Never heard the Zen "C", but, I'm currently using a Zen Select to drive a pair of diy BLH's, w/ 126 drivers. I've also got a TA-10.1
The Select makes these speakers sing. The TA-10.1 is surprisingly good, and drives the same speakers very well, but there's really no contest if absolute , non fatiguing musicality is your goal.
As stated many times, the addition of a good tubed pre makes both the Zen and the Trends that much more enjoyable, IMHO !
                                                                                                                   Don

But will an Original Zen C have the same bass response like the TA-10?

/Mrbegnt

mrbegnt wrote on 06/07/07 at 17:40:11:



Wrong question!  Will the TA-10 come within a light year of a SE84's midrange performance?  The BULK of musical info. is in the midrange.

BTW, SE84 bass performance is not shabby.

The TA 10.1 makes music, and yes, the bass is tight and "dry", I like its presentation. The fact that it's also more powerful than my Select also factors in.
That being said, Eli's post is well put, in that the Zen's overal "musicality" always draws me into listening to "just one more"! It's hard for me to dissect the music it makes, it just sounds good!
                                                                                                                            Don
 

I can directly say the Trends TA-10 is definitely nice as a cheapie or a place holder, but doesn't come anywhere NEAR the lucidity of my SE84CS.

If  mid and high range lucidity matters, then the zen is light years ahead. The zen has really nice quality bass, but a rapper or Metallica fan probably wouldn't get off on it. On the other hand, I prefer to hear the overtone structure of pianos, strings, winds and voice with the best possible transparence and musicality (classical music listener, here, if you didn't notice), and would gladly give a slight amount in the bass for that.

I got a trends amp for a garage system where it won't matter so much, where I might even need to rig up a battery arrangement to power it. The Trends amp DOES have a little punchier thump in the bass and acceptable mid range (again, it's a nice cheapie), but it ain't no way a comparison to the SE84C or SE84CS in the rest of the audio spectrum.

A *straight C* would be just ever so slightly different in presentation from my "CS", but not by gigantic amounts. My CS is most likely just a tad bit more aggressive sounding than the straight "C", although I've never compared them directly.

Karl

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Many have said this is a very good thing. There are several posts that speak to upgading. I have in the past upgraded coupling caps with a noticeable improvement.

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I have a CSP in front of my Select and it is very good. A friend whose ears I trust has told me the GG is very good indeed but for now I am happy with the CSP. I do think the CSP improves the sound with the Select more so than it does in front of the EV Carina. AAMOF I prefer the Carina without the CSP.  I am rambling now.

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Will not touch that with a 10 foot pole.