In that our friend Lon is on the road with his motorcycle I'll suggest that one of the first production units be reserved for him.

This product sounds like the perfect compliment for the Decware DAC.  Am looking forward to listening to the combination at the upcoming Decfest.

Dennis

Pretty amazing that one can get so much of Steve's "reference" DAC design at half the price.  Exciting news for audiophiles!

The concept that really intrigued me about the "reference" DAC was being able to combine the tube and solid state line stage in varying degrees.  That may not be possible with the three separate components, but it's quite an impressive combo for the prices! (Assuming that the line stage is priced as I imagine it is, and likely is based on Steve's statement of "half the cost.")  The total cost may even be considerably less than half the cost of the reference DAC.  Especially if you don't add the ZBox (and not sure why you would HAVE to have it.)

OK, I've been trying not to like it... trying multitudes of different scenarios and I think I've succeeded in achieving my goal - which was... super transparency.  Almost too transparent, however being as I love the sound of the ZDAC-1 straight up, I didn't want to take anything away.  The ZSTAGE has no trade-offs that can be found without a microscope.  What it does to the signature is subtle, but just that bit of tube goodness we all crave.  Being able to roll tubes is paramount to the serious listeners...  changing output stage OP AMPS in the ZDAC-1 as some have asked, is not something I want to get into.  I don't recommend it, I've explored all possibilities and don't want it to ever be changed. The ZSTAGE makes it possible to have your own way with the signature which I think will be much enjoyed by those who try it.


I'm getting close to getting the web page done.  The introductory price has been finally figured out.  $599.00  

For those who aren't yet familiar with it, the ZSTAGE is a straight in-out gain stage with a variable output based on a 5963 dual triode.  It was done with a purist mind set, with the least number of nodes, and makes a dandy preamp for those extreme purists using only one source.  

The reason to add one to a ZDAC-1 is two fold.  A) you can taylor signature and imaging via some tube rolling.  B) Control of frequency balance and dynamics.   For example, say you listen to the ZDAC-1 and a recording comes on that sounds too quiet.  You can turn the ZSTAGE up a bit and bang, the dynamics appear out of nowhere.  OR, say a recording sounds to thin...  You turn your amp (or preamp) down a couple notches and crank the ZSTAGE up a few.  Bang, you have weight.  OR, say a recording is too fat.  Do the opposite.  Problem solved.  

Oh, and as a special bonus, some of you will be familiar with the most excellent bias switch on the Zen Triode amplifiers...  you flip it while listening to the music and it changes the bias of the tube.  One way is super clean and ultra holographic, the other way is more forward and dynamic with more bass weight.  Like having two different amplifiers...  I have included this exact feature on the ZSTAGE.  It's like having a little nitrous button on your source... brings out the torque in a recording.  A very nice feature.



Then of course, with the our ZBOX, we have the possibility of creating the Zen Dac Trio...

This is accomplished by adding a ZBOX to the output of the ZSTAGE.  Since the ZBOX has it's own gain control, you have multi-demensional control of dynamics as explained above but with an underlying level of control.

Why add a ZBOX to the picture?  A) If you listen to 16bit 44khz red-book CD's or digital recordings it will restore much of the underlying harmonics that were eliminated by the bit depth of only 16 bits.  B) If you listen to MP3's or AAC, or anything downloaded from ITUNES store, etc.,  internet radio as well... it's a God send to have a ZBOX. Fools you into thinking you've got a real hi-end thing happening with these somewhat pitiful formats.

If you listen to 24/96 formats or higher, or use a good vinyl rig, then the only possible reason to use a ZBOX is if you have a long cable run, or a preamp/amp with a really low input impedance of say 20K or less. The ZBOX will restore the weight and correct the high frequency roll off due to it's low output impedance.  

OR if you have a system that after everything else due to room acoustics or strident speakers like lowthers and you just want more richness and bloom, less fatique then add a ZBOX.

These can be stacked on top of each other, or side by side as shown.  Each piece is 6 inches wide and 11 inches deep.  All three will fit in most racks.

I will also be offering super short interconnects designed for this trio - allowing you to set the units side by side or one atop the other.  This takes all the worry about what cables to use out of the experience.

I have everything in stock to build these units in a timely manner... so if anyone wants to get on the build sheet early before I get the web page completed, just call us, or e-mail me zen@decware.com.  I can ship early people on the list before it becomes available on the site, which will be soon.

Steve

The Page is done for the ZSTAGE.

https://www.decware.com/newsite/zstage.html

There isn't a support forum for it yet. I wanted to see how it would do as a gain device to boost the input voltage to my TABOO.

Heres a little update: I just did a listening test to get a sense of the gain potential of the ZSTAGE with the ZDAC1 in front. I don't have a Db meter but can offer some subjective opinion. Playing "Kind of Blue" with my Torii MkIII set at about 1/3 volume and the ZSTAGE (with the stock tube) at 12 o'clock through MG944s I get decent sound, but it is too quiet for my listening enjoyment. Turning up the ZSTAGE to 3 o'clock, it is quite loud enough for my moderate normal listening level. With the ZSTAGE turned up all the way it is too loud...it hurts just a little.

Looking at it another way, I started with the Torii MkIII at 1/3 and the ZSTAGE full volume then gradually turned up the MkIII all the way while turning down the ZSTAGE trying to keep the volume the same as much as I could. The MkIII all the way up with the ZSTAGE a bit above 11 o'clock was a similar volume as the MkIII at 1/3 and the ZSTAGE full volume. Sorry for being so arbitrary, but hope this helps. The bottom line... the ZSTAGE has a lot of gain and with this CD sounds pretty damned good fully cranked. But with a recording with more weight, like Patricia Barber "Touch of Trash" from "Modern Cool" the ZSTAGE on full has too much body and weight for my tastes and with this tube. But the MkIII has a lot of body to start with. With my amp, I generally like to run the ZSTAGE between about 12 and 3 o'clock. Seems like it is usually around 1 or 2.

WD.

The tube stage is empowered by the gain, the gain allowing me to add or reduce weight, body, focus, dynamics and so forth depending on the recording. Then there is the tonal flexibility with different tubes and the bias switch. And even though the Torii is powerful I use it for movies too and there are DVDs that are so quiet that I benefit from the gain of the ZSTAGE. It is really about the way it makes my already great system greater sound-wise though. Please read my review of the ZSTAGE and I think it will probably answer your questions.

https://www.decware.com/cgi-bin/yabb22/YaBB.pl?num=1288548883/0#0