I notice there is one on Audio Mart:

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650306020-decware-zstage-in-excellent-condit...

Check out the Musical Paradise MP-DX MK2. There are a lot of positiver reviews.

Beautiful setup!!  I’m currently enjoying a pair of my fully modded SE84C+ in a monoblock configuration. I’m sure the UFO25’s sound amazing!!

Quote:


In terms of your ZRock…I would suggest your Mullard NOS.  I just replaced my Amperex Holland Pinched Waist 7062 tube with a NOS Mullard Blackburn 12AU7 and it was a nice change.  The 7062 puts out a bit more gain than the 12AU7, so on vinyl I enjoyed that added gain.  The 7062 was faster, detailed, great for the top end.  But… the Mullard gave me great beautiful midrange  with more realism and natural tone.  It was slower but not in a bad way.  

Now with my CSP preamp…I am running a pair of NOS RCA smoked glass 6SN7 output tubes.  This tube is very transparent with great dynamic range with that nice lush midrange and expansive soundstage.   Hopefully this helps a bit.

Excellent discussion! As someone with no room treatment currently, there is a ton of great insight and information to get me started down the rabbit hole.

I’ve got a Schiit Bifrost 2 but love the flexibility of swapping tubes to tweak the sound. I’d like to stay under $2000 and am open to buying used. Really love an organic, full sound.

What would be your upgrade path recommendation?

Trying to put together my hit list. Appreciate your insights!

Both but if you can only do one of the choices my money is on the DGR with a sluggo.  But that’s just me and I have not heard SRA cables. Another suggestion is to try using a nice 12AT7 tube in your ZRock 3.  It added more liveliness and a fuller tone and depth to my mix.  I use a ‘70’s Tungsram that really added some extra flavor…yummm!

Hello all, love the comments.... some more info...

I had previously used a Holo Audio Spring 2 with Kitsune 3 upgrades, which was nice, but I realized it felt a little bit shrouded and muted in my system. I just got the Soulnote D1, which is much more energetic and have been enjoying it a lot...

I recently tried the following:

-Duelund Capacitor 0.01uF 630Vdc CAST-Sn/Cu Series Tinned Copper Foil WPIO
Burned in on a frybaby for 4 days, In Parallel with my main Crossover Capicitor

-VCap main capacitor in crossover (Mundorf SGO is just too shrouded and kind in my setup)

-Duelund 16ga from crossover to my horn

I must say, there is surge of much welcomed tone and texture.

The soundstage hasn't collapsed as it had when I last tried duelund wire. I think all the other changes I have been making (telefunkten gain tubes, the decware zrock 3 and zbit 2, and the amperix d-getter on the power tubes) have kept the soundstage nicely far and wide.


Do you think from this point, that the biggest step forward would be the Dynagrid, or the Snake River Audio Takeshita Speaker Cables and driver wire?

Thanks all,
Richard

Congrats! They look beautiful.

$old!

System blows me away every single day. Pure bliss.

Ok I just completed comparing my Dynagrid with Shuguang Treasure Series 845 with a Super Sluggo to a very nice Stradi 5U4G.  Rest of my system remained the same.  I can definitely hear that the DGR definitely adds a much richer full sounding tone, more detail and texture with slightly more dynamics and an improved soundstage.  Everything sounds more lifelike and more engaging.  Also, I have found the right input tube in my amp also affects it’s tone.  I really enjoy PCC88’s.  Holland made Mullard, Siemens, Tungsram are favs.  That’s my story…

It's very hard for ME to answer that definitively as IMO those characteristics are also contributed to by so many other factors and systems can be so different. But my gut says yes, there will be a positive influence on those characteristics, just as some rectifiers are better than others, and to me the JR. just feels like the best possible rectifier for the SEWE300B (I haven't tried it in another component) and I have tried probably a dozen rectifiers in that amp, now gathering dust. So as the JR. seems so transparent and dynamic it makes sense to me that the tone and texture of the input signal would be faithfully transmitted.

I am also curious, for those with the Dynagrid... what is the effect the Dynagrid has on tone and texture? I am under the impression that it mainly is transparent, with a dramatic effect on soundstage and bass.

Will the dynagrid contribute to more soul, texture, and tone, with my system?

thanks,
Richard

Eventually got round to putting these on Ebay if anyone wants to check them out.

I was very frustrated that i could not find the additional Graphene Sluggo I have somewhere here to try in the JR. I contacted Mark because the Verafi Audio website will not accept payments currently, and he arranged to sell me one--I have nothing but good things to say about dealing with Mark. Looking forward to trying that in the JR. probably late this week.

I'm of a different philosophy system wise from some of these others recommending. I will add on tube types:  try Tung-Sol black glass 12AU7 and the GE "Smokey" 6DJ8. These give a rich sound especially together in my SEWE300B.

I think you'll really like the Dynagrid Jr. It really responds well to tuning and will influence the whole system. I think you are beyond the KISS status (I don't think that is a bad thing as I used to ascribe to that philosophy but really have found much more happiness beyond it) and can settle down to a listening world for a while before making further changes. You have solid bones.

Be careful what you ask for  ;). You have a very nice system and have made some excellent choices of upgrade changes. “Not much more to improve” are famous words that never seem to resonate.  My experience is clean power and the source are what made the biggest impact on getting the full sounding  tone that pulls you into the music.  In your case, I would look into doing optical isolation between your router and streamer.  I have a Sonore set up but an easy one to setup that is returnable.  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D7ZWLW2G?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallbac... I would also look into upgrading your DAC as Donnie suggested to a R2R.  I absolutely love my Mojo Mystique X NC. Gustard R30 I have as well can’t be beat for its price. Rectifier would be next.  I have a Dynagrid Jr. with an upgraded Shuguang Treasure series 845, a GEC U52 family rectifier and Stradi 5U4G.  All made a big improvements for me. I do like your idea of Snake River Speaker cables.  Everyone raves about them.   I have settled on the Decware ZSTYX speaker cables after trying Duelund 10ga tinned copper, Goertz ribbon and Veritas Aperta SE most recently.  Veritas just came out with a new flagship Ultima series with 30 day free trial and happy customers.  Ok that’s probably more than you wanted … These are just recommendations that worked for me, on my system, in my rooms with my ears.  Good luck in your journey!

Make your signal path as simple as possible and replace your amp’s caps with Miflex KPCU, source from Sonicraft and go for level 3 matching.

Much of this is pretty subjective. For example, I haven’t found any meaningful upgrade from SRA cables over basic Decware cables. I always think it’s best to focus on your goals and what you think you’re missing rather than someone else’s selection.

The complication of having a crossover in your speaker may be having a larger impact on what you are hearing than cable and tube choices.

I'd recommend a R2R DAC.

Yes, I am on the list now for a hopefully soon to manifest Dynagrid Jr. Glad to hear it adds tone ontop of the soundstage....

The power cable on the amp is the Decware v3 (for some reason now presently sold?). The amp is also running a graphene slugo on a swiss fuse box, and running through an Angela Gilbert young XF 300 conditioner, hooked up through a Shunyata CX Helic cord, through furutech rhodium outlets, on a dedicated curcuit. (writing out this sentence proves I've lost a few marbles...!)

The rectifier is a SOPHIA ELECTRIC 5U4XL Mesh Plate. Its a new version from them as my older Sophia Electric rectifiers arced...

What is the RS Audio CF-1 and MF-1?

thank you all for your brilliant insights!

Also, taking note of the +1 on Snake River Audio speaker cables.... do you think this is the right direction, and will be a big difference???

r.

What rectifier are you running? The Stradi 5u4g fits the texture and tone spot for me.

I don't have experience with the Dynagrid Jr. I do have a Space Tech Labs STR running 845s so competing options. I love what the STR brings and my guess from others reports in the Dynagrid Jr. will bring you great texture and tone while keeping the expansive sound stage.

What does your power situation look like? Adding a RS Audio CF-1 and MF-1 might also get you there. I was shocked at the difference they made in my system. They are addictive and I've added more, up to 4 CF-1 and 3 MF-1.

I'm a big fan of Snake River Audio Cables. Once and awhile I've tried other cables even ones 2x or more money and stayed with the SRA cables.

Hello dear musical mystics,

I have spent some time with my system over the past few years…. I am looking to make final tweaks in order to obtain what I perceive to be last little bit of tonal soul, texture, glow, while retaining the expansive soundstage and presence which seems present in my current setup…

How to get the last bit of tone, texture, glow, and instrumental essence?

System:
Nagra Streamer —> Cardas Clear Coaxial —> Soulnote D1 DAC —> Silversmith fidium —> ZBit 2—> Silversmith Fidium —> Zrock 3 w/ telefunkten tube —> Silversmith Fidum —> Decware 300B w/ Telefunkten 12au7, Mullard NOS Voltage, Amperex E88cc D-getter power tubes, WE 300B —> Anticables Flex 4.2 Speaker Cables —> Mundorf SGO Cap —> Anticables Flex 4.2 to 15” Woofer and Horn.

I feel I have really maximized the soundstage and speed and extension… in my pursuit of texture and tone I’ve tried the following:

1: Duelund 16ga between my crossover and horn: Promising, but the soundstage and presence collapsed a bit

2: Duelund Tinned Copper Foil Cap in parallel with my main cap in the crossover … effect TBD as it is burning in…

3: VCap in place of Mundorf SGO Cap: I enjoyed the VCap with the Duelund wire to my horn, and have been going back and forth… the Mundorf begins to feel too soft at times, even though its sensuous and glorious

I and considering the following, please tell me what you all think of these strategies:

-Snake River Audio speaker and crossover-driver Wires: From what I gather this may be a lovely solution to keep the best of both worlds: texture and tone with space and soundstage and speed… what do you think of this? I am beginning to suspect the anti cables throughout is too lean and dry for my tastes / system

-Tube rolling… I have other gain tubes available, which I will roll….  Radio technique, RCA, Bugle Boy, Mullard NOS…. Any suggestions?

Thank you all for your advice!
r.

We own a set of Klipsch HeresyII's. We've had them for many years and are stored inside their original boxes in our shop. I just never could sell them. Loved em! I have never listened to them through a tube amp like our Zen UFO though. We changed to a set of Klipsch Chorus II's in 1998 (in boxes too) or so have never had a desire to change them out. I do have a 12 inch 2003 HSU VTF3 , front firing sub hooked up too via the speaker binding posts on Zen into speaker level back of sub.. Yes it still works fine! We purchased it new in box as well. I like a bit more bass on certain recordings, but level is turned way down/even sounding. Very nice! Not changing anything!
Good job on the Heresy's! I had heard they are a great match too...   We still listen to our Zen amp almost every evening. And It is definitely among our best purchase in our lives. All the best.. a stormy evening in SW Montana~ strike on next property from us

My immediate thought was the LP box set from CBS France of the complete Duke Ellington and his Orchestra 1947-1952. Decades ago I had found the 5 cds that CBS France had put out after this set, but never thought I could afford the LP set. Then one day something made me look on discogs.com one more time and I found a ridiculously priced set that I just hoped was in as good a shape as advertised. . . and it was totally unplayed as far as I could tell. I love this music, and the LPs sound really good--as do the cds, and so I have options to rotate. I really was very happy to land this 6 LP box set! I have an emotional connection to Duke's music--one of my Dad's Ellington LPs really touched me deeply in my youth, and I've been collecting Ellington all my adult life.

Tell us your most recent emotional vinyl purchase.  I’d like this thread to serve as springboard for vinyl lovers to talk about what drove them to buy a specific vinyl album.  It would be great to hear your experience.  

Here’s my recent purchase.

It all started for the love of baseball. I grew up playing baseball and was an avid Yankee fan.  My daughter’s Acapella group from school was invited to sing the national anthem for this past Wednesday’s baseball game at Yankee Stadium.  Due to telecommunications and temporary power outage… I unfortunately decided to keep her home which broke me as a parent as I planned to attend the game.  Fast forward to the Netflix live streaming of the Phillies and Twins baseball game at the Field of Dreams Stadium in Iowa.  To watch one of my all-time favorite Yankee players Don Mattingly manage this game with his son sitting as the VP and GM was just fitting for the venue, especially if you know the theme behind the classic “ Field of Dreams” movie with the father son connection.  

Needless to say I just bought the Field Of Dreams original motion picture soundtrack on Novus Records scored by the legendary James Horner.  The original was only released for a short time and is limited.  I had no interest in the official reissue, so I’ll give my impressions when it arrives.

Looking for a Z stage please PM me or email me if you have one you would like to part with thank you

In reading more about this topic I am surprised how many people are converting from Ethernet to fiber and then back to Ethernet if their streamer doesn’t have a fiber input, just to get the isolation. I never considered this prior to having the fiber option. Kind of goes against my K.I.S.S. approach- but interesting nonetheless.

Reading online discussions it seems the Sonore media converter is the sweet spot for SQ vs price and diminishing returns. I may go there eventually. Still waiting on a fiber cable.

I think it's the speaker cable change. Those Mapleshade are pretty darned good. I have the "Plus" version in my audio/visual system.

I did a bunch of work around my house this morning and just came in to eat some lunch.
To shake up my listening I just fired up my Amp Camp Amps as mono blocks, slid my oak single drivers up front and fired up my Fiio Ultra running into my Denafrips DAC. Well things are really sounding good, the soundstage sounds 10 foot wider than the speakers and waaaayyy deep.

I was kinda confused because that combination before wasn't even close to being this good.
Then I thought about it and remembered that I had changed the speaker cables to some Mapleshade Double Helix from some Blue Jeans cables.
Is that what opened it up? Heck if I know, but I'm enjoying it.
I'm not a huge believer in the whole wire thing but maybe....

Thanks Bob. For starters I’m just buying the converter and transceivers Lumin recommends, or list as compatible- mostly since I have no idea what I’m doing. I did find a Stan Warren LPS for the converter. Once I have assessed the difference in SQ I may explore a deeper dive but this initial testing of the waters only has me in $100. All I’m waiting for is the theoretical easiest part- the fiber cable hasn’t arrived yet. I’m not too upset because I recently made some other changes to my system that I’m getting used to so I’d like a little more listening time anyway before introducing something else. Ah, first world problems.

I have an LHY SW-10 mated by an LHY FMC (fiber optic to media converter).  My streamer is connected to the LHW SW-10 so my home fios provided router is completely isolated to my audio streamer/dac setup.  It made a world of difference in sound.  So maybe the LHY FMC or some other brand may be another option to look at.
Bob

The Super Sluggo has really shown its potential this morning.

The sound is fuller and more dynamic than my favorite fuse. Wow. There was just a touch of dryness with the fuse that is no longer here, which is welcome.

That’s awesome, Geno! Glad they were a good fit for you. This journey is never ending, is it? Good luck with the sale!

Hah! Thanks James. I think that's true for me too. I know there's short protection and a cutoff if short is detected. I guess it wouldn't be too bad to give the adapters from either vendor a try. Appreciate the response!

Hey MM.

Yep, something clicked with the Altecs I got.

I thought I was an open baffle guy until the end, but the Altec/Decware(or Sansui)/My room combo is better - to my ears anyway...but what do i know - I can be as fickle as a little schoolgirl

Geno

I’d love to hear these but it’s not in my plans to change speakers anytime soon.

I am really curious what direction you’re heading now, Geno. Horns?

While theoretically possible it is highly unlikely you would fry your tube tester. The most likely failure mode for an adapter is a short, and most testers will safely test for those before testing the actual tube. And in general tube testers are designed to deal with bad tubes.

Found a pair of Tataksuki TA 300b.  Still looking for 2Wathen 300bs thank you

The Super Sluggo has settled in and is quite impressive. I do hear the "silent background," there is a bit more quiet with it than with the Audio Magic fuse. The music moved forward a little but there is a hint of more inner detail that shows up in the resonance of an instrument and its little pocket of sound. Nice!

Wondering how the Graphene will sound in comparison. Perhaps next week I will get to that listening session. . . .

That’s a good idea, Hereafter. I’ll see if I can find a seller that will make me a dual output lps that meets the power requirements for both devices.

I'm listening to the Super Sluggo in my Dynagrid Jr. thanks to the one that Tony leant me.

If I were coming from a stock fuse it would be a big upgrade. It's a subtler upgrade from the Magic Audio fuse I'm using but still a nice little bump in several ways.

I forgot to mention that I also recommend adding a Linear Power supply to your Modem and Router.   Mine is a combined all in one unit but I also have a second mesh router.  I use a LPS with dual 12v inputs similar to this one in my link with positive results.  
https://www.amazon.com/SOLUPEAK-Audiophile-Desktop-Regulated-converter/dp/B0G1TV...

Donnie,

By the time the Caterham with the Ford Engines came on the scene, they were supposedly more reliable than the original Lotus 7’s.  I was in a Caterham as a passenger at the racetrack, and it blew my doors off how well they handled.  Definitely a raw sports car for sure.  I’ve tracked my Lotus Esprit…and it’s way more refined but a different experience.

I’ve owned various Toyota’s for the past 30 years, and absolutely love them.   The are bulletproof IMO.  I used to tow my Yamaha Wave Raider with an old Camry, and it ran for like 180,000 miles.  My current Camry and Highlander both have over 100k miles, leak no oil, consume zero antifreeze, blow cold air, and run great.  Toyotas for the win as well.

225 free shipping CONUS.  Also listed on Reverb, if buyer wants buyer protection - I have 6 years of 100% multi transactions there.  Price is a touch higher there for fees.

Hearafter wrote on 08/05/26 at 01:24:04:

Today I received a Super Sluggo that Tony has leant to me (and tomorrow should see the arrival of one that I bought from Art). I popped it in and I think I had the right direction chosen and am very pleased listening.

I am hearing something similar to Hearafter, what I am most surprised by is that the soundstage seems to be a bit further back behind the speakers--a situation I always enjoy, that I prefer to a more forward presentation. The treble seems a bit smoother and the mid bass a bit fuller. These are all positive changes I welcome.

I'll continue to let this configuration get some time and play and then will try to extract from my downstairs system the Graphene Sluggo (replacing it with the Super Sluggo I purchased) and see what that brings. . . .

I have the benefit of having essentially a dedicated internet connection to my streamer. The line coming into my home goes straight to a WiFi router with only one network connection going to my streamer. The only WiFi traffic on the router is my phone which is used for telling the streamer what to play.

In my limited understanding of this whole thing I am guessing this is good. I’m hoping using the fiber port on my streamer will provide isolation for whatever is coming out of my router, and if I get a LPS for the magic box that converts the Ethernet to fiber I’ll be addressing another weak link in the chain. But I’m also prepared to be wrong.

Hi Friends,

Apologies for the necro thread. Sorry, new guy around here, but was reading up a little about the 807 to 6l6 adapters you've all had some experience with at this point. I had a bad experience with some built adapters recently where the builder left some flux on the pins and/or inside and it fried a channel in my amplifier. Is there a consensus about what adapter is actually working for you folks? I've been thinking about those Maximatchers, but they're for a tester, correct? Have they held up over the course of the few years since this thread? I have a bench tester as well, so assuming I picked up a Tubeman set, popped it into my tester, fired it up....the worst that could happen is fry the tester? Which...presumably is better than frying my amp . Thank you!

Dom,

I actually owned a Caterham 7 back in the late 90's.
It was a beater mid 80's build with a Ford 4 cylinder in it. It was interesting to say the least. As fragile as a 2 minute egg, built with all of the quality that British cars are known for, that is to say none!

I traded it for a beater Porsche 911 that was a money pit all on it's own.
Good times!

My last car was a Porsche too, never again! Toyota Land Cruiser now for the win!

I have fiber coming into my house with VERIZON Fios.  The ONT coverts the fiber to an electrical signal.  After it hits my Verizon router, it goes to my 24 port POE Ubiquiti Network Switch utilizing the SFP port that feeds all 24 ports.  

So far so good but then sadly the home run line up to my rack has another 8 port Ubiquiti switch.  While I tried to avoid that…I had no choice because that feeds my laptop, my streamer, my CD player, a security camera, a Wi-Fi extender, and my Sonos subwoofer.

What I can say is that before I use the SFP port… The signal was fine, but I do feel that the SFP port did help with a blacker background… I can’t say by how much but the sound just seemed a bit different.