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EQUIPMENT FORUMS >> SE34I.5 >> REAL WORLD PICTURES OF SE34I.3 AMPLIFIER
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Message started by Rivieraranch on 07/03/12 at 14:40:57

Title: REAL WORLD PICTURES OF SE34I.3 AMPLIFIER
Post by Rivieraranch on 07/03/12 at 14:40:57

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I ordered mine with a gold knob, thinking it would be a round knurled gold metal knob. This hideous gold tone plastic chicken head knob has got to go. A black chicken head would look a lot better. Otherwise the unit looks superb in person.

Title: Re: REAL WORLD PICTURES OF SE34I.3 AMPLIFIER
Post by Lord Soth on 07/03/12 at 15:49:26

Hi Rivieraranch,

Yes, I agree with you.
The round gold metal knob (also on my CSP2+) looks much nicer than the "Chicken Head" gold version.

I do hope that Steve monitors this post and reverts back to the usual "round" gold head. ;)

Title: Re: REAL WORLD PICTURES OF SE34I.3 AMPLIFIER
Post by Rivieraranch on 07/03/12 at 17:48:58

I took the day off of work today. At around 9:00 I turned the amp on, mowed the lawn and returned. I had a Stan Getz disc on repeat all morning. I turned the volume up until the meter needles began to quiver, right at 3/4. It is loud enough but not ear splitting.

The picture below is how I see the amp from my sitting position. It looks clean on top.

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Title: Re: REAL WORLD PICTURES OF SE34I.3 AMPLIFIER
Post by Rivieraranch on 07/04/12 at 02:54:59

With the CSP2+ preamp connected to the SE34I.3 the sound has acquired more weight and authority, similar to when you connect the CSP2+ to the TABOO or ZEN. With the preamp you can get more volume out of the unit without the power tubes running into distortion. The gauges are steady when the RACHEL is wide open and the preamp is controlling the input.

Title: Re: REAL WORLD PICTURES OF SE34I.3 AMPLIFIER
Post by Steve Deckert on 07/07/12 at 22:20:18

Boy I guess... the hideous gold knob I just discovered a whole bin full of them... an obvious mistake on our end. Someone ordered the wrong gold knobs apparently. Just contact Sarah and she can send you out a black or cream colored one or a standard knurled gold knob.

Sorry about that...

So, how is it sounding to you by now?

btw, the owner's manual is now online.

Steve

Title: Re: REAL WORLD PICTURES OF SE34I.3 AMPLIFIER
Post by Rivieraranch on 07/08/12 at 01:12:02

After running the amp 5 hours on/5 hours off for a week, I left it on all yesterday and today. It has come into its own sound. I have been playing a Jane Monheit disc and Stan Getz, The Lost Sessions. The vocals have that same kind of presence as with the ZEN amp, goose bumps and hair standing up on the back of your neck. The instrumentals have a nice quality, some notes linger in the air a while. I am using the CSP2+ to better control the amp. It seems that this way I can get more weight and volume out of it without clipping.

This product is a real home run. It has a nice clean look while at the same time effecting a science fiction air with the gauges. I am spoiled by all the DECWARE I have. All I can say is that this new amp can proudly hold its place in the lineup.

Title: Re: REAL WORLD PICTURES OF SE34I.3 AMPLIFIER
Post by clowkoy on 07/11/12 at 08:30:23

The gold, knurled knob that came with my Taboo was a friction-type, low-quality one that wobble when you turn. I replaced mine with a Japanese-made, solid brass with set screw for around $7.

Title: Re: REAL WORLD PICTURES OF SE34I.3 AMPLIFIER
Post by Rivieraranch on 07/11/12 at 23:26:51

There are a lot of knob options out there, from cheap Radio
Shack plastic thingies to exotic ones.

Title: Re: REAL WORLD PICTURES OF SE34I.3 AMPLIFIER
Post by Lon on 07/12/12 at 00:10:54

I've grown quite fond of the white chicken heads on my Torii Mk III.

Title: Re: REAL WORLD PICTURES OF SE34I.3 AMPLIFIER
Post by Morganc on 07/13/12 at 06:22:10

Which options did you order Riviera? I'm considering changing my order as I just got the base model with a single volume pot with a single input. Is that the same model that you have? v Caps?

Title: Re: REAL WORLD PICTURES OF SE34I.3 AMPLIFIER
Post by Rivieraranch on 07/13/12 at 13:18:58

Single volume control, one input, regular caps. I find that this is fine for me. I envisioned using the unit with a preamp, thus multiple sources connect to the preamp, and the preamp to the unit.

Title: Re: REAL WORLD PICTURES OF SE34I.3 AMPLIFIER
Post by hifitubes on 07/17/12 at 19:08:56

No speakers yet : (

Title: Re: REAL WORLD PICTURES OF SE34I.3 AMPLIFIER
Post by Lon on 07/17/12 at 20:01:39

Looks really nice! Congrats!

Title: Re: REAL WORLD PICTURES OF SE34I.3 AMPLIFIER
Post by markv on 07/18/12 at 02:22:25

Hifitubes -

What finish did you purchase? Love the grain!

Title: Re: REAL WORLD PICTURES OF SE34I.3 AMPLIFIER
Post by hifitubes on 07/18/12 at 13:16:51

Thanks Bob did a great job on this with Black Limba. So many to choose from I just had to pick something, and wanted something a little unique.

I splurged on a EML Mesh 5u4 as all I had was a 5V4 here to try as well. We'll see how they compare. I should get a cheap Shug. 5U4 as well.

Title: Re: REAL WORLD PICTURES OF SE34I.3 AMPLIFIER
Post by ZYGI on 07/18/12 at 21:30:54

Thanks Jonathan...

Black limba wouldn't have been my first choice if I was just looking at veneers, having never used it before.

After seeing it on the base, I've got the craving to sell my birds eye HR-One's and do a pair in the black limba.

What doesn't show up in the picture is the little bit of curly figure in the wood. Which was stunning, to say the least. The veneer is tough to work with, if you looked at it wrong it would split.

Zygi

Title: Re: REAL WORLD PICTURES OF SE34I.3 AMPLIFIER
Post by deucekazoo on 07/18/12 at 22:10:29

Beautiful wood.

Hey ZYGI I will take the HR-Ones off your hands. ;D
I love the look of Birds eye maple.

John

Title: Re: REAL WORLD PICTURES OF SE34I.3 AMPLIFIER
Post by ZYGI on 07/19/12 at 03:25:27

Thanks John, but taking, comes at a price....

Title: Re: REAL WORLD PICTURES OF SE34I.3 AMPLIFIER
Post by hifitubes on 07/25/12 at 07:02:23

Something about the Black Limba caught my eye...I promise to get a better picture up asap. Lovely work and I can't wait to hear this Decware treasure...