Awesome Alex,

I agree, without my CSP2+ to run my OPPO through a lot of pandora, spotify, etc and some disks wouldn't be as enjoyable.  My Magnum Dynalab tube tuner through the CSP2+ to the Torii is pure magic.

Listen well and often.

JD

I don't know how I'm going to prevent myself from ordering a Decware pre-amp with all this positive chatter!  Glad your CSP is no longer collecting dust and is instead making holographs!  Cheers!

No way is it for sale now. I could never go back!
Thanks for the responses, all.

Definitely try different gain positons. But . . . part of the glory of the CSP series of preamps is those gobs of gain, and running the preamp into the amp with all that gain does wonders, especially for the small Zen amps.

I use a Z STAGE with my Zen and it does the job fine.

Thanks Stone--will you be using your preamp with the ZMA?

If you don't hear system noise or distortion everything is fine.

The vast majority of "integrated amps" require 1 volt or (much) less for full output.
Decware amps are 2 volts or more (Mini Torii~1 volt), which is why many find a preamp/extra gain stage beneficial.

Enjoy the CSP3 when it comes, Stone. I'm seriously considering driving down to East Peoria for the next Zen Fest to hear the ZMA. I want to know what all the fuss is about!

I have my Super Zen connected directly to my Oppo BDP-83SE for a couple years now. I do have a CSP2 that I used with my old Zen Select. I tried this several times with the Super Zen but each time the CSP2 appeared to cast a thin vail over the music resulting in a tad less focus and transparency. So like AlexR my CSP2 was sitting in the closet.

So I read the rave review here by AlexR and think I must be missing something??? So I dust off my old CSP2 and about half way through a 2 hour listening session I insert it into my system. Hum, not impressed, same result as the last time I tried it. Now AlexR and everyone else can't be wrong.

Now I'm not one to have ever claimed to hear a big difference between quality interconnects. I was using a first generation Decware DSR 1/2  meter interconnect between the Oppo and CSP2 and Homegrown Audio pure silver lace 1 meter interconnect between the CSP2 and Super Zen. I purchased the Homegrown interconnects years ago when silver was a lot less expensive.

In any event I went and dug out a second 1 meter pair of Homegrown Audio pure silver interconnects. I installed these between the Oppo and CSP2 (replacing the DSR). Well, I could not believe the difference. I've been listening a lot over the past 2 weeks to this combination. Being skeptical that an interconnect could make the difference I swapped the DSR back in 3 times over the 2 week period and the difference is there.

With the correct interconnects the CSP2 has improved the overall Focus of the presentation. Individual instruments and voices are more distinct and occupy distinctly separate space within the soundstage. The output quality of my Mid Bass Module has improved a couple of notches also. Kick drum is the most realistic I've been able to achieve and Bass notes are so detailed.

I have many recordings where you can hear the space (studio) in which the material was recorded. Now with the CSP2 some of these recordings actually create the illusion that you are not just hearing the space but are actually in that space.

Biggest surprise was that my source and speakers are actually capable of this type of resolution.

Thanks AlexR

My newly jupitered ZP3 & CSP2+ preamps will be delivered any day now, home from the mothership..  This will be my first upgrade from an already burgeoning experience. I have a small stash of i/c`s but all copper, not a patch on the DSR`s. You guys make it easier to push the boundaries further with your experimenting/suggestions. Getting your head round audiophile as a hobby isn`t obvious at first.