I took delivery of my new Mini Torii SE-X amp a few weeks ago. I bought it without tubes because I enjoy the hunt, so to speak. I had been buying tubes for it even before I put my order in so prior to its arrival I would have accumulated the tubes it takes. The monkey wrench in this plan was that my tube tester, sent for calibration in March, has still not been returned to me. I did not feel comfortable placing untested tubes in the amp. I was urged to try the amp with the tubes anyway even though I would have much rather tested all of them prior to placing them in.

The tubes are Sovtek 5881WXT; 1957 CBS OD3 voltage regulators; 1969 JAN Sylvania 6X4 rectifiers; 1960 RCA OC2 voltage regulators; and 1959 square getter Sylvania Baldwin 12AU7.  (The Sovteks and Baldwins had been tested already and the other tubes were NOS. The likelihood that one would have been bad was slight).  I have a pair of JAN Sylvania 6V6 tubes that I would like to try. Before doing that I want to obtain a pair of OA3 voltage regulators.

Once I figured out what all these gizmos were for and where to connect everything, thanks to the online manual, I was ready to turn it on. I connected it to my CSP2, opened the Torii's volume control all the way and used the CSP's gain control to regulate the volume. The gain pots on the CSP2 were turned up only moderately. I turned these pots up a lot more when using my Taboo. I tried the Torii with the CSP2 and without it. I ordered the amp with gold knobs to match my CSP2 instead of the standard retro "chicken head" knobs. That was a good move.

My first conclusion is that this amp does not need a preamp to come to a robust, or even ear shattering volume. It is written that it will handle an input voltage as low as 1 volt. The Taboo likes a 3 volt source. That is where the CSP2 comes in handy with the Taboo. It is not necessary with the Mini Torii.  I may revisit using the CSP2 with this amp, but I would have to do a lot of experimenting. For example, there may be a combination of a certain gain on the CSP2 with a certain volume level on both units that might be more pleasing than using the amp without the preamp. But again, this amp does not require a preamp.  

The quality of the stereo separation is noticeable immediately. In addition, although I have not listened to this thing at length, there seems to be added depth to the sound field. The imaging and focus is very tight and coherent. My speakers are Von Schweikert VR-1 Mini Monitors and with the amp they sound BIG. This is despite their 89db rating. The EX transformers in the Mini Torii SE-X drive the 8 OHM load well.

I do not have anything further to add at this time. I will post further impressions when I log more listening time. Of course, as with all DECWARE gear, it was carefully packaged and shipped timely. It was everything they promised. The unit works well with no problems of any kind, no hum or anything else undesireable.      

I listened to it some more tonight. I spun some discs from the Horace Parlan Mosaic set and also a good audiophile quality vocal recording, "Dinah Sings, Previn Plays."  The quality of stereo separation still is the most prominent thing for me at least. I have never had a dual mono unit or monoblocks so now I can appreciate what this design brings to the table.  

I continue to notice a greater depth of sound stage, more accuracy and presence within the stage. My Taboo has a nice soundstage and some depth but this Mini Torii outshines the Taboo in that department. I have used the "Dinah Sings" title as a reference to evaluate my systems and changes, along with a Diana Krall disc. I have not listened to any other vocals with this unit yet.  

I would like to get my tube tester back, test the 6V6's and install Mullard CV4024's (12AT7's) or 1950's JAN Sylvania 12AT7WA's in front to begin comparing tone. I recently bought a pair of Bendix 12AU7 tubes with heavy duty construction. They have the Sylvania 312 manufacturer code and 1958 date code so they were not made at Red Bank. I wonder how they'd sound. I also scored a pair of Winged "C" 6L6GC's with 1999 date codes. They were auctioned off on ebay as simply  "Russian Military Tubes" with lousy photos that showed only part of the tube. I could see that they were Winged "C" on account of the construction. I believe they cost only $9.99 plus postage. The cost of a new pair is about $50.00, so if these are any good I got a helluva bargain.  I just bought a Hickok 230 emissions tester for $84.00 postpaid. This will become my front line tester to rule out bad tubes before placing them into my Hickok 6000. If the 230 arrives before the 6000 I will begin testing with it.

There is truly a lot to evaluate with this unit and I am enjoying it.  

RR,

Thanks for the impressions.  I think you're going to have a lot of fun with this amp and tube-swapping!

Are those Monster Cable speaker cables?  I used to use cables that look like those years ago.  I have to say my system started to shine when I started using TARA Labs and then other cables (now someone will have to pry my Zen Styx from my cold dead hands!)

Cool. Looks very similar to the Monster Cable basic 12 gauage.

If you find yourself with extra cash and are wanting to experiment, I highly recommend the Zen Styx.  I never thought I'd like a cable with silver, but I wish I'd gone right there as soon as I could. Took a while to settle in but when it did it was so right for the system.

It is funny that you mention the Raytheon 6X4 with a wavy getter. I bought a fist full of 6X4's a couple of months ago in anticipation of landing this amp. I remembered that they were Sylvanias. I looked in the box of untested tubes today and noticed that 3 of them are NOS Raytheon yellow label tubes with the wavy getter. Are you convinced that these will sound better than the 1969 JAN Sylvanias I have in there now?

Are these Raytheons 1950's or 1960's?

You all made me do it. I am going to run the amp with Winged "C" 6L6GCs, Raytheon wavy getter 6X4W's and GE JAN 6189/12AU7WA input tubes. I have tested all of these and they are fine.

The only voltage regulators I have for the outputs are the 1957 CBS OD3's I bought. I don't know what effect the lesser voltage tubes would have.    

Not that anybody around here has been too interested . . .but I switched the 6L6GC tubes for JAN SYLVANIA 6V6's but have not extensively evaluated the sound. I have been busy with work and life, including sending back my Hickok tube tester again because of a meter problem that most likely developed during transit.  

I really want to get my hands on some OA3 tubes. I have used only the OD3 tubes I got.    

"I am not using the CSP2 with the Torii right now. I want to wait until I can determine best how to integrate it into the mix. I can't come up with the right combination of trim pot settings on the CSP2 and the volume controls on the CSP2 and Mini Torii."

Too much gain on amp? Was considering the CSP2 in the mix here so I would have headphone amp also. The CSP2 is an awesome head amp. May try the one I have first then before getting one for the Mini Torrii. Got mine the end of the week. Getting things setup in the office now. Have to figure out another couple stair climbs first for the HDT's

The comments about gain are dead-on. I just secured some Tung sol reissue 6V6 tubes and OA3 voltage regulators. I am "beginning at the beginning with the amp. Soon I will post a full, thrilling report complete with snapshots.

For now, a picture of my canine doggie, Desi.   

After several days of not listening to my unit I swapped the OA3 voltage regulators for OD3's with the 6V6 power tubes in place. It seems to attenuate the sound. I am not sure that I like the higher voltage being applied to the outputs. I also have OB3 and OC3 tubes as well. Maybe there is a middle ground with the output voltage.

I tried running Mullard CV4024 (12AT7) in front, with the new Tung Sol 6L6GT STR and OA3 tubes I got from Jim McShane. The sound is very BIG with no loss of detail or distortion. The bass is incredible.

I backed off the voltage regulators to OC3's with the 6L6GC's and it sounds smoother, but still BIG, which is nice.

Disclaimer: I am a newbie to Decware.

After looking at the Decware herd, my preferences and my budget I determined that the Mini Torii SEX would work best for my primary system, and I am intrigued by this thread where it seems that most everyone is using it at a secondary system in their offices and not as their main rig. Why is that so?  
My speakers are large Back Loaded Horns using an 8' single driver Fostex 206 ES-R @ 98db efficiency.
Any input on this would be much appreciated.  

eagertrader

Welcome to the forum.....

If you read the papers Steve has written on the Mini Torii the size was perfect for a desk top amp and I think a lot of guys bought for just that purpose. With that said, after talking to Steve quite a bit about the Mini Torii, and him telling me the version we heard at last years Decfest was just a diamond in the rough, (can't wait to hear the production unit at this years Decfest) what I heard will be a great main system amp given the speakers you are using.  I don't know how much better the amp could have gotten, as I would have bought what I heard last year, time will only tell, which is now just a month away.

The Mini Torii should be a perfect match for BLH Fostex's...

ZYGI

The Mini Torii SEX is back from a change in potentiometers (pots) and the repair of one of the on/off switches. I slipped some new JJ 6V6's in with 1957 OA3 regulators, 1969 JAN Phillips 6X4WA's, 1960 RCA OC2 and 1959 Sylvania Baldwin square getter 12AU7's. The new volume controls are superb; the originals had steps that limited the modulation in volume to a series of steps. These new ones are regular pots that turn without clicking.

I tried it for a few days with the CSP2 feeding it, but for some reason, when the CD player is connected directly to the TORII it sings. Either I don't know how to coordinate the CSP2 with the Mini, or it is not workable.  I think the Mini does not need a pre and in fact does better without one.  It seems like the preamp holds it back.

Now with the Mini connected directly to the CD player I hear thunderous bass and a nice midrange. The stereo separation is wonderful. I am sure that my speakers are part of this mix.  

Steve Deckert did the new pots. They had ordered some better ones and these went into mine.