Forgot to included this link that shows a cabinet used with the Lii Song drivers…
https://www.stereonet.com/forums/topic/528513-lii-song-fieke-s6-floor-standing-s...

How about a Lii Song fast 6 or silver 6 driver for a DNA build?  I have not used them but maybe others on the forum can give insight…

I've got a Sarah running with WE 300Bs, so I can give you a real-world measurement. With the tubes installed, mine stands just a bit over 9 inches tall at the highest point. The Cryotones are very close in height, only a small difference, maybe a few millimeters, nothing that would change clearance in any meaningful way. If your TV is going up on Friday, I’d leave yourself at least 10 inches of space just to be safe, especially considering heat ventilation.

Well I started looking around on all of the usual places for drivers that would work for your speaker project and boy oh boy, pickins look slim.

At Madisound I'm seeing the Markaudio Alpair 11 MS's would probably work, it is just a touch bigger in diameter, but would fit the face of the speaker baffle.

At Parts Express the pickings were just as slim. I saw the Dayton Point Source, but sure wouldn't recommend that to my worst enemy, total piece of crap.

Also at parts Express is a 5" Tang Band W5-2143 that is very interesting. I've had great luck with these drivers

I might spend some more time shopping around the less well known places and might find something interesting someplace.

I don't make any adjustments. By using them as mono amps, I have separate volume controls for the R & L channels. I can make that work like a balance control by increasing or decreasing the output to each speaker. I set each amp at the same volume and haven't needed to adjust from there. The sound is balanced.

Things change when using my CSP2 preamp. I get a "master volume" control. Now I can set the amp volume controls low or high and the preamp volume control high or low. This allows a finer control with how the system sounds. It can make a noticeable difference in sound quality working with these adjustments.

The 3 sets of speakers pictured all have high sensitivity ratings. This is considered vital for low wattage, single ended amps to get higher volume levels. A 2 to 6 watt amp can play at levels that will hurt your ears in a small to medium sized room with the right speakers. Listeners used to 100+ watt amps find this unbelivable until they hear it. The right speakers are part of the magic of the sound of Decware amps. Not only
can the music get loud, the quality of the sound can be unsurpassed.

The pictured speakers have sensitivity ratings of 95 to 103 db SPL (Sound Pressure Level) The number means how many decibles 1 watt can produce at 1 meter (3 ft). SE low watt amps work well with highly sensitve speakers of 90 db and up. The higher the number the easier the speakers are to drive.

Some good speakers for low watt Decware amps include Decware, Omega, DeVore, Klipsch, Caintuck Betsy, ZU, Lii Song and others. Be mindful of the Sensitivity. Some of the listed speakers get quite expensive but that doesn't mean you have to spend that for good sounding speakers that work with low watt amps.

I don't know if you are new to Single Ended low watt amps or not. Many people that are chasing the sound to find the highest quality reproduction stop with Decware or other high quality SE amps.

All I have written in this post are just my thoughts and my experience with my gear. Others may or may not agree with what I say or do. It's just my experience with what I have to work with. There's a lot of good people on this forum that know a whole lot about amps, speakers, tubes, turntables and many other types of audio gear. They can be quite helpful.

I hope this helps with your questions.
John

Tethered Moon "Chansons d'Edith Piaf" Winter&Winter cd

pianist Masabumi Kikuchi, bassist Gary Peacock and drummer Paul Motian

Grateful Dead  "Shakedown Street" Arista cd

"The Complete Keys to Ascension" cd 2 of 5 discs (4 cds and a DVD).

Snowing again. Ah well. It is winter in Geauga County Ohio.

Enjoying this new 2 cd release from Resonance of Rahsaan Roland Kirk recorded live at the Penthouse in Seattle, Washington on September 8 & 15, 1967, recorded from radio broadcasts with pianist Rahn Burton, bassist Steve Novosel and drummer Jimmy Hopps.

"Seek & Listen: Live at the Penthouse" disc 2

I would like to build the original version of the DNA to use with my Z-Kit amplifier , unfortunately none of the drivers recommend are currently in production. I do have a pair of Fostex 103EZ  But  according to Steve’s audio paper they are not a good fit. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

I also have a pair of 6DJ8 Ediswans for sale on USAudioMart:
https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650269996-matched-pair-of-ediswan-ecc886dj8-...
Chris

Very interesting John. Are you adjusting anything to compensate for the different power supplies with the B + C amps when running them as monos? Using them with the CSP2 pre? Also, I see several pairs of speakers in your system photo. Do these amps work particularly well with one pair of these speakers? Thanks again.

The Bugle Boys and Fivres are sold; thank you jbetanc!
The cost or the remaining tubes as a set is $80, and I will cover USPS costs.
Chris

Sold

Hi, sent you a pm

He was a master at “simple, space and sparse” and placement of notes and chords that just fit.  Not flashy in the guitar slinger style, which made him one of my favorite guitarists.

Sorry for the insanely large image; I can't figure out how to add the picture correctly.  If you right click on the image and select "open in new tab", the image opens in a viewable form...

The sale of my Torii MkIII has left me with a range of tubes for which I no longer have a use.

This is a tube-roller’s dream set includes:

4 Amperex Bugle Boy 6DJ8
2 Raytheon OB3A
2 English Valve Company CV 4080
8 NOS Russian (Reflektor, Voskhod, Foton) 6N23P
2 RCA OC2
2 Raytheon OC2
2 Fivre 5R4 rectifiers

Most tubes are unused; the Fivres and the Bugle Boys were used for a total of only a couple hundred hours.

I am asking just $175 for the whole set, and I will cover USPS shipping costs.

PayPal Friends and Family is happily accepted.

Check my uniformly positive feedback on Audiogon (Cporada), eBay (astro-chris), and USAudioMart (Flajpack1).

Thanks for looking!

Chris

A cold, clear morning. So quiet. . . the few around us are not going off to work this morning.

Decided to play one of the Goodman discs that I pulled out last week to listen to, Benny Goodman "The Complete 1937 Madhattan Room Boraodcasts, Volume 1" on Viper's Nest cd

There is a History of Revisions section on the SE84UFO page here:
https://www.decwareproducts.com/se84ufo

And from the SE84UFO2.1 Manual there is info on the CCE/Hazen Grid Mod found here:
https://www.decwareproducts.com/_files/ugd/f1f204_fb43ae67a68849fd877328d80e2860...
"We took the transparency a step further with what we call the Hazen Grid Mod, aka Christmas Comes Early Mod, where we couple the suppressor grid to the cathode through a capacitor adding great clarity to the tube by reducing stray electrons that typically bounce off the plate and reattach themselves in a different location due to the potential on the suppressor grid. This pushes this popular tube up the fidelity ladder even higher and as a result handles stray electron bounce better than expensive directly heated triodes like the 300B. Another advantage to using this output tube configuration is that it’s quiet. "

Hi Steve. Any news about the DNA610?
Thank you for your time!

gnarlydad

Here is the 2009 paper Steve's above quote on the mod comes from.

https://www.decware.com/newsite/paper145.htm

Here is a quote by Steve Deckert from a 2009 paper:
"Thanks to the creative mind of Mr. Hazen, my top solder guru, we have stumbled into a modification that can be applied to most Decware amplifiers. In all the years of typical mods and tweaks, we have never come across a more dramatic improvement in sound quality. It eclipses all of the usual attempts to make something nearly perfect even better. Things like; cryo treated tubes, coupling cap or resistor upgrades, silver wire, tube dampers etc., etc. The mod actually improves the coherency of true pentodes to a degree that you wouldn't even think it's the same tube."

Yes, there is both a B and C amp. These amps don't come on the market very often and after a long search, I found these 2. My idea all along was to run them as mono amps. Also, Each amp can easily be used as a stereo amp just by removing the input connection wire on the back and the orange and black speaker jumper wires. This will allow you to have 2 separate stereo systems but with less power than 2 amps in 1 system.

I hope this helps.
John

I am also an owner of Alan Eaton 45 Monoblocks.  I can’t comment on how they compare to a  Sarah, but they do give a really nice flavor change to my Aric Audio Super 300b set and Taboo MK 3.  All three amps sound amazing in their own different ways.  The 45’s really stunned me with how such a simple small design could sound so good.  It provides incredible air, clarity and such realism.  I have never heard sound so life-like.  Live music takes you on stage… Vocals, Jazz, blues, soft rock excel.  What it is missing a bit is weight and that full sound that just surrounds like my 300b and the Taboo.  The 45 just floats more between and above the speakers.  My 300b just gives you that clean, crisp deep bass tha fills the room more fully.  The Taboo really holds it own and surprises me each time I listen to it.  All three will be rotated between my 2 systems.  The 45 is able to power my Fritz monitors 87db with ease at 70db with no strain better than my Taboo. The Fritz monitors are an easy 87db with series crossovers and no caps.  Fortunately (or Un), I think you will have fun with both flavors instead of just one. Enjoy them both!

Like the Yankees had Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio and Mantle the German School of Pianists had Schnabel, Kempff, Gulda and Brendel. Who are all important pianists, but FTR the Germans are neither the last nor the only word in playing their own music. Regardless, I've had Alfred Brendel's early 60s recording of the Diaballi on my shelf for many years but never listened to it, until today.

Brendel has a reputation for cool intellectual playing (the German way) but here he is rather impulsive, and exciting as heck.   Alf himself claims he wasn't happy with his early recordings, but I like a lot of them a lot.



On CD from the Vox, Turnabout And Vanguard box.

Hi there, What is the Hazen / CCE mod for? Also, one of these appears to be a SE84B and one is a SE84C. Thanks.

SOLD

Another rainy / snowy day in SW Montana. Music is playing  [smiley=icqlite20.png]

Have a fantastic weekend~

"Dick Cary & his Tuesday Night Friends playing Dick Cary Originals" Arbor Jazz cd



I haven't played this one in a long time and that's a shame. I've always been a fan of whatever Mr. Cary played on either piano or horn, and this one where he has a lot of input is a joy to hear.

I feel like I was an early adopter of Joshua Redman back in the 90s, but then lost interest. I spun Freedom in the Groove up for the first time in a long time and it is pretty good.



On CD

Rahsaan Roland Kirk "Vibrations in the Village: Live at the Village Gate" Resonance cd

Ah, it's been too long since I had a new to me Kirk to listen to! Sound is quite good, performances as well.





Bass – Henry Grimes
Drums – Sonny Brown
Piano – Horace Parlan or Jane Getz of Mel Rhyne
Tenor Saxophone, Flute, Reeds [Stritch], Reeds [Manzello], Whistle, Vocals – Rahsaan Roland Kirk

Recorded live at The Village Gate, New York City on November 26-27, 1963.

Quote:


Technically kittens. AJ(male left) and Snoop(female right) were born at camp this spring. Feral turning into one of life's true wonders. A definite silver lining in a cloudy year.

Re-listening to this intriguing disc before re-filing it on the shelves.

Man it sounds good, really fine engineering.

Joshua Redman "Compass" Nonesuch cd

Joshua Redman – soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone
Larry Grenadier – bass
Reuben Rogers – bass
Brian Blade – drums
Gregory Hutchinson – drums

I've pulled out some Yes releases that I haven't heard in a LONG time. I forget how awesome Howe and Squire can be, and I've warmed up to White quite a bit.

"The Complete Keys to the Ascension" disc 1 of 5 (4 cds and a DVD).

A cold morning again. But no snow! I'm enjoying a break from shoveling.

This sounded so good yesterday I'm playing it again. Billie with Mal Waldron supporting her. Great stuff!

Billie Holiday "Lady Day : The Storyville Concerts" Jazz Door 2 cd set, disc 1

This disc recorded at the Storyville Jazzclub, Boston, Mass., Mid. April 1959, and 29 - 31. Oct. 1951

As I thought more about this video, I came to a realization.

I probably didn't understand what Danny was trying to convey because I was listening with wideband, crossoverless, single driver speakers.

I'm sure that important subtleties were missed, therefore confusing the true message that he was trying to get across.

My bad!

Good point, CA.

A very different take on The Diabelli. Andreas Straier's recording is relatively modern, from 2012, but played on a reproduction fortepiano similar to what Beethoven would have played (if he could hear) when wrote the piece. I'll admit that I find this recording more interesting than actually enjoyable. But it is very interesting, including some fortepiano specific effects.



16/44 FLAC download

Billie Holiday "Lady Day : The Storyville Concerts" Jazz Door 2 cd set, disc 1

This disc recorded at the Storyville Jazzclub, Boston, Mass., Mid. April 1959, and 29 - 31. Oct. 1951

(The second disc includes the sides with Stan Getz added).

When I watch youtube "review" videos these days it is increasingly hard for me to accept pretty much anyone's opinion without wondering how much they are looking for views and likes vs. sharing a sincere opinion/observation.

Nice cats JB!

This is a pair of vintage Decware SE84 amps from 2000 & 2003. They are set up as monoblocks. I would have used 2xSE84B's or C's but vintage SE84 amps are not commonly found on the market - few were made. These operate very well together.

As a pair they produce 6 watts and sound fantastic. One amp powers one channel so you have control to balance the 2 channels to your liking.

I estimate I've had these amps around 5 years. I personally upgraded them with the Hazen / CCE mod. In the pictures you'll see a small red capacitor. In the amp wiring you will see 2 of these capacitors in each amp soldered to the SV83 tube sockets. This is the mod. The amps are  simple and ready to connect as monoblocks. Either directly to the amps or through a preamp.

Pictured are the tubes shipped with the amps.
The 2 "winged C" , Svetlana 5U4GB (Russian 5U3C) are vintage New Old Stock from 1973 and 77.

The 4 power tubes are Reflector/Saratov SV83. 3 were made in 1987 and 1 in 1988. Purchased as NOS.

The 2 driver tubes are 6992 Sylvania USA military grade (JAN). Purchased as NOS.

I've been on this forum since 2018 and have posted only a few times.
My first Decware amp was bought used here. It's a SE34 1.2. I still have it and use it in rotation. It's pictured on the bottom shelf of my audio rack along with a CSP2 preamp. These SE84's are on the second shelf.
I've also purchased 2 new amps from Decware. SEUFO2's I also wired as monos.
Long time (1999) eBay buyer/seller with 600+ reviews @ 100% positive feedback.

Price is $1650 plus actual shipping cost. 1 box for each amp. Separate box for tubes at no cost shipping. Price includes Paypal / CC fees. I can accept credit cards.
Price discounted to $1600 for bank or personal check.
I will estimate shipping cost once I get boxes and weight. Lower US shipping only.

Thanks for your time, John

Every endeavor has trade-offs with various preferences on those trade-offs.

I am interested in the Custom speakers if still available.
Can you PM me?

Beethoven's Diabelli Variations, like his Grosse Fuge is a very late work that I think is more admired than actually listened to. It can be a daunting piece around which to wrap one's head, in part because the 33 variations are based on tiny aspects of Diabelli's theme like an interval or a rhythm and also contain a lot of "inside" musical jokes and allusions to other composers. But, it certainly rewards the time and effort required to climb this mountain of the piano literature, and I myself have recently gone deep down the Diabelli rabbit hole. Starting with Fredrich Gulda.



On CD.

Gulda has always been a controversial pianist, for a lot of reasons. But his Beethoven (and Bach) speak to me very directly and his transparent playing and fabulous technique certainly "clarify" the inner logic of the piece.

Sun Ra and his Arkestra "Supersonic Jazz (Expanded Edition)" Cosmic Myth 2 cd set, disc 1

This new mastering sounds wonderful.

Decided to break out the 4 disc Steven Wilson revisit of Yes "Tales from Topographic Oceans" and listen to cd 3, the alternate version of the album using studio run-through and live material. Wow. A great experience with the stereo in it's current form. Love this music!

Full moon, bright and vivid. We went to bed early, I woke up and couldn't go back to sleep, a lot on my mind, and some clogged sinuses. Firing up the system to get some early morning sound.

Re-visiting disc six of Bob Dylan "The Bootleg Series Vol. 18: Through The Open Window, 1956-1963" . . . . What a young force, real talent bursting out of him.

I did take the time to click on your provided link above Steve. As far as I can gather, you make good sense. I will have to play it again some other time to get the full gest. We have two new additions to our family (pictured below). At 7 months the siblings are a hand full. They distracted me a few times when watching the video and finally ended up in the catio. Must be the full moon that uninhibited their wild spirit! Anyhow, I loved your last sentence. It is so fitting of what is out in the market these days.

Another great one gone.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2gqd05geno