There is a new video at the top of the forum (I change them every so often) taken from late Sunday afternoon's Fest.

This is the Zen Triode 2 watt amplifier (SE84UFO) connected to a pair of Randy's small open baffle speakers, using the ZDSD as a source.

At the 4 minute mark, the speakers were changed to the Zen Monoliths (DM947)

Then at the 7:13 mark, I hooked up the ZMA (Ice cold btw) in place of the 2 watt Zen and put on a tape and cranked the volume up to a live level.  This way you can see what the difference is between 2 watts and 40 watts on the same speakers.  It's there, but not as great as you would think as the video demonstrates.

Anyway, as I stated elsewhere, Randy's $350 or so speakers and the 2 watt Zen UFO are so good together that I wouldn't have any problem living with them as my only stereo, and I'm pretty spoiled so it's says a lot.  :)

Steve

Now that is impressive.  Sign me up for a pair.  

But would it play symphonic music well?

Sounds great. Thank you Steve.

I've been enjoying my SE84CKCS w/ the UFO mod for a few weeks now and IMHO, the UFO takes this little amp into uncharted territories. I believe if rock concert SPL is not a requirement, I don't think there is a better amp dollar for dollar in the world. The icing on the cake is the flexibility of having 2 impedance taps for different speakers. The 8 ohm setting combined with my Omega single driver speaker has taken the sound to a level that I didn't think was previously possible. I'm at a lost for words everytime I listen to this combo.

If you have time Steve, can you release short video of SE84UFO paired with the DNA? I believe you said that you were going to do this a few months back but never got the chance. Also, I just ordered the new DNA and was curious on this combo. Thanks

The DNAs?

Very low (lower than the monoliths, I feel)

Very tight

Very tuneful

My only caution about the DNA is that the MarkAudio drivers have a certain sound to them that is unlike other drivers I have used.  I'm sorry I haven't found the words for it.  Not different bad, different good.  I like it.  YMMV

I'm sorry I meant Randy's open baffles.

Hi Kboe,

I held back from commenting on this, not wanting to "toot my own horn" ... but can offer a few thoughts.

The primary driver used in these speakers is an 8" full range driver.
As you would imagine, "full range" is probably not the best description for an 8" driver since there will certainly be some limitations at the low end.

In this baffle (22.5" high x 18" wide) the bass goes down to around 80 to 100 HZ, depending on the placement and distance from the room boundaries.

The bass is reasonably tight to my ears and VERY tuneful.
Being a "full range" type of driver, the sound is very coherent from top to bottom and the sound staging is very good.

For most of the music I listen to, they do a good job and with well recorded CDs and vinyl they sound wonderful.  For more demanding music and CDs with a tipped up top end, I recommend adding a subwoofer crossed over at 60 to 80 HZ.

I can highly recommend a plate amp driven Hawthorne Audio Augie 15" driver in a 3rd baffle which is what I run in my home system.

If you are up for a trip to the Cincinnati, OH area you have a standing invitation to hear these speakers in my home.
In January, I hope to have a storefront open to showcase the speakers.

I am also sending a pair of the speakers to Steve so that he has a pair on hand to demo for anyone traveling to Peoria.

If you have further questions, please let me know.
You can PM me via the forum.

Best wishes,

Randy