cryo French Mazda brand rectifier, Russian (military) 6P15P-EV power tubes from the Svetlana St. Petersburg factory and a NOS 1963 RCA 12AT7a signal tube. A PS audio power cord was attached to the IEC connector at the rear and I used Kimber KCAG interconnects to hook up the Adcom 5 disc CD changer. Speakers are Jean Marie Reynaud Twin II till my new speakers arrive in March. Speakers were connected to the amp using Kimber 8TC with bannana ends.

I turned on the amp and let it sit idle for 25 minutes then turned on the CD source. I was expecting great things as I slowly turned the gold knob on the front of the amp. I was greatly underwhelmed but I told myself it's new and needs break in time. Even though it was new I was looking for an answer why with the volume all the way up the volume was well below what I expected. I sat in my chair thinking it must be a mismatch, the CD needs more gain and the pre-amp will take care of that.

I opened box number two and unpacked the CSP2 preamp sat it beside the Taboo and began installing tubes. NOS GE 5U4 rectifier tube, a matched pair of Russian 6N1P input tubes for each channel and the lead input tube is the venerable Mullard 6922. Another PS Audio power cord was attached and another Kimber KCAG interconnect was plugged in. One more 25 minute warm up was given to the CSP2 and Taboo before I gave the Adcom the play signal.

I have had lo-fi, mid-fi, hi-fi, even over the top-fi but this was jaw dropping. Brand new out of the box isn't supposed to sound this good. Sure they say they break them in on the bench but I thought they just began breaking them in. That low volume I first experienced now had authority. I was listening to Pink Floyd Dark Side Of The Moon at a room filling volume and my speakers have disappeared. Sound is coming from everywhere and I can pinpoint several instruments. All the little noises, clicks, chimes and bells enter and leave with such clarity. I have heard this good before but it's been a while. I listen to the whole CD as time seemed unimportant and I stared at the two new units which now look like some mad science project from Frankenstein's laboratory. There are no rear connections on either unit. Every wire including power cord and speakers come out from the top in a loop-de-loop fashion. I don't know how I will be able to tame the tangle of wires but that is my task for today along with mounting the new Clearaudio phono cartridge in my turntable tone arm. Thursday my ZP3 RIAA phono stage will be delivered along with a couple of Steve's Zen 1/2 meter interconnects. I can hardly wait to play a record.

Title: Re: My new Taboo
Post by Jeff on 01/27/09 at 21:31:02

tube rolling will make a bit of difference but i've found that just about everything will sound real nice.

in the taboo, you should give a 5u4g rectifier a try.
also give some EL84 output tubes a try as well.

Title: Re: My new Taboo
Post by Lon on 01/28/09 at 22:21:32

Congratulations.

It gets better. Wait til you get those interconnects and they break in. And since you value analog so much I am sure your new analog front end will make amazing music reproduction in your room through the new amp and preamp.

You'll just be getting over all that. . . and then the Radials will arrive! :)

Title: Re: My new Taboo
Post by Stone Deaf on 01/29/09 at 05:13:42

I tore into the turntable this morning. Lon has turned me into a regular customer of Herbie's. I installed Iso cups, Iso bases and grunge buster balls as the new support feet and they sit on a 2" thick Mapleshade Maple Isolation platform supported by double Isoblocks for feet. Now I can't find my geo disc or protractor but I did find the stylus pressure gauge thingy, screwdriver, mirror and needlenose so I changed the cartridge and tried to wing it.

Door bell rings it's UPS a day early with my ZP3. Also in the box is a pair of new 1/2 meter interconnect. Today is not going good, the turntable is not working, I cant find my tools and the ZP3 arrived built backwards. I now hear the Civil Rights marchers in the background singing "We Will Overcome". Best plan at this time is eat lunch and drink a beer, that's how we handle pressure here in the deep south.

OK no big deal with the inputs and outputs mounted in the front I can deal with it. Taboo, CSP2 and ZP3 sit on smaller 2" thick Mapleshade maple isolation platforms supported by double Isoblocks just like the turntable. I have 20 Vibrapods, which I planned to use till I came up with a better plan, under the equipment then an idea hit me. I also had some lampblack balls left over from the Iso Cups I got from Herbie and they fit right in the center well of the Vibrapods so I put them under the Taboo and things don't sound bad but I havent had time to swap them in and out yet but they do look kind of cool and different. Back to the computer to order more Herbie's balls and he stuck me for one of those Grungebuster $150 platter mats. I wonder if Lon gets a cut?

New today are PS Audio Prelude power cords on everything, Vibrapods under everything, CSP2 got a Mazda 5Y4GB rectifier and the Taboo got a pair of cyro Mullard EL 84. I like and I told Steve if I was wearing lipstick I would have it on both ears. The slight changes i made seemed to tame some of the brightness and made the music sound much warmer and liquid. I have been listening to the same 5 discs all week, music I am very familiar with.

Everything still looks like a mad science project with wires and glowing tubes everywhere but I'm not concerned. Steve has agreed to supply me with more interconnects and a Z box for the CD. This is the most fun I have had with my clothes on in a long while. I hope my Radials get here by my Birthday in March :)

Title: Re: My new Taboo
Post by Lon on 01/29/09 at 16:53:27

I predict you'll have your Radials in a few weeks. Just my prediction!

:)

And no, I don't get a cut from Herbie! But I am glad you are having success with his products.

Just wait a few weeks when all your new components are pretty well settled in . . .Wow!

Title: Re: My new Taboo
Post by Stone Deaf on 01/30/09 at 06:07:45

Today's roll was in the Taboo:
Mazda 5Y3GB
Mullard EL34
Mullard 12AX7a
I liked this very much, very warm sounding with good bass and detail seemed to tame the high end more to my liking.

CSP2:
SED Winged =C= 5U4
6N1P
6922 NOS Russian Military with rocket logo shiny black top
This was a step backwards. Tomorrow I'm going back to all 6N1P

ZP3:
Me and the turntable still isn't on speaking terms. Maybe tomorrow I'll sneak up on it and get it to make some noise. Maybe I should see how far I can throw that Clearaudio cartridge.

Listened to some Tom Petty, Nancy Griffith, David Gilmore Live in Gdanks and it was satisfying.