Odd that you would prefer the ZEN over the SELECT.

both have stock tubes.......

yes me too with the monoblocks. hope to make decfest this year. its like the common sense audio drivers , i have the super 8's ,are the super 8's alnico three times better than the regular super 8's , well they are three times the price. don't think so!!!!!!!!!

"are the super 8's alnico three times better than the regular super 8's"

The Alnico Super 15 are certainly much "better" than the ceramic version. Two and half times better? I'm not sure.... But big difference (especially in the bass) none the less.

to Kevin ,what cainets do you have them in? and the bass is better. well i dont doubt that. I've had super cast 10 in 2.8 for awhile and was thrilled with them until I put super8's in 2.8s....... and of course the zen in its various forms makes it all happen.

Just wanted to add that after buying and selling a lot of amps over the years, for the first time I have NO desire whatsoever for another amp anymore since the first SE84C came into my install.
I've changed the inputcaps with V-vaps and placed the inputs to the front-top, eliminating the pot plus inner wire....magic.
Recently I could buy another one, so now I'm running them as monos and for me it's the simply the icing on the cake.
Super natural sound and even more lively than with one Zen, just can't sit still with rythmic music playing...
So how good is a SE84C...? VERY GOOD SIR !

So, Rivieraranch, how does it compare (SE84C+) with your Mini Torii?

Interesting observations.  I can follow what you're describing.  I have not heard the Zen, but the Mini Torii sounds so good, I'm just curious how can anything be better, other things being equal, of course.  

Believe it or not, I have not yet used the treble control, as I've honestly never felt the need, so far.  I've also noticed the volume seems to grow exponentially with the volume pot dial (not linearly), so that between 1:00 and 2:00 o'clock, it changes dramatically, both in SPL as well as dynamics and sheer presence.  I very rarely go that high (usual range is between 11:00 & 1:00 o'clock), but when required, it sure delivers, without any apparent distortion issues.

Great little amps both of them, indeed.  Thanks for the feedback.

Having just sold my Mini Torii and kept the SE84C+, I can say I was very surprised by the SE84 ZEN! I'd had the Torii for a few months before finding the used ZEN, and with all of the tube rolling capabilities of the Mini I thought it would win easily, but the little ZEN amp is just amazing in the imaging department. I think Riviera Ranch's earlier comparison is spot on; but for me the magic imaging of the SE84C+ wins, and freed up funds from the sale of the Mini for other projects.

One day I'll probably pick up another ZEN to try out bridged mono.

I don't think you can go wrong with anything from the Decware stables.

Never heard the C+ but am still enamored with my 10 year old Select. It recently put my girlfriend in a trance. Also, when she saw the amp she said, "it looks like some sort of machine". She never heard tube audio before - nor ever heard of tubes - but when I played some Loreena McKennit, James Taylor, and meditation music through the system, she literally stood there dumbfounded and said the proverbial "it's like they are in the room". After she sat down, I played Marina Raye's Blissful Journey and my girlfriend (who is Buddhist) crossed her legs in the chair and began to meditate. Talk about "Zen"!



I've had an urge to add a bit more power to my system (either the Mono's or a Torii III) but am not sure at the moment. Not sure how they would mate with my 2 ohm Parker 95's. I was thinking of adding an HSU ULS-15 sub to add more base extension then decide after that what to do.

I am open to suggestions.... I have also kept my eyes open for the older Zen Monoblocks but they don't seem to come up often for sale as in the past.

A testament to Steve and his work. Even makes non-audiophiles standup and listen. They know something special is going on....

Great story!

If you get the HSU, please let us have your impressions. They sound like they are nice subs, and with the Parker's stopping at 55 or so, seems this would bring notable weight and depth to your system. Is the Zen loud enough otherwise in your system?

Might be awesome to find another seasoned one to bridge with it.

Have fun!

Thanks guys! I'm leaning towards the sub and may try that first. It's supposedly a very musical sub so I don't think it's money waster. I do get some considerable volume on some material and the base extension on the Parker's is pretty respectable but based on Steve's paper on subwoofers, the sub might be the ticket to add that extra dimension.

My Select is no longer stock as I had it modded by Eddie Vaughn back in '07 so I can't mate it with another vintage Select to bridge as a monoblock as there will be a component mismatch.

If afterwards I feel I need more power, I may revisit either getting two SE84C+'s or the SE84ZS monos. I may also consider the Torii (whole different design i know).

How would those amps fare with the 2 Ohm load of the Parker's?

Wow so many comments on this amp. I feel the best one is ." It doesnt matter which Decware amp you buy " they are all that good . I have an old select , black, serial number 249 ,which looks to have the CCE mod. Great!!!   the biggest thing ive done to get an enormous amount of gain however , was to buy the ZCD200i , 5 volts output ,once broken in (which takes awhile) is as good or better than ANYTHING out there,again in a small room . If you have a large room the Torii family will do the best job. hey I'm preaching to the choir. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!