Could you describe the rest of your system so members here could better advise you?

If the B&W's are 84db rated these amps would not give you a lot of  volume. You will hear the characteristics from the amp though and the sound might surprise you.

However the DFR8 driver is rated at 6.69 ohms (8 ohms nominal), which seems to lend itself better to the SE34I.3, which you will get full power from with an 8 ohm load. This amp has the same kind of insane holographic imaging that the SE84 series has. The high sensitivity of this driver means that you could use one of the 2 watters with good results.

The MINI TORII would do real well also because it likes an 8 ohm impedance load.

I strongly suggest that you speak with  Steve Deckert to see what he recommends.

"The reason is the note Steve makes on the product history of the SE84ZS, he removed the pentode option because it didn't sound as good and nobody used it."

To clarify the statement above:

From the Zen Triode history:
"There were 50 or so of these models built and close customer feedback was maintained with almost all 50. We learned that customers preferred the sound of the Triode of Pentode in all but one case. That meant a switch designed to offer two different sounds wasn't being used. It also meant that an amplifier designed to be both pentode or triode was not fully optimized for either."

(Bold added by me for emphasis)

IME properly designed Pentode amps can sound excellent.

Looks like the Mini Torii or the SE34I.3 are my two choices if I plan on having an 8 ohm load. The SE84ZS is clearly optimized for the lowest impedance possible as you all stated. Am I going to be blown away by the Mini Torii compared to the SE34I.3?

Thanks so much for the help!

-Ron

I read through the entire Mini Torii page and it seems like the best fit for me. I have a feeling I might be back to listen to a Super Zen as well.

I really wish that Steve made a Super Zen with a OA3 voltage regulator.

First off, Merry Christmas!

I see that the Mini Torii is not a zero feedback design. Should I be concerned about this when compared to the Super Zen?

Also the Christmas Comes Early mod does not apply here, correct?

Welcome Ron! In your shoes I'd consider the Integrated heavily, I LOVED mine, I would have it still if I didn't need the power of the Torii Mk III.

I think if you have clean power by other means the OA3 regulation circuit is less crucial. And the SET zero negative feedback goodness of the Integrated makes such wonderful sound.

I'll preface my remarks by saying I haven't heard the Mini Torii, for one reason (probably the fact that I've never quite been impresed with that family of output tubes in instrument amplifiers) or another it's the one Decware amp I really haven't been that interested in.

In my opinion the "dual mono design"possibly iisn't that big a deal sonically. To be honest I didn't hear better channel separation etc. in that aspect between the Integrated when I had it and the Torii Mk II (as "dual mono" as the Mini-Torii , both have just one power cord and one chassis so imo not really dual mono) to compare.

I also didn't really feel that the regulation tube circuit had a great impact sonically on the sound of these amps IF one had clean power fed to the amps (I used isolation transformers, then PS Audio "Duets" and then PS Audio Power Plant Premier). I don't believe I've ever had a Decware amp with negative feedback, so I can't really compare it to one without (all the amps I've had from Decware had no global negative feedback as far as I know).

I just have to say I loved the sound of the Integrated (I had the .2) DEEPLY and found that with the right speakers it came to life with a 2.0 volt source. As with all the Decware amps I've had, the CSP2 or CSP2+ certainly improved their sound, but that's the case with all the amps I've tried with those preamps. I DO love the sound of my two Toriis, but moved to them because I felt the speakers needed their power when I moved my system out to the living room/dining room area. But if I have the chance to I'll get an Integrated or (probably) Super Zen -- I just love that SET magic Decware sound.

Although I don't feel that I know more than others here, I otherwise agree whole-heartedly with Jim: a call to Steve is prudent before making any final decisions. And in a very real sense, other than speaker/room mismatch possible because of power output, it's very hard to go wrong.

Wow, I just want to thank everyone for all the great insight!

It is a tough call, I will ensure to talk with Mr. D this week at some point. That said, I want something that will provide accuracy but at the same time not be mechanically. I have a feeling like Lon said, it will be very hard to go wrong.

Since I am not looking to listen at extremely loud volumes, I am looking between the Mini Torii or either the Super Zen or the Integrated.

I think I can save some money and not get hung up on the dual mono blocks or potentially even the Mini Torii. Either way I have two or three great options. I will read over each page again and see if something pops out at me.

I've not heard the Mini Torii. But I have owned both the Torii mk3 and the SE34I.3. If you have the right speakers, I feel the SE34I.3 is more direct and really latches on to the rhythm of the music. Call it PRAT or whatever, it makes you feel it. The soundstage is an added bonus, but I have changed rooms as well, so not a fair comparison. Just my 2c.

The more I read the more I lean to the Mini Torii because it only needs a 1 volt source. I just don't want to be stuck in terms of growth in the future.

To me that just means the Mini Torii is just set up to accomodate iPods. (I HATE IPODS).

I agree, iPods are the worst in terms of a source. All my files that I will be streaming are lossless imports from my CDs. That said, if I place a DAC on the other side of something like the ZSTAGE then it opens up my choice again.

Calling Steve tomorrow.

The 2v rating is the highest RMS output voltage possible.

I don't know about streaming (is everything copied at the highest maximum level? or are there differing playback levels like CDs?), but I have some CDs (2v out CD player) that would not drive an SE84B to full power without a preamp.

"That said, if I place a DAC on the other side of something like the ZSTAGE then it opens up my choice again."

Sometimes I hate having too much gain, but it is way better than not having enough.

"So a pre instead of a zstage."

Why do you say that?

From the ZStage specs:
Gain              Adjustable from 0 to 5 volts

and......

DESCRIPTION

The ZSTAGE is a single-ended triode stereo gain stage.  It uses a single tube operating in class A with no negative feedback.  It accepts any standard 2 volt line level source like a CD player or DAC and has a variable output via the front mounted gain control.  It can also be used as a purist tube preamp where multiple inputs are not needed.  

That said, the Airport Express has Burr Brown DAC and has an output voltage at 2V.

An Airport Express will take audio from either an iOS device or iTunes and play the content out its audio port. It has a Burr Brown DAC in it, not amazing, but decent. It can be wired or wireless in terms of transport.

A direct computer -> USB -> DAC connection would be better.
I could use a Mac Mini or similar for that.

According to the CSP+ page:

Outputs are stereo with a single mono output jack for running sub-woofers or center speakers in a 3 speaker stereo array.

CUSTOM OPTIONS
2 pair of stereo output jacks with relocated headphone jack.

Awesome Ron! Let the waiting begin!

If you're excited; just imagine how elated we are having helped inform, guide and influence you!