Howdy all,
I guess my login from the old forums didn't translate to this one...it's been a long while since I've been around here.
Anywho, I'm an old skool Zen addict with an original Zen amp. I've popped by Steve's house a few times when he lived on Spring St. (I think that's what street it was), and had my first "Zen" moment there in his private listening room (wall to wall diffusers and an early Zen into a $300 Denon CD player into sand filled two ways with caps and alligator clips hanging out the back ;D). I listened to Van Halen “Mean Streets” (odd choice, but I had it with me and WOW!), while Steve went out for lunch and left me listening...I was in such a state of trance listening to this 3d and truly holographic sound that he had to lay his hand on my shoulder and shake me to wake me up!
Anywho, I've not been listening in years...small apartment, crazy neighbors...and unfortunately severely declining hearing. I still have my old (serial #65) Zen amp, but gave my tubes to a friend (who has #79 I believe) since he was in need. Since I've recently purchased my first house, and I have some room to work with (very small rooms unfortunately) and can play as loud as I want, whenever I want...well, I'm hoping I can find my way back to that musical Zen state that I had at Steve's place (and have yet to recreate).
I have to admit...I was at Steve's shop when he was first getting it open (probably moved or improved since then), and the listening experience I had there wasn't 1/10th what I had at his house...(no offence Steve, I figured you just weren't dialed in yet). But I'd really like to get back into listening, not just to music, but truly 3d holographic Zen-state listening.
All I have to work with to get back into listening is:
An old Zen 84A (I liked the A better then the B, not sure about the C, never heard a Select). With no tubes...though I might have a rectifier from my guitar amp building.
I have an old Denon CD player...I forget the model but it's one of the big 20+lb models with solid copper chassis. I'm pretty sure it's not a bad player.
And I have some room in the basement (drywall, plaster, wood, carpet on concrete slab low ceilings...bla).
I have no interconnects or speaker cables besides your basic Monster stuff which I am fully aware is junk. I have no speakers (sold them when I was in need).
OH! I almost forgot...I've got a couple diffusers and two of the old skool (coffin shaped MDF filled with bubble wrap and acoustic insulation) bass traps. But not enough to make a big dent in the sound.
I don't have much money, but I'm very crafty. I can build diffusers, I can make my own wires, I can build my own speakers (if I have plans). I have some basic tools.
Anyone (Steve?), can you give me some suggestions on how I should build up a proper, holographic listening setup, with what I have and on a budget? I know speaker selection, caps options, wire quality has all improved. I'm sure Steve's products have been more refined over the years...but I'm just not sure where to start! I really want to get back to that aural Zen-state before my hearing gets so bad that I won't be able to hear the music anymore. :'(