Forums - Print Page

Forums
https://www.decware.com/cgi-bin/yabb22/YaBB.pl
AUDIO FORUMS >> General Discussion and Support >> DECWARE Novice
https://www.decware.com/cgi-bin/yabb22/YaBB.pl?num=1610826887

Message started by kulafu on 01/16/21 at 19:54:47

Title: DECWARE Novice
Post by kulafu on 01/16/21 at 19:54:47

Hello,
I have been a long time SS person but have recently ventured into tube amps with my Forte IIs with an Elekit 8200-R. I loved it so much that when a couple of opportunities came up I snagged a pair of Cornwall IIs and a pair of La Scala IIs. These sound great with the Elekit but now they are in in storage pending my move to a house in Aug/Sep 2021 timeframe. They will be in a 16X20 room that is carpeted. I have been doing a lot of reading in these forums and have learned a lot but looking for advice opinions on choices and priorities. I am definitely getting DECWARE product(s). It is a question of when. I might be waiting for the next black friday unless the current deals offered by Steve make it more sensible to buy now. My thoughts on order of priority:
1. DECWARE Zen Triode 25th Anniversary
2. IC cables (Silver Reference or Studio Guide)
3. DECWARE high current power cable
4. CSP3
5. ZBIT
6. Zstyx speaker wire
I plan on hooking up two sources: Bluesound Node 2i w/RCA and an Rega P3 with Musical Fidelity M6 vinyl with XLR or RCA.
Apologize for the long post but I would really appreciate any advice from the great members of this forum. I am so tempted to buy 1-3 now but I wanted to hear from this forum first! Thanks in advance!
Bob

Title: Re: DECWARE Novice
Post by canonken on 01/20/21 at 04:44:36

Just talking out my you-know-what, but as a Node 2i user I would be skeptical of having all of this great gear and not having a VERY good DAC. It is a $500 unit with most of that money going into the software infrastructure to run it, not a crazy good DAC (reviews show it to be good, but not up to par with what you are planning).

The wait list for the Decware gear is crazy-long right now (370 orders as of making this post) which I think is about 6+ months. If you can swing it, I'd think about getting that gear on order, and worry about cables and such later (you can easily add, change those out).

At the very least, get that amp on order, you might get it when your house is ready. With that, the speakers, you will have a blast, and can take the time to get the other goodies sorted out.

I am not a DAC pro, but some of the stuff from Schiit or Denafrips (stuff from $100 to $1,000+) could be a nice starting point.

Title: Re: DECWARE Novice
Post by kulafu on 01/20/21 at 20:37:36

Thank you and appreciate it! I have read the great review by Steve with the Cambridge DAC so that is something to consider for the future. I have been reading more on this forum and elsewhere so should I perhaps consider a Torii Jr or the Torii MK4? Most recently, I just watched a video of the La Scalas and one of the two amps he mentioned that was a great match was the UFO2. I want the DECWARE product to be one of my final tube amps but choosing the right one has become harder than I thought. Any further advice or actual experiences with LaScalas would be greatly appreciated.

Title: Re: DECWARE Novice
Post by Lon on 01/20/21 at 20:47:22

My honest advice: get the SE84UFO25 if you can afford it. Should work perfectly with those speakers and it is the top of the line, the last rung on the ladder.

Title: Re: DECWARE Novice
Post by kulafu on 01/20/21 at 20:53:40

Thank you Sir!
Bob

Title: Re: DECWARE Novice
Post by Donnie on 01/20/21 at 22:13:27

And I recommend a Denafrips DAC.

I love my Ares II and throw rocks at most every other DAC out there.

I'm like that crazy guy on the old Andy Griffith show, Ernest T. Bass, throwin' rocks.

Title: Re: DECWARE Novice
Post by Eldergod on 01/20/21 at 22:33:29

Get on the list ASAP. My mid August order just turned to Testing today. I expect to get it in the next 3 weeks ish. That’ll put mine at nearly 6 months, and there were only 152 on the list when placed.

Title: Re: DECWARE Novice
Post by Showme on 01/20/21 at 22:44:09

I have Forte II’s and the SE84UFO25 amp and love the combo. I also have a CSP325 pre in front of the amp. It sounds great to me and certainly enough gain to suit me.

Title: Re: DECWARE Novice
Post by kulafu on 01/21/21 at 00:51:30

Thank you! I will check out the Denafrips DAC. I emailed Decware regarding timeline and flexibility on address delivery in the event I move before it is read to ship. Then I can place the order! I plan placing an order on a preamp after I try out the amp.
Bob

Title: Re: DECWARE Novice
Post by kulafu on 01/22/21 at 13:20:20

Just placed my order for SE84UFO25, Zbit and the DHC-1 power cable. Looking forward to this hopefully six to seven months from now. Thanks for the advice!
Bob

Title: Re: DECWARE Novice
Post by JohnnyB on 01/22/21 at 14:02:25

Bob, There's a meticulously cared for Torii Jr on Audio Mart that was posted a few days ago if you want to go that route. I have a SE84UFO2 pushing Omega Super Alnico High Output monitors at 97dB efficient and I'm nowhere near clipping this thing at normal listening levels in a very large space. You will not need more than the 2 watts of the UFO25 for any of the Klipsch speakers but the Torii Jr will give you more speaker options should you ever want to go in a different direction. Just an option to get yourself a great amp at a great price sooner than later. This looks to be a great deal and I wish i had the room and need for it myself. Welcome to forum and good luck with whatever you choose, can't go wrong with any Decware amp honestly.

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649696953-decware-torii-jr-plus-extra-tubes/

Thanks,
JohnnyB

Title: Re: DECWARE Novice
Post by JohnnyB on 01/22/21 at 14:04:39

I see that you just placed your order for the SE84UFO25, congrats!!

Title: Re: DECWARE Novice
Post by kulafu on 01/22/21 at 14:13:03

Johnny,
Thanks. I am looking at it now! Very tempting for my second decware amp while I am waiting! Lol!
Bob

Title: Re: DECWARE Novice
Post by JohnWatson on 01/22/21 at 14:27:19

Bob, I use a Cambridge streamer with Heresy III speakers. I had it running through the SE341.3 and it sounded great with plenty of volume. I added a Zbit and there was a very noticeable improvement. When I upgraded to the UFO25th, the sound went up to a level that I felt was end game for me. I don't use a pre amp, but I feel like this is as good as I could ever get. The DAC in the Cambridge streamers are very good. I use Decware connects.
In other words...you made the right choice to power your Klipsch speakers. If you have room for Klipschorns, they will blow you away with this combo! Best, John

Title: Re: DECWARE Novice
Post by kulafu on 01/22/21 at 14:29:23

John,
Thanks! Just the confidence booster that I need that I made the right decision!
Bob

Title: Re: DECWARE Novice
Post by JohnWatson on 01/23/21 at 11:57:00

I need to amend my statement a little. I do use the preamp section of the Cambridge 851 streamer. I just forget about it because it's integrated into the streamer. A Decware preamp is in my future though....after I finally decide which one to get!

Title: Re: DECWARE Novice
Post by kulafu on 01/23/21 at 13:44:39

John,
Which Cambridge 851 Streamer do you have that you are using as a pre? I have a Cambridge CXA 81 Integrated Amplifier that has preamp pre outs. Its DAC is ESS Sabre ES9016K2M, XLR and RCA inputs and is Roon compatible. I will also eventually got a Decware preamp but that is in the future and I wanted to see if I can use my CXA-81 as a pre to experiment and see if I even need it for the UFO25th.
Bob

Title: Re: DECWARE Novice
Post by JohnWatson on 01/23/21 at 22:49:40

I have the Azur 851N. "Twin Analog Devices AD1955 24-bit DACs". The preamp section is digital. Lots of good info on the Cambridgeaudio website. Everything gets upsampled to 24-bit/384kHz. It's the only streamer I've ever used and have had it about a year with no issues. I only stream Tidal because it's easy and has everything I need music wise.

Title: Re: DECWARE Novice
Post by kulafu on 01/23/21 at 23:42:07

Thank you Sir!
Bob

Title: Re: DECWARE Novice
Post by kulafu on 01/29/21 at 01:12:22

I am on the build list!
Bob