I was using the CSP2 with my Torii Mark II and it sounds good. . . but. . . it's actually better sounding for my system without it. Compressed the sound somewhat which was good for some recordings but not others. When I removed it I was very happy with the sound overall.  I use the CSP2 in my second system now with my Integrated IE24.2.

Unless you need the CSP2 to get three sources into the Torii, I don't think you're missing anything.

Yes, welcome, and also, congrats on being among the first to receive a Torii III!

Be sure and give us some impressions of your new Mark III!

Agustin,

You're right, Decware products will make you seek out the best in cabling and components.

After more than a decade of using Decware amps I've found a real synergy exists between the Decware amps and other Decware components and cables.  I recommend trying the Decware intereconnects and speaker cables as they are astonishingly good for the price and will allow your amp to shine. Also, I've become a great fan of the Decsare Radial designs to the point that I doubt I'll be happy with other designs.  I recommend trying out the ERR speakers, I'm eager to, I have two cousins of that design in use, the RL2 in my second system and the IT Radial speaker that Bob Zeigler makes (amazing speakers!) in my main system powered (now, I have a Mark III on order) by my Torii Mark II. The Torii has made the speakers soar!

I've also found an online site that has some great quality cabling at a discount, HCM Audio. http://www.hcmaudio.com/hcm.asp

As I hope you've discovered it is the right link.  I removed it and added it again as just a simple paste rather than labeled as a link and it works.  Works if you just cut and paste into the browser as well.

There's some silver interconnects from Audioquest on there that I have heard are really good (anecdotal evidence, I know, but I sort of trust the ears I've heard it from) at a great price.  But then so are Decware interconnects.  I ordered a pair recently in 2 meter length because you can't get the Decware in that length; I haven't received them yet.  I need that length to run my dvr to the Torii. Some nice deals there, and I've heard it's a good store to work with.

Agustin,

Sounds as if you're really enjoying the system now and that's great news.  Isn't it amazing what cables can do?  I find that once you get to the level of transparency Decware amps provide, you can really hear what cables do in your system!

Agustin,

Re-reading your post last week caused me to put my CSP2 into the system.

I had previously been experiencing some hum issues with the CSP2 that I finally determined was the input tube.  I had to warm up and break in a new tube in that position but I soon started experimenting with the output level of the CSP2, footers and was able to come up with the same cabling my ZDAC-1 and SCD-XA5400ES have, that is all Decware for power and interconnect. I find if I keep the output levels at about ten o'clock I get a very transparent and dynamic sound and as you note there seems more body and dimension to the sound. The result is equally impressive for all my sources and after it has cooked in a handful of days the CSP2 earned the right to settle in for a while. And I feel less guilty now that it is in place about the CSP2 not getting much use in 2010.

It's clear to me now that I did not have the CSP2 at its best before, between the hum and positions of the output pots. Thanks for inspiring me to try again.  It's added a bit of fun to the week.

I imagine this is very similar to the way that a ZStage would influence the sound of a system, and has an additional input.

I'm running an old RCA for the rectifier, enjoying that a lot. I may experiment with a few others, but tube-rolling led to a lot of crazy dissatisfaction for me and I'm still leary to jump back in.

4krow,

I'm constantly amazed by my Torii MK III. I have to admit sometimes I read what Steve writes and it seems hyperbole, exaggeration, sales pitch. But in the end, when you begin to have the sort of experience that he has with listening to the amp, they're seen as accurate assessment. The Torii has revealed it's glory to me with every improvement I make in any area of the system from cabling to isolation support to improved source components. I honestly believe that used with almost any speaker I'd ever be likely to buy it will never be the weakest link. I'm always impressed at what it reveals about each recording, and how it is able to weave all the different information on any recording and make a musical tapestry of it, that sways with the wind of the sound and ripples with the detail.

Using the CSP2 in tandem with the MK III these last weeks has been quite instructive and intriguing. It does sort of lead me into the madness that tube rolling induces There are so many potentials within adjusting the output gain of each/both channels, and adjusting the volumes between the preamp and amp. You can thicken the sound, you can thin the sound, you can find dynamics that lie hidden until your searchlight hits them. I was actually SCARED by an Opeth recording on this amp that had a portion that went from a whisper to silence to a sudden intense roar. I've heard the track a number of times on several systems here and at a friend's, but never has it come alive like an animal in a living-room before!  

I'm here to tell you that you can have amazing sound using just the gain available on the MK III itself, but you can really fine tune with a CSP2, and I'm sure that there's a similar experience involved when a ZStage is used with the MK III.

I hope you get a MK III as soon as you can.  I can already sense the enjoyment you'll have day after day.