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AUDIO FORUMS >> Reviews >> SE34.1
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Message started by 4krow on 07/18/10 at 22:23:37

Title: SE34.1
Post by 4krow on 07/18/10 at 22:23:37

Just gotta tell someone about this....I got ahold of a se34.1, and I cant believe how close it sounds to the sv83m monos I used to own. Sure there isnt all the transparency, but in the ballpark still. The amp has the most adaptability of most any I have owned, so now the speakers are matched better than any guessing game could insure. I wonder if the Hazen mod is worth the time for this amp, and whether or not I will replace the belden input wires with something better. Any ideas? Greg 8-)

Title: Re: SE34.1
Post by Lon on 07/19/10 at 03:13:22

Congrats 4!

Well, this is just an educated guess, but I think the Mod would be appropriate for this amp.

Love the EL34 amps from Decware, they're so musical.

Title: Re: SE34.1
Post by Steve Deckert on 07/19/10 at 04:06:37

The CCE mod for this amp is like adding a zero to the price.

Steve

Title: Re: SE34.1
Post by 4krow on 07/19/10 at 04:25:46

Steve, good to hear from you. Of course, I know that you communicate with many people, and it was a couple of years ago, but I still remember the phone conversation that we had. You found it interesting that after auditioning a piece of gear, our acoustic memory can change. So, the next time we listen, we have expectations, but our ears may hear things differently. I have always remembered that , and used it with my own auditions/experience.
This 'cce' mod you speak of, can it be done by you, or could I do it myself. And also, what does it consist of?
Always looking for another step up.....Greg

Title: Re: SE34.1
Post by 4krow on 07/27/10 at 04:13:49

Update: I have completed the cce mod, and replaced signal wires in the amp with a 20 ga. solid strand cable. This cable is tightly twisted, is made of silver plated copper, and has a insulation usually found on magnet wire(cooked on, and very thin).
So, you ask, 'how does it all sound?' Ok, well, the sound did change significantly. It has a more prominent presence in the lower midrange. I have noticed less of a difference in the treble, except to say it is not as sibilant in the 2-3k range. Thats good 'cuz, that was my main bitch with many single driver speakers. The bass is more pronounced and deeper. I know, this description is not very flowery...just like the Decware sound itself. Just an honest opinion.....Greg

Title: Re: SE34.1
Post by Chris K on 07/27/10 at 16:30:17

I highly recommend the CCE cap on the output tubes for the Decware EL-34 SET amps of any vintage. I had Steve (actually Dennis at Decware) do this to my SE34I.1 1st gen. integrated and it is the most amazingly good sounding 7 watts I have ever heard. With a single output tube on each side running at about 3.5 watts one cannot believe the weight and power of presentation this amp is capable of. It is a Zen select on steroids. I have said before that I suspect that the SE34I.2 that is currently offered NEW from Decware with the CCE caps installed as OEM could be the best SET offering for the $$ you can get anywhere. Stone quiet too!

Title: Re: SE34.1
Post by rmt on 08/02/10 at 03:25:38

This is good news about the CCE mod for the SE original. I will have to wrap mine up and sent it in.