Kent,

WELCOME! And congrats!

Assuming that the bias switching is very similar to that which I had and have on other Zen amps, there is no "right" or "wrong" position for the input tubes, just what sounds best for you on a recording. One position will be a bit more "laid-back" sounding, mellower, less dynamic, the other will be more dynamic and a bit more forward sounding. Each of these is going to sound a bit different with different  systems and can also be used to tailor the sound for different recordings and to suit your own tastes.

Alright! Glad you have it up and running. Keep us posted.

Thanks Jameskk,

Still waiting on the DAC, and only a couple hours, but what I'm hearing is promising.

I'm using ERRs with my Dad's system, using my Eddie Vaughn modded Zen "C" amp to power them in the biggest room I've ever used the ERRs in, and they're doing fine. (Have a CSP2 in use as well which certainly helps).

I run my SE84CKC on Omega Super3XRS speakers in a 11x12 room and for me, the power is sufficient about 95% of the time.  I also have a Mini Torii but overall, I prefer the sound of the SE84.

Kent do you have the super 6 monitors or floor standing speakers?

JD

…hi everyone. I hope I didn't come across as a snob on the room treatment / system setup stuff, but I'm a firm believer that room (and how the speakers are set) are some of the biggest factors in what you hear.

The DAC finally showed today. Weather delays from last week + the federal holiday, took a 2-day Priority USPS shipment and stretched delivery time to over a week!

One of my goals for this round of system changes is to reduce my $$$ in gear. Certainly the Super Zen is a modest price compared to most regarded amps. My other goal was to embrace a minimalist approach…

My speakers are single-driver, so they are minimalist
I've been using Anti-cable for years, only thing simpler might be coat hangers
So for the DAC I turned back the clock about 4 years and purchased a DAC I already knew and loved. It's a Red Wine Audio's Isabellina NOS (battery operated) DAC.

I picked up a used unit directly from the manufacture. This unit is essentially two generation old in RWA's lineup. But after reading a zillion reviews for new DACs (confusing!) -- and knowing I love this DAC -- I decided that dollar for dollar it would likely be difficult to beat.

As a reference, I moved to this DAC about four yeas ago, paired with an Apple MacBook / USB, coming from a Wadia 830 CDP with some factory mods. So I knew at the time it was a worthy component.

Since then I've had a short bout with a Wavelength Cosecant (hi-rez board only), and the next two iterations of RWA DACs, as upgrades were released by RWA.

I won't try to tell you that the older version sounds as good as the upgraded models, but I can tell you listening mostly to Redbook, putting the $3,500 Wavelength on Agon in favor of this version was an easy decision.

I'm into female vocals and small ensembles, so a quality NOS DAC is what I've liked best of the few I've owned (even compared to RWA's newer Pro (hi-rez) offering when playing Redbook). With NOS I give up a touch of detail, but the tone and timbre on this unit are to die 4!

So now its about 20 days since the Zen arrived, and I've finally begun the burn-in process (I couldn't get the BluRay to repeat a disc, so I'm only at approx. 5 hours now).

I discovered a nifty feature on the Macbook, in you can set it to play stereo audio as mono. So I have my Omega Monitors set face-to-face, and wired out of phase. Zen volume set at 12:00, and the volume is very moderate. Standard voltage for Isabellina is about 1.8 volts. But on Steve's recommendation, I had Vinnie (from RWA) set mine at 2 volts.

It will be this weekend or later before I finally get to hear this new setup -- as we are in the process of having our flooring replaced. So all the bedrooms are torn apart waiting on carpet install later this week. Again due to weather, I'm about a week behind on this project.

Can't wait to hear what this new system sounds like!

I don't listen very often, but when I do I now listen as a music lover and not an audiophile. By that I mean I pull out a CD and listen to artist / band rather than searching out the last word word in "can I hear the felt lift off the wires of a closely mic'ed piano?". The sound is very nice.