I think I like this Mk IV better than this reviewer, but he definitely liked it!

http://earphiles.org/2017/09/decware-taboo-mkiv-review/

Sorry Brad, that was not my review nor did I archive it anywhere. Guess it is gone the way of good things.

I did search for the review outside the direct link and found this page, which I believe is an abridged version of the original review:

https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/decware-taboo-mkiv.4854/...

I find it hard to agree or disagree with this review. He doesn't mention what headphones he is using. To me this amp is different with each pair of headphones that I have. It loves the Oppo PM-1 I have and the Sennheiser HD800S are very good with this amp when I also use a ZROCK2. It is very nice with the ZMF Ori I have but doesn't quite have enough OOMPH to bring out their best. (A PS Audio GCHA is the best amp I have for those). The amp sounds differently with different cabling, and power treatment, and tubes. . . it is so revealing and clear that it is like a chameleon. It will show you what is on the source and the signature of the headphone and also of any preamp and power and isolation treatment you are using.

As far as speaker playback. . . it is taken to another level with a preamp but has a very honest and revealing character without one. I would put it in between the Toriis I had and the 25th Anniversary Monoblocks I have with speaker use. It is not as powerful or weighty as the Toriis may be, but it is a bit more resolving and "faster" than the Torii. It is a bit more powerful and "traditional tube sounding" than the Monoblocks, with more weight to the sound, but not as revealing and "fast" as the Monoblocks. It's a great amp in between those two different amps. All aspects of performace can be heightened with the use of a CSP3, the amp likes to have that gain pumped into it and pays one back with weight and authority. A ZROCK2 is also a great benefit--I use both with mine, but have used each separately. Each separately with the Taboo is jaw-droppingly good, the only thing that beats that is both together in use with the Taboo, and the only thing I have heard that beats that is both in use with the Monoblocks--the CSP3-25 and ZROCK2-25 with the Monoblocks is the very best sound I've heard. The Taboo with these two in front of it is the second best sound I've ever heard. All that is with speakers efficient enough to not over-stress the amp.

Lon,

I don't have a preamp [any longer, it was a solid state Bryston BP-25 that Ive since sold with one of my previos systems], but I'll soon have a ZBIT and a ZRock2 with 25th mods.........Understood that a CSP3 preamp will add a new dimension, but I will be able to take advantage of the 4.5 volts afforded by my Bryston BDA-2 DAC with XLR outs to the ZBIT........I only have 1 source and plan to keep it that way......how close in your opinion would the ZBIT as a preamp with be vs a CSP3-25?

Lon, thanks for the comments, and a word from the wise. A couple of other members also of very high esteem [will, JOMAN]  have given me the same advice.

Sometimes my excitedness gets the best of me.

Today I found out the zrock2 and the zbit are on the bench. The taboo should follow imminently. I'm guessing another 4 weeks or so until shipment. Its been about 13 weeks so far, a 5 week delay built in because I took advantage of Steve's 10% COVID discount which put me in back of the line on the wait list at the time. You were right from the very beginning......"now the wait begins". The last couple weeks have been nervewracking [ you might call that excited, lol ].

Thanks again Lon, as always you are johnny on the spot and so helpful.