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OLDER DECWARE GEAR SUPPORT >> The ZEN TABOO >> Taboo vs SE84C
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Message started by polarbear9988 on 02/23/12 at 14:47:51

Title: Taboo vs SE84C
Post by polarbear9988 on 02/23/12 at 14:47:51

I own a SE84C for a while and thinking of getting a Taboo for more power. I understand that the Taboo does require a high output source. My question is if I use a cd player with normal output level, will the Taboo (with 12AU7, 12AT7 or 12AX7 as input) have significant more power than the SE84C? I would be grateful if someone can share the experience in this regard.

Title: Re: Taboo vs SE84C
Post by Steve Deckert on 02/23/12 at 15:56:29

Quote:

I understand that the Taboo does require a high output source. My question is if I use a cd player with normal output level, will the Taboo (with 12AU7, 12AT7 or 12AX7 as input) have significant more power than the SE84C? I would be grateful if someone can share the experience in this regard.

It will have more power, yes, but will only play half as loud as your SE84C. In other words, you would have tons more headroom, the amp would be impossible to clip, but your volume level would drop in half, so you would need the volume control all the way up on a Taboo to play at the same level as your SE84C+ does when it's half way up. Solution is to run a preamp with the Taboo.

Steve

Title: Re: Taboo vs SE84C
Post by Rivieraranch on 02/23/12 at 23:45:36

Or you could buy one of the new SE34I.3 a/k/a "Rachel." This would give you 6 watts like the TABOO but retain a similar sound that the SE84C has.

Title: Re: Taboo vs SE84C
Post by deucekazoo on 02/24/12 at 14:25:31

Or you could buy another SE84C and run them in mono to get your 6 watts. That is what I did for a long time.

Title: Re: Taboo vs SE84C
Post by polarbear9988 on 02/25/12 at 16:15:31

Dear Steve,

Thanks for your help. I understand that I will have more power with the Taboo over the SE84 only that I need a source with high level output to use it. However, I note that the Taboo page states that the Taboo will give full output with 2.3v input and such level certainly looks very close to output level from normal cd player. As such, I am a little confused with what is being said on the Taboo page.

Title: Re: Taboo vs SE84C
Post by Rivieraranch on 02/25/12 at 17:34:41

I ran a TABOO with a Marantz carousel CD player which had the typical 2 volt output. The speakers were 4 ohm 89 db TRAPEZIUMS. This combination did well enough with plenty of volume.

The same TABOO was connected to a 2.5 volt CD source with 8 ohm 89 db efficient bookshelf speakers. This combination, too provided enough volume for any type of listening.

When the TABOO was combined with the CSP2 preamp it was astounding. Not only the volume but the weight and authority was enhanced.

I don't think that you could get a lot of volume with a low voltage source such as an ipod with the TABOO.

Title: Re: Taboo vs SE84C
Post by polarbear9988 on 02/26/12 at 05:05:20

Hi Rivieraranch,

Thanks for all of your inputs and sharing your experiences on Taboo! My concern is that Taboo may not sound noticeably lounder than my SE84C with a normal source (2v). According to Steve's reply (thank you Steve!) above, it seems like that may be the case.