Congrats Lon,

Something tells me the ZP3 will be broken in quicker in your hands than most...Really interested in hearing your opinion...

Justin, David, thanks.

Other than a hum to track down (or not, it's not at all bad) I'm really happy with the way it sounds right now, but know it will sound even better soon. I've fallen in love with records again with my setup before today, and I know the ZP3 will make me fall deeper. The sound of recordings made on disc before tape is just more accessible to me on vinyl and I love the music in those grooves. And it's interesting to compare vinyl and digital transfers of the same material. Having started back on vinyl, and being a Decware fan to the hilt, I had to try out the component that Steve calls a "flagship". . . .

You know me, I'll certainly be talking about my impressions.

Got a little sleep. Been experimenting with tube rolling and playing lps that I know very well. I'm very impressed with the sound.

The ZP3 is starting to surprise and amaze me. I completed my hunt for the best tubes on hand by popping in a Mullard 12AU7 and two Mullard 12AX7s that I used to deploy in my EICO HF 81. Though I have no idea how many hours on these tubes, they are adding just the right amount of richness and sparkle to the sound. I'm playing the recent Columbia vinyl of Bitches Brew and just reveling in the tapestry of sound. I haven't spun a cd all day.

There is a bit of further seasoning happening and the sound is deepening. I've settled on a tube complement:

RCA 5Y3GT:  The seller says this is from '43, it IS old and operating flawlessly. Manual says not to substitute another tube type and I haven't.
RCA OA3: I've bounced back and forth with a bottle-shaped and a straight-shouldered and the latter works best with the buffer tube I have in now
Raytheon 12AX7: I bought these from Mike B. and after a bit they've bloomed into dynamic and very neutral tubes. Quiet as all get out too. I have spent a lot of time matching them up with 12AU7 buffer tubes, which seems to be the "anchor," or "lynchpin" to the sound if I choose these Raytheon 12AX7s in the system.
Telefunken 12AU7:  I bought this years ago for use in my ZCD and didn't like it there but so far it seems to be the best fit for the other tubes in the complement. Others that are close are a Mullard and the Raytheon that Steve sent with the amp (which may still be the final contender, I have it going in my DEC685 to burn in some more). I have a lot of 12AU7s and will likely roll some more as the amp is more seasoned in.

I'm getting excellent sound now, detailed, dynamic and I'm just drawn in to the music as if by a magnet. Stereo and mono, imaging is clear as a bell and the music breathes. This phono preamp is a real monster.

Sounds like you have some good tube options too. It's interesting how each tube operates in this circuit, I hear even more distinctiveness than in any other of the Decware components I've tube rolled. But perhaps that will change once the ZP3 is fully burned in.

So glad I have the ZP3 to increase my growing vinyl enjoyment!

Frimpy, it's really worth saving up for the ZP3 and if it looks like you can swing it, order it as early as you can so the wait is minimized.

Steve says he set out to design a flagship product, and he got there, this is a wonderful machine.

I'm sure glad you've gotten your Integrated and are enjoying it! I sure enjoyed mine (the earlier .2 model). Another great Decware product!

I have ordered my first Decware product the zp3 cant wait to hear how it pairs up with my modded Dynaco sca 35 and fostex 6.5 full range speakers in a six foot tall folded tube. Up to now I have been working on a small budget but things are looking up TT comes next probably backwords  but couldn,t wait

Just got my ZP3 12/26 so so excited!!! Without nice interconnects and an old tt with an AT440MLA cart and upgraded cables and the Dynaco needing a better set of 7199's It is blossuming  nicely.  The build quality is all that I could hope for and the funny thing is that we all notice that it smells nice.  Amazingly aromatherapeutic, Sight, Sound and smell, whats left?

Lon- You are spot on. I have about 100 hours on my ZP3 now (still stock tubes) and it's amazing. The Rachael amp has seen use every day since Holloween and my wife is amazed and so am I. Played some records last Saturday for company during cocktails and dinner and they we floored. I just need to upgrade my speakers now. If anyone is THINKING of a ZP3 jump with confidence because it is an amazing piece of gear. Happy listening, Chris.

The ZP3 was the ruin of me  :) I just had to get a  Decware pre/power amp section. I`ve just turned it all on and `Time Loves a Hero` L. Feat sounds brilliant. Room filling delicacy. When it all warms up....

^^^ I am right on your heals, maybe 20 hours on mine.  Rolled a few tubes to my liking.  Amazingly good phono stage!  Sounds great combined with my CSP3  :)

ZP3 sounding so damn good!  5+ weeks with ZP3 now I will be holding off on any diffusion or absorbtion treatments until this bad puppy is at least 200+ hours broken in. Sounds so damn good now and just getting better...breathlessly good. My listening sessions have increasing in length. Will be adding Power Line Conditioner (blue cirlce PLC FX2 Xoe 6outlet) in the next week. I installed a Hubbell  HBL 8300 hosp grade power receptacle this weekend in preparation. And, thinking bout buying Iso-acoustics speaker isolation stands for the Lores at the NAMM Show this coming weekend. Things are moving along very, very nicely!  8-)