Well, My CSP2+ (ordered May 30) arrived today, is set up and "burning in."

A beautiful machine. It's set up a bit clunky for my arrangement, the inputs are on the other side than they were on my CSP2 and my cables are almost not long enough, but they work, though they're closer to the power cord than I'd like unshielded cables to be.

I'm using my own tubes, not the ones shipped; supercryo'd 6N1P and this time an RCA 5U4GB (straight sided, not too tall). I was using an RCA 5Y3GT in the CSP2, which sounded better there than the 5U4GB type, but this machine ships with the latter and seems to like it.

Sound is what you get out of the box, a mix of greatness with a bit of wonkiness. I love being able to match the levels between the inputs somewhat; I lacked that in the CSP2. And it's such a pretty pretty machine, much better looking than my CSP2 which was built in the old black Select chassis. And this is my first Decware product with a stepped attenuator. . . nice. A bit more clarity it seems.

Listening to an Louis Armstrong lp right now and enjoying the moment. Ah, a new Decware product! Hopefully I'll be repeating this in three months with a new ZP3!

Just realized that Steve added a mono switch to this CSP2+ which I had asked about, but didn't hear back about. So thanks Steve! Nice feature.

Also put the RCA 5Y3GT back in, I think I prefer that sound, or perhaps I'm more used to it. Seemed less "Hifi" than the other tube.

I find that playing LP's with the TORII I have to turn the volume all the way up. It is plenty loud after that. I might hook everything up to my CSP2+ to get that control you speak of. My phono stage puts out a low signal.

Hi Lon,

Congrats on your new CSP2+.

BTW, does your CSP2+ have the headphone output jack right in front?

When I first received my CSP2+, I hunted high and low for my headphone output jack.
Since the owner's manual and the online pictures (and other audio reviews) showed the headphone jack being somewhere at the back of the unit, I always had the impression that the headphone jack's location was fixed.

It took me a couple of minutes (& some temporary panic!) to realise that my headphone output jack had been relocated (thanks to Steve's initiative) and was right in front! LOL  

Thanks to Lon, I have Super cryo 6N1P tubes on the way as well as a 50s RCA and Tung Sol 5y3 recifier tubes.  I have been using my CSP2+ with a 45 SE Triode amp feeding Tonian speakers and the combination has great synergy.  The only tube change was the rectifier (TAD 5ar4).  While the TAD rectifier has the creamy sound of a NOS Mullard, I suspect the 5Y3 complimented by the super cryo 6N1P tubes may be a better choice.

My speakers are ideal for jazz showing off the best of brass, woodwinds, guitars, piano, and drums that excel with a 45 SE amp. My vinyl rig sports a ZYX Artisan phono preamp which replaced a tube preamp.  The CSP2+ provides flexibility for adjusting gain when using LOMC cartridges.

tybee wrote on 08/23/12 at 11:31:01:


It's too bad there isn't a manual for the CSP2+, what's online is the CSP2's manual. That states that the 5Y3 is the designated rectifier though you can use the others. Now the amp ships with a 5U4G (mine was a Valve Audio). I tried the 5U4G in my CSP2 and my CSP2+ and found it too warm and diffuse. . .I'll retry it in the new machine after breakin.

I have the TL-D1s with 8" Fostex driver.  The Tonians reside in a highly accoustically treated listening room mounted atop spiked platforms.

My new cryo tubes arrived and are playing as I write this reply.  Out of the box, they sound very good. Bass sounds good for a new tube.  I await for some breakin before updating my impressions.

Well, the preamp has bloomed a little bit, with more break-in expected over the next few weeks. I did the five on/five off break-in Steve recommends, which always improves the sound for its initial transformation.

I started playing with rectifier tubes this morning. The well-seasoned RCA 5Y3GT I was using at first is a great tube for new components: polite and fast and forgiving on the top end. I was wrong in what Steve sent, he sent a Valve Art 274B and I'd never used that tube type before so I gave it a try. Biggest and boldest sound yet, not necessarily a bad thing, but I squirmed through a few hours because it was too forward for my tastes, and had that brittle leading edge (I use piano to gauge this) that I really don't like. Maybe that would "burn off" with use, but I just don't have the patience right now. I rolled two other 5Y3GTs: a GE and a Raytheon. Both were similar to the RCA with the Raytheon being slightly warmer and slower, not a bad thing with a new component. Then I popped in the trusty lonely RCA 5U4GB I have (all my other tubes of that type are in pairs) and that sounded better than it did Wednesday afternoon, big and bold (not as big and bold as the 274B) but with a touch of warmth. When the preamp is broken in this may be the best choice as I expect more bass to come in over time from the preamp. Then I tried a Sylvania that I have as part of a pair and it's slightly sweeter and warmer, a great match for the moment. If it proves to be a great match when this is broken in it's interesting to me that I have another matched one that I could try out in my ZP3 when it arrives, having the same rectifier tube may make a great pairing between these two components. As tube-rolling drives me slightly nuts (and as I couldn't bear to hear the "test tune" I used one more time!) I left the Sylvania in and settled in to just listening and enjoying myself.

Yesterday I swapped the MAC Silver Quad+ I had been using between the phono preamp and CSP2 and CSP2+ with one of my cryoset.com interconnects. Contrary to my impressions with the CSP2, I clearly preferred the MAC cable with the CSP2+, which is intriguing because with my digital front ends the opposite is true. Just one of the great things about this hobby, surprise and discovery and puzzling results. I'm glad I sprung for two of these MAC cables, they've proven to be the best cables I've gotten from them yet.

Well, I'm looking forward to a weekend of just enjoying vinyl and SACD, the two formats I have connected to the CSP2+. A great machine!

Yeah, you might like it. I don't think I will even after break-in, just too forward a sound for me. I prefer "laid back."

The CSP2+ is sounding very good! It has closed the gap between it and the seasoned trusty old CSP2. It has a slightly different character. I'd say it's a bit clearer and less warm than the CSP2 overall, though tubes sets really influence this in either machine. The biggest difference being likely from the chassis layout and chassis materials. And the fact that this new CSP2+ has a stepped attenuator, and hasn't been in use for years.

I've been playing with 5Y3GT rectifiers. I bought a few off ebay, an RCA from '43 and an early 'fifties one. So far I'm not really a fan of either, without a lot of time on them the oldest is thick and too warm, the younger one is a bit anemic, though nicely dynamic.  I'll be putting some time on both in the second system in the CSP2 and then bringing them back to the CSP2+. The RCA that I had been using for years in the CSP2 is still the best fit for me. . . . Later this weekend I'll probably try the Valve Art 274B again.

So happy with this new preamp!

I have to remark about how wonderful the CSP2+ is sounding. Just as good as my seasoned CSP2 with an added clarity and openness, just an ideal preamp sound. The difference may be the stepped attenuator, the chassis change and layout. . . whatever it is, I'm so happy to have this. Can't wait to hear how it works with the ZP3 I have on order.

Well, even though I miss a sort of delicate openness and slightly more microdynamics that the PWD Mk II directly into the Torii Mk III brings, I'm pretty used to the sound of the PWD Mk II into the CSP+ and then into the Torii Mk III now. Nothing to complain about!

I'm really eager to hear the ZP3.

It started sounding good after about a week, I really think it took at least a month for it to sound nearly as good as my seasoned CSP2. I'd say a month or more to be really broken in. I did the "five hours on five hours off five times" thing which did help it get past the "wobblies" faster.

I don't have a working camera, never been interested much in pictures, sorry.

Congrats Lon and I agree these amps not only sound awesome they are beautiful to look at as well.

JD

Congrat's on the great deal you got on your latest CSP2+ Lon,  I agree that the white w/ walnut it is a great looking combo.  When I talked to Mr Deckert 2 wks ago he mentioned that they may be dropping the white tops due to too many factory flaws from his supplier.  Apparently that smooth white is very difficult to produce w/ out dust or whatever getting in it before it dries.  He said they have rejected something like 500 tops during their run w/ them.  Hence the switch to the typewriter type finish seen on the new Taboo for instance.  Matter of fact, he said by the time they call me when my Rachael is on the bench, I may have to decide on the last white top they have, or go w/ black.  White would match my csp2.

Greg

Most definately Lon, those white face meters look very cool on the new Taboos black deck.

Ha!

When I was 11 years old one of my first passions was old typewriters. So I am familiar with the black wrinkle finish.

Well played Lon. Music is more important that money anyways...

JD