My poor Lucinda is still sick, slowly getting better and still staying home from work. and we're both completely tired of our routines being interrupted for two weeks and we're beginning to be on each other's last nerve. I so desperately want to listen to my Monoblocks but the moment I do I'm either asked to do something else or told that my music annoys here and please put on headphones. So I am getting a lot of time in with both my Torii Mk IV and my Torii Mk III and my Audeze LCD-2 and Oppo PM-1. But I so much want to listen to the Monoblocks and the HR-1s!

Last night for one hour I got to listen to a cd, Bobo Stenson's "Cantando" on ECM, through the Monoblocks. This an eccentric offbeat piano trio recorded with reverberant spatial cues and both a tight focus and a warm glow. I could hear every nuance I had heard before and more. I connected to the music on this album as I had not before. The Sophia Electric Aqua 274B that I have in each are responsible for another step forward as is the mere fact that the amps have really come into their own. I've had wonderful listening sessions with my amps the last years but I confess I wish that I had somehow managed to make the small two watt amps work in my system before and hadn't spent so much time with the EL34/KT66/6CA7 etc. tube types. Then again the DENSITY of the signal from the ZTPRE, ZBIT and ZROCK2 and the tonal adaptability of the ZROCK2 are what have made my current bliss possible when added to the racetrack speed of the Monoblocks. It's best to just be in the here and now and here and now has the possibility of the best sound ever . . . I only wish that I could hear the system NOW. Please Lucinda, feel better!

I'll have to have a plan for when Lucy retires in about five to six years. I had planned to build here on the property and make myself a studio, and that may happen, though Lucy keeps changing her mind about these things. . . she will want me to have an area of my own though as she is a lot like your wife. I have a friend who is waiting to find a wife that shares all his musical interest. He's been waiting a long time and he's very lonely. . . .

The current ban on listening to the speakers is due to her feeling so crappy. And she shouldn't feel so crappy, two weeks into antibiotics, now on her second. I takes her into going back to the doctor tomorrow who is going to give her a third antibiotic and will do some tests. I'm hoping that it isn't anything serious or really bad as I've been there done that and bought the t-shirt and hoody.

I finally got to spend about five hours with the Monoblocks yesterday and really enjoyed the sound. I'm back to using OA3 again with the Sophia Electric 274B Aqua in the system and seasoned a bit. There's a wonderful sense of space with the OB3 but the bass response suffers and the Sylvania OA3 that Steve shipped with the amp are sounding very good with the Sophias. I suspect the OB3 would be perfect with more efficient speakers and I may save up for the DNA2 in the future. . . but I'm really not complaining about the interaction between the Monobocks and the HR-1. . . I just wish I had both that wonderful spaciousness to that degree that the OB3 provides with the excellent bass from the OA3. We'll see what the CSP3 with the 25th Anniversary mods brings when it arrives, it may add the missing elements.

These are amazing amps. I love their elegant uncluttered looks and the sound is liquid delight.

Lon, I am going to suggest/guess that when your CSP325, now on the bench, arrives it will afford even more of the things you are so obviously enjoying with 25th anniversary Monoblocks!
Man, I am sooo envious!
Joe

Hey Lon,

Thanks for keeping us in the loop. I have to be on the audio sidelines now for a while due to family needs/relocation, but when I can get back into our amazing hobby, I will definitely want to head back to the Mother Ship once more for a demo. Your description of the results that you are getting in your system, coupled with Steve's talk of twin UFO25s, with a CSP325... well...I may need a drool apron before I can actually do anything about it, but I've got my sights set on a new system. Anyway, keep the reports coming, please.

Randy

Well there are many ways to skin a cat. . . or tube a Decware amp.

I bought a pair of Amperex 6085 tubes from Scott and wanted to try them in the Monoblocks. I know these 12AU7 variants work well in the amps as I had a pair of Tesla branded to try out. I have a single Amperex 6085 I have used in the ZROCK2 and now use in the Taboo Mk IV (where it sounds great) and I do prefer the Amperex sound to the Tesla.

So I tried the 6085s in the Monoblocks. I really like these tubes and I really like the fact that they are actually a bit taller than the SV83! They put a lot of gain into the amp and I rolled rectifiers and although the Sophia Electric Aqua 274B sound good in that spot I found that Tung-Sol Type 80 bottle-shaped actually work best, along with the Arcturus OB3 bottle-shaped regulators. Great sound. . . big and bold but with a touch of warmth and body. The Sophias made things just a little too dry and thin. They sound good in my Taboo Mk IV though, and in the CSP2+ I am using upstairs. One will probably land in the CSP3-25 that should be arriving soon.

With all the gain and tonal possibilities that adjustments of my DAC, ZTPRE, ZBIT and ZROCK2 and Monoblocks allow there are so many ways to get great sound. I can't get enough time to listen. . . can I put some of that on my credit card?

Uh...I meant 300B amp.

I don't know. Works perfectly. Sounds great.

I have the 6085s back in, had to try them now that I am using OD3 regulators. The new regulation tubes do help the 6085. The 6085s are giving me the widest soundstage and a very natural sounding dynamics and piano in particular on the recordings I have been listening to has a great clarity WITH a great resonant body to the sound, which is a combination of characteristics that I don't always hear.

The truth is more than any other amps I've had these Monoblocks show the inherent characteristics of tubes and how the cooperate in a complement. I used to strive for one tube set to rule them all (especially with the Torii Mk III)--one complement to work with all the material at my disposal. I'm not going to make that a goal with these Monoblocks. . .the sound is so malleable and it's fun to explore. i "get" what Will has been doing for a few years now. . . .

I have a feeling the Anniversary edition of the CSP3 arriving tomorrow is going to be a similar tube-rolling adventure about to happen. Lord help me!

Thanks for the experimentation and the updates, Lon. I'm really interested in the difference that the CSP3-25 makes in your system. Won't be long now (except for the breakin, I mean).

To anyone who has these amps, do you have the stepped attenuators? If not, is it hard to balance the volume?

The SE84UFO3 in either stock or Anniversary form I think come with stepped attenuators. I didn't ask for them this time and I received them and it wasn't marked as an additional charge. It's not an option in the shopping cart when you order.

I have stepped attenuators on these amps, on my Taboo Mk III, on my Torii Mk III, and on my ZBIT. (I don't have them on my ZTPRE, ZROCK2 or my CSP3 25th Anniversary arriving tomorrow). I honestly think there's a bit of clarity one gets from the stepped attenuator in comparison to the stock volume control. It's very subtle, but I have compared two otherwise identical models (CSP2+ and Torii Mk III that I had two of the only difference being the attenuators) and that was my impression. But it's not a game changer . . . . I have never had a problem with balancing the two channels with stepped attenuators in the amps or preamps, nor have I had a problem getting the right volume. Likewise I have no problem along those lines using the preamps or the ZROCK2.

Steve would have the final word whether the stepped attenuators are stock on these amps--I believe they are, due to the fact that I received them with stepped attenuators and was not charged anything extra, and that there is no option for the stepped attenuator on the order page for the amplifiers.

I'm making an assumption. An email to Steve or a call to Steve or Sarah would be more "official". . . .

But I applaud your decision to order. These are wonderful amps.

Okay, if Joe weren't so busy with his new 25th Anniversary (prototype) amp and the DNA2 speakers I'm sure he'd be laughing at me.

I have kept the CSP3-25 running feeding headphones since Monday evening. This morning I had to get up early and head out to my Dad's and take him to an appointment and do a few tasks at his place and when I got back. . . I took one look at the system and decided to connect the preamp to the Monoblocks.

I have about 40 hours on the preamp or more, and I don't know how many hours Decware put on it in "Testing" and "Quality Control." I'm sure it will continue to sound better for a while. But. . . .

But it sure sounds really good right now and man I am digging the sound! I was worried that my DSD DAC to ZTPRE to ZBIT to ZROCK2 to CSP3-25 to SE84UFO3-25s would be "too much" or add hum or . . . I don't know I was worried. I needn't have worried. I'm getting all the wonder of the ZTPRE and all the blossoming wonder of the CSP3-25 with the great benefit the ZROCK2 adds. And the 25th Anniversary "realism" is even more present.

I went from a year ago believing "no preamp is best' to now REVELING in the sound of two preamps! I just looked at the clock and thought "Oh no! I only have three more hours of uninterrupted listening today!" This is going to be the story of my life. . . dreading turning the system off. . .

Have you compared the ZTPRE and the new CSP3?  Steve may have to figure out a mod for that too.

That's groundbreaking.  2 preamps in the chain!  

Awesome! You'll be very happy with them!

Status update: Final Listening Room Evaluation!

I now have about 40 hours or so on my new anniversary monoblocks and they are just killer. I can't wait to hear what more hours bring. I think very highly of the SE84UFO with copper foil caps and for the past three years would feel confident putting up against anything out there. However now experiencing what these anniversary mods bring to the table is just another league I was not aware of. The soundstage is huge in comparison. Wider deeper, taller. Notes are coming out in front of me. The older SE84UFO still sounds great but very flat in comparison.

These new amplifiers are a true listening pleasure and I'm so glad I have them. I get it now as to what folks on here have been referring to. Engaging to say the least.

Jim

The sound definitely draws me in

I play a lot of vinyl as well and while it does sound outstanding I'll be sending in my ZP3 and ZSTAGE in for anniversary mods next week. I have a ZROCK2 with anniversary mods in testing currently.

I'm really looking forward to having all anniversary mods to pair up with the monoblocks!

I've had my 25th Anniversary Monoblocks for over a year now! Now the really good listening begins, I find that the years after the first the Decware amps really perform so very well and in tiny increments season in with a refined sound.

I've played around with tubes in my ZTPRE lately, and experimented for a while with tubes in the ZROCK2, but I'm locked in with the tubes I have in the Monoblocks--they just sound so good give me what I want.

Amazing amps! The Taboo Mk IV driving speakers made me ready to try the even smaller powered amps and I am so glad I did, I have ZERO temptation to go back to EL34/KT66 etc. type tubes and push pull design. I'm hoping I can have a few decades with my SE84UFO3-25s.

This is great to hear Lon!  I'm going to have to revisit that tube in my 25thAnniv.   I have been stuck on a Valvo E288CC as the input and it's been so good that I havn't even had the thought to 'roll' in a long time.  And your right, with these current mods and the ZR2-25th..  there are so many unbelievably good tube combinations that it can make your head swim. Hope your well my friend!

I forgot to mention that I rolled through a few rectifiers again this week and landed back on the Aqua 274B. I so so WANT to love the Mullard GZ32 that so many use here . . . and these have some very appealing qualities and may come the closest to the Aquas with the right tube complement, but they are just too thick and rich in comparison, it's like Mullard Mrs. Butterworth "maple" syrup and the Aqua like real NE Ohio maple syrup. If the real stuff is in the house. . . you use it. These Aqua rectifiers still amaze me with their open clarity. I'm so glad others mentioned them.

hi guys

As I have written earlier I bought a standard CSP3 while my mono amps was being upgraded to 25th. When they came back i never tried them with source connected straight to them, I used the pre. Today I tried with source directly to the monos, and god-damn the difference from before upgrade was so obvius i couldnt really believe it. Its like two different amps. But it also sort of gave me dilemma. I bought the pre to enhance quality of sound, and to have two sources. The csp3 adds some hum (not noticeable except when ear to speaker, while the monos are dead quiet,. I might have an issue with settings on gain, and havent experimented a lot.
i might have to add the upgrades to the CSP3 in near future, but i am little worried the added link in the chain isnt optimal for best sound.

Any thoughts?

Jorgen,

Is there one of your sources in particular that the hum is an issue? (Phono for ex.), or is the hum present with all sources?

The reason I ask is, I just got a CSP3 myself, and it can magnify a phono related hum I already had a slight issue with - unless I tweak the gains on both the CPS3 and my SE84UFO.

I just learned after a few days of experimenting with the settings, that there is a definite difference in my settings going from phono to digital. I have the main volume and the outputs on the CSP3, and also my volume on my amp set 3 or 4 clicks higher when playing from a digital source. Switching to phono, with those same settings, the gain is too much, and brings my hum front and center. I have to turn all settings down some, until the hum is barely audible, again on both the amp and the CSP3, and then the sound is perfect.

I hope this helps. If not, the standard check of cable routing and component location/proximity is next.

Good luck. A hum issue can be the most aggravating thing about this hobby!