I love the CKC.  However, this past week, after 6 months of burn in and enjoyment of the Super Zen CKC, I put my SE84CS back in the System with all else being equal. What I found was, I have more Headroom (volume/loudness/dynamics), when I want it, with my CS over my CKC?

I wonder if it is just the inherent voicing of the CKC with the Jupiter Caps and CCE mod and the rest of the Topology?  Thoughts?  -Stone

Thanks DBC, I'm going to try the Rectifier first and get back to you on this.  -S

HOLD THE PRESSES!

Turns out I have a 4 ohm tranny!  Now, granted I had a shot Rectifier tube.... .  However, no wonder my gain is down on the CKC vs. my SE84CS! It should be just as you described in your post DBC.

I only glanced at the serial #010 and my name when I first got it and the 4 ohm did not catch my eye until now!  Crap!

I was wondering why my Klipsch RF-7 II Speakers were clipping!
I know I did not ask for 4 ohm when I ordered it online....well, I guess they are human at Decware.....I will call and ship it back...for the tranny swap out.  -S

PS=my Polk LS 90's are 8ohm, the RF-7 II's of course are, my Polk SDA 1's are 8ohm & SE84CS is 8ohm by evidence of its gain in comparison performance to the CKC.

Furthermore, the CKC is so intoxicating....I only got it up to clipping occasionally...but it needs the 8ohm Tranny so I can enjoy its full potential (as I do the SE84CS) on my Synergistic finds: Polk LS-90, Polk SDA 1's & the Klipsch RF-7 II's.

Thanks Rivieraranch, I missed that completely.

I will up the voltage on the output of my Dac and see what I get.  -S

I've lost my mind. I posted in the "16 ohm thread" 5 months ago about having the 2-6 ohm Tranny?!  Anyway, it is the best fit for my choice of Speakers....now that I have the Tubes "right" for my needs in my CKC. I know enough to be dangerous, as the saying goes....so I will shut up now and just go Listen.  -S

No doubt Rivieraranch, the 6P15P-EV, 6N1P-EV and 274B are the ones for the SuperZen CKC. Steve voiced the CKC with these...so no Surprise this complement is spot on with the Magic.

Back in 2005 I did a group buy of some cryoed 6P15P-EV here on the forum with a few guys and they are wonderful Tubes. So it is nice I have a good stock of cryoed ones for the CKC.

However, the Select (SE84CS) has just as much headroom as the CKC has now obtained. The extended bandwidth of the Original Svetlana SV83 offers more shading and subtlety too. I use it with an 6922 and 5U4G-C's that are the best Tubes for the CS that Steve Voiced the SE84CS with IMHO.

NOTE: the Original Sveltana SV83 which is no longer available is not to be confused with the garb that BOI or The Tube Store in Canada are tryng to pass off as the original. It is a horrible Knock-off and Steve warned against it back in 2005.

If one has never heard the Original Svetlana SV83...they will be just fine with the wonderful Tube Compliment EV's and 274B that come with the SuperZen. However, for me, the Svetlana SV83 Original is to be treasured....the shading, extended highs and subtlety that is there...that the very good 6P15P-EV can't do.  However, the EV comes close in the CKC vs. the SV83 in the CS but, just does not belong in my CS, where the Original Svetlana SV83 (6N15NM...my phonetic Russian) rules the Roost.

My Kimber Select 1030 IC and Kimber Select 3033 reveal the differences between the 6P15P-EV & Original Svetlana SV83
output Tubes with ease too.   -Stone

I will see if I can track down a 6BQ7.

Well, after 8 months +, I think I finally have my Super Zen CKC burned in... .

I am glad I kept the SE84CS stock to use as my benchmark to judge all others (music lives between 76 & 84db SPL).  It still is my benchmark.....Steve's masterpiece with the original NOS SV83 Svetlana (not New Sensor).  However, the Super Zen is coming along still...... .     -Stone

Interesting.

no , I think I would just stick with the 6p15ev's, going back and forth the CKC (superzen) is the best of the zen's, with the c+,being second, however I could probably take the oldest Zen amp I have and go into any stereo shop and it would hold it's own or better any amp there. I have a whole slew of EL84's if you care to try them . they just don't sound as good as the 6p15ev. Spent a lot of money rolling tubes in the zen, as have others on this site,and I'm sure they will tell you also stick with the tubes Steve sends with the amp. You'll save enough money to have a new Zen amp.

I'm enjoying my Rachel 34.1 but the CKCS caught my ear, and I have this vision of XLR equipped bridge monos...

What is this SV83 tube like? I have never heard it. It's ultra-linear. A pentode wired in triode correct? I imagine it's closer to what my MiniTorii was than Rachel.

cheers