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EQUIPMENT FORUMS >> ZP3 / ZMC1,2,3 >> Decware phono with mono switch?
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Message started by magritte on 03/26/10 at 20:28:41

Title: Decware phono with mono switch?
Post by magritte on 03/26/10 at 20:28:41

Anyone had one built with a mono switch for listening to mono vinyl?

Title: Re: Decware phono with mono switch?
Post by Lon on 07/21/12 at 15:26:29

I inquired about whether one could be built with a mono switch and Steve answered that it could be. If I order one I'd order one with a mono switch as I listen to a lot of mono lps. I find the mono switch beneficial with my current phono preamp.

Title: Re: Decware phono with mono switch?
Post by tgarden on 07/21/12 at 21:43:37

Hi Lon, Did Steve mention what the price would be for an mono switch?

I'm interested in sending my phono back to Steve and having a mono switch installed (if it could be done on an existing unit).

Mike

Title: Re: Decware phono with mono switch?
Post by Lon on 07/22/12 at 02:37:48

Hi Mike,

No we didn't talk price in the emails. I'd give him a call or send him a message. I'm not ready to order for a few months or more, so I didn't go there. . . .

Title: Re: Decware phono with mono switch?
Post by tgarden on 07/22/12 at 02:42:03

Thanks Lon! I'll give Steve a call this week, and will post what I find out.

Mike

Title: Re: Decware phono with mono switch?
Post by sberger on 07/22/12 at 04:45:27

I had him put a mono switch on my CSP2 when it was built. I believe it was only a nominal fee. Well worth it.

Title: Re: Decware phono with mono switch?
Post by Lon on 07/22/12 at 05:34:31

Alright! Thanks for letting us know Sam. Any word on your Torii yet?

Title: Re: Decware phono with mono switch?
Post by sberger on 07/22/12 at 15:14:30

According to Sarah it's ready to be shipped back to me Monday. Waiting to hear from Steve what the problem was but hopefully by the end of the week it will be back in the system. Really looking forward to it.

Title: Re: Decware phono with mono switch?
Post by Lon on 07/22/12 at 15:23:45

Awesome news! Now the real listening can begin. . . .

Title: Re: Decware phono with mono switch?
Post by tgarden on 07/24/12 at 17:09:56

OK, I just got off the phone with Steve, concerning the ZP3.

The cost to put a mono switch on an existing ZP3 would be around $100, maybe a little more. It depends on where the existing RCA jacks are on your unit. Mine are on the front, next to the 12AX7's.

I'm going to send my ZP3 in next week for the mono switch addition. Steve said it'll be about a two week turnaround.

I'm looking forward to this!

Mike

Title: Re: Decware phono with mono switch?
Post by Lon on 07/24/12 at 17:19:12

Thanks for sharing Mike. I'm months away from ordering a ZP3 if I'm going to so I'll be looking for your impressions. :)

I'm so happy with my PS Audio GCPH phono preamp that I wonder if it makes sense ordering the ZP3. But of course it does, it's a Decware phono preamp! :)

Title: Re: Decware phono with mono switch?
Post by tgarden on 07/24/12 at 17:45:13

Hi Lon, You should seriously consider ordering a ZP3 when you feel it's time to get a different phono preamp.

I originally owned a ZP2 and got a ZP3 in 2008. It was a huge upgrade. The large wood chassis dampens vibrations much better than the original metal box design. Plus, the general design of the ZP3 is greatly improved over the ZP2, with the addition of the big tranformer, tube voltage regulation, choice of 5U4G or 5Y3GT rectifiers, etc.

Steve said the design of the ZP3 has not changed since I got my 2008 version.

Like the Torri III, the ZP3 responds to tube rolling, Herbie's Audio Lab products, etc. But in it's stock form, it still sounds great. I'm happy.

It'll be a month or so before I get the ZP3 back. I'll certainly let you know my impressions of how mono LPs sound with the new mono switch.

Mike

Title: Re: Decware phono with mono switch?
Post by Lon on 07/24/12 at 18:04:56

Thanks for the encouragement Mike, it will likely happen, I've emailed a bit with Steve about it and I see my vinyl listening time increasing week by week and that trend is likely to continue.

Have you heard the PS Audio GCPH? Really impressing me, sounding better than I expected. No hardship to listen to that til I have a ZP3.

Title: Re: Decware phono with mono switch?
Post by tgarden on 07/24/12 at 23:32:31

Hey Lon,

No, I haven't listened to the PS Audio phono stage, but I read the Vinyl Anachronist review, and it sounds like a very good phono preamp for the price. I have a feeling you'd be pretty happy listening to it for some time to come.

The ZP3 "might" be a little noiser than the GCPH, but I doubt if it would be by much. The ZP3 probably integrates better with Decware equipment and it is a tube phono pre, so you can roll tubes to tailor the sound to your liking. And this phono pre does like nice tubes.

Steve mentioned today that it was voiced around the 5Y3GT, but he often ships units out with 5U4G's. He says either one works fine.

I've used RCA's and currently a Tungsol 5Y3GT, but am now going to try RCA, Tungsol, and Sylvania 5U4G's, to hear what happens.

My ZP3 was used with my former Torii II, and now my V-capped Torii III, and have no plans to switch to a different phono pre (or different amp) in the next few years.

I feel it's a Decware "Best Buy" (like the Torii III).

Mike

Title: Re: Decware phono with mono switch?
Post by Lon on 07/24/12 at 23:46:43

Thanks for the info Mike. I'm very happy with the GCPH, it seems to match tonally quite well my Perfectwave DAC Mark II. I'm sure I'd love the ZP3, though another opportunity to tube roll? I'm not sure I want that! :) Just kidding but tube-rolling becomes unnerving for me sometinnes.