Forums - Print Page

Forums
https://www.decware.com/cgi-bin/yabb22/YaBB.pl
EQUIPMENT FORUMS >> ZP3 / ZMC1,2,3 >> Finally did it.
https://www.decware.com/cgi-bin/yabb22/YaBB.pl?num=1478363592

Message started by SonicSeeker on 11/05/16 at 17:33:12

Title: Finally did it.
Post by SonicSeeker on 11/05/16 at 17:33:12

Well I finally did it, I just ordered a ZP-3 today with Beeswax caps.
Story is I first stumbled across Decware when I was looking for a phono stage quite some time ago, so I called and talked with Steve and after a lengthy conversation he convinced me to sell all of my solid state gear and try one of his amps first. Well that was good advice for as great as my system sounded (I thought) it is so, so much better in it's current configuration, words cannot describe.
Now that I have most everything where I want it to be I am going to replace my solid state Phono stage so I can finally experience analog vinyl as it should be.

Title: Re: Finally did it.
Post by mark58 on 11/05/16 at 17:39:19

You'll love it! Welcome to the club...:) Mark.

PS...Now you can look forward to obsessing about what tubes to roll in it. When you get there, there are lots of impressions here.

Title: Re: Finally did it.
Post by Lon on 11/05/16 at 17:47:50

CONGRATS! As Mark says, you'll love it. The wait will be worth it.

Title: Re: Finally did it.
Post by SonicSeeker on 11/05/16 at 18:53:26

Thanks Lon, yes the wait again.
Mark, already am thinking about tubes, crazy obsession.

Title: Re: Finally did it.
Post by hdrider on 11/07/16 at 01:06:29

Sonic- Congrats!!! You will love the ZP3. Keep us posted on your findings when it lands. Happy listening, Chris.

Title: Re: Finally did it.
Post by SonicSeeker on 11/09/16 at 14:54:18

Well I ended up getting an offer from a forum member to purchase a used one and I pulled the trigger. I will be listening to some albums today and will give my impressions.

Title: Re: Finally did it.
Post by SonicSeeker on 11/09/16 at 15:06:04

Pic

Title: Re: Finally did it.
Post by Archie on 11/09/16 at 17:16:42

I wonder if you should flip the ZP3 around to get the transformer farther from the TT? I love the classic white!

Title: Re: Finally did it.
Post by SonicSeeker on 11/09/16 at 17:53:45

Does not seem to effect the sound either way.
I do have some dreaded hum, with or without turntable connectors attached. Only hear it between songs. a little distracting.
Switched a nos RCA 5y3g for a 1943 JAN RCA 5U4G and I think the 5Y3 sounds better.

Title: Re: Finally did it.
Post by SonicSeeker on 11/11/16 at 13:32:26

Well the hum was quite excessive with nothing connected (Phono inputs)..
Lifted the ground, moved it 4 feet from anything, replaced all tubes, tried several power cords and interconnects, no change.
Now on it's way back to the mother ship. :-/ :-[
But it did sound good.

Title: Re: Finally did it.
Post by Tripwr1964 on 11/12/16 at 01:38:55

Good to see a sota! What arm and ic? I've had some noise with both mm and mc/zmc. In both cases it was grounding related. Once right it's dead silent.

Might as well order a zmc while ur at it! Lol

Cheers

Title: Re: Finally did it.
Post by SonicSeeker on 11/12/16 at 14:40:23

My noise was with no turntable even attached yet.
I am currently using;
Ortofon 2m black mm.
Sumiko premier tone arm.
Ortofon tonearm cable.
Be a while before I can even consider the investment to jump up to MC.
That is a whole nuther rabbit hole my friend.

Title: Re: Finally did it.
Post by Tripwr1964 on 11/12/16 at 18:02:50

oh you don't have to tell me about those other holes... :)

so did this thing work correctly when previous owner had it?

be hard to mess one of these up during shipping. they are build like tanks. try other tubes?

Title: Re: Finally did it.
Post by SonicSeeker on 11/12/16 at 18:16:27

He says it did.
I tried everything that I could.
Talked with Steve and he agreed, so back to Decware for a look over.
My solid state phono pre is dead quiet.
Very simple set up, Turntable to zp3 to Torii Jr.
Noise as I said is with Phono not even in the mix.

Title: Re: Finally did it.
Post by jorgen on 11/14/16 at 09:15:41

A little OT maybe, but I'm using a 2m black with my ZP3. And I get some surface noise. Can I expect that a MC would be an improvement for this issue? I do enjoy this pu but I have been told that it is sensitive to surface issues. My ZP3 is very quiet, no hum, no issues at all. Except from the fact that it always want just one now record..

Title: Re: Finally did it.
Post by Archie on 11/14/16 at 16:35:27

When I used an Ortofon MM I went from an elliptical FL to a FG stylus profile and I was warned that surface noise would increase. I didn't notice any increase though. I think the Black is a Shibata so I don't know how that affects things. I went to an Ortofon MC with a FG profile and again, I didn't notice any increase in surface noise. I can't say that it's quieter than my MM cart (I just don't remember well enough) but most good vinyl will play without a pop or tic and backgrounds are "black" (quiet).

The benefit I got from moving to MC was greater detail and I think, a flatter response over a greater sound spectrum. The carts are expensive but I wont be going back to MM.

Lastly, I read a paper on phono stage design once that said that certain designs actually enhance noise through some kind of feedback whereas better stages will damp noise. I'm guessing, based on how quiet my vinyl plays through my ZP3 that Steve's design is the later.

Title: Re: Finally did it.
Post by Archie on 11/16/16 at 01:25:53

I dug up the article I mentioned in my previous post. I'm not sure how helpful it really is since it seems full of "marketing angle." Maybe some better versed in this subject can comment?

http://www.co-bw.com/Audio_All_about_phono_preamp.htm

Title: Re: Finally did it.
Post by SonicSeeker on 11/17/16 at 17:38:13

Well the ZP3 is on it's way back from Steve.
Apparently there was a bad RCA jack.
So while he had it I of course had him upgrade the caps to beeswax, upgraded the
circuit board to the current one, and upgrade to the silver RCA jacks.
Oh boy, just can't leave things alone.

Title: Re: Finally did it.
Post by Tripwr1964 on 11/20/16 at 23:19:20

it'll be well worth it! i love mine.

Title: Re: Finally did it.
Post by SonicSeeker on 11/22/16 at 23:13:13

The ZP3 just arrived back home.
Unpacked it and hooked it up.
No hum, YES!
Listening to Roxy Music Avalon it sounds just fantastic.
Now I get to enjoy breaking in the new caps and well, everything else he did to it, basically a new unit now.
God it sounds so three dimensional.
So very happy.
Like I said I found Decware when I was looking for a Phono stage and the journey took a turn to his amps first but now I finally have it.
So cool.

Title: Re: Finally did it.
Post by Syd on 11/23/16 at 18:10:40

I look at my ZP3 sometimes and think,. are you all right, do you want a tube changed yet ? :)
Amazing phono, lets the music breath.
Congrats !

Title: Re: Finally did it.
Post by mark58 on 11/23/16 at 21:57:45

Syd, funny you should say that. I can't remember the last time I rolled tubes in the ZP3. I used to do it frequently. I don't even remember what I have in there...I think a RCA Black Plate triple mica 5418 is that even the right number? And two Triple Mica Sylvania 5751s....I can't remember if they are the gray or black plate version...I have both. If you want the gray get the steel pin ones, don't waste your money on the "Holy Grail" ones with gold pins. The black plates are great too...a little less warm, more focused. Anyway, I'm in the Den listening to the monoblocks via the Zu Audio "Souls" a combo made in heaven :) Mark.

PS...have a Happy Thanksgiving...eventhough you're a Brit....haha

Title: Re: Finally did it.
Post by Tripwr1964 on 11/24/16 at 14:23:14

Roxy Music Avalon! good place to start.

good deal sonic. you are just getting started on this analog journey that will only get better built around the zp3 (that's been my experience).

like i said.... might as well order that zmc now so it ready when you are! lol

happy thanksgiving to all the yanks!

Title: Re: Finally did it.
Post by SonicSeeker on 11/24/16 at 15:48:32

Sounds pretty good but a little thin right now bass is way lower than treble at this point. I am sure it may take a little while for the unit to come around.
I am playing some thanksgiving music 2001 a space odyssey :)

Title: Re: Finally did it.
Post by SonicSeeker on 11/24/16 at 17:42:44

George Benson sounds excellent.
Happy thanksgiving tripwr1964

Title: Re: Finally did it.
Post by SonicSeeker on 11/29/16 at 20:16:08

Have about 25 to 30 hours on it now.
Seems to be coming around.
Fantastic detail.
Listening to Bab Marley right now and it really sounds quite amazing.
Some recordings definitely sound much better that other recordings, hoping it becomes a little more forgiving.
That's where the bottom end and lower mids filling in would help out.
Running all NOS RCA's for tubes right now, would like to try some Amperex white label or bugle boy 12AX7's at some point.

Title: Re: Finally did it.
Post by hdrider on 12/01/16 at 21:36:22

Sonic - I was so lucky to be home with a cold/cough yesterday and got to listen to a fair amount of records....While I don't advocate getting sick to stay home and listen to records and toss back Nyquil, it wasn't horrible. Happy listening, Chris.

Title: Re: Finally did it.
Post by SonicSeeker on 12/02/16 at 20:17:55

Chris, too funny.
I hope you are feeling better.
I work a split shift so I have about three hours a day of me and my vinyl time during the week.
Listening to some old Rod Stewart right now and it sounds excellent.
Did a little tube rolling today and things sound really good.