Lon,

I’m glad to hear that you had a positive effect with the Mad Scientist Audio black nano disks. I have to say that I was skeptical at first when I got them years ago… But once I tried them on my tube gear I did notice the lowered noise floor as well.  Prior to owning both of my Decware tube amps… I had used it on my solid state home AV receiver and did  notice variations as well… but they were more profound when I use them on both Decware amps.  I do plan to order more now that I just got my ZRock2.   I’ve also been very intrigued about swapping out the fuses in both my amps… But I know that they can get a bit expensive so for right now I’m going to hold off. I just picked up the Rega Fono MM K5 preamp, so right now I have shifted my focus a bit into vinyl.  It never ends but it’s so much fun!

Dom

Dom, CA's advice above is good. Start small and see if you hear the difference. I started with Furutech fuses that they don't seem to make any longer and the most basic Audio Magic fuses and I heard the difference. . . darn it. And I've heard improvements all the way up the ladder of the Synergistic Research (I started off with a used blue I bought from a PS Audio forumite. . . and then Orange which I actually liked the least) and then Purple. And with Audio Magic went to Super and then M-1.

I'd be surprised if you didn't hear the difference. I'd liken it to tube-rolling to really really good tubes.

Dom,

Are you in the US? I have a pair of 3 amp fuses I bought on ebay from China for my UFO and ZP3. They were cheap and I'm a skeptic that wanted to hear what a fuse could do before spending on "good" ones. They did make a difference, I thought they were a bit bright for my tastes. If you're in the US, PM your address and I'll send you one. I'm going to keep one for emergency use I don't need two. I got a pair of Oranges from PCX when they were clearing them out. I like the oranges, but have only heard the stock fuse and the Chinese fuses. I believe the Orange fuses are being discontinued. Anyhow, I figure trying one out won't hurt, maybe it works better for you.

Sean, have you tried changing the direction on the fuse that is a little bright? I find with fuses one direction is a little brighter than another, for whatever reason.

The M-1 fuse has completely settled in now and with the Sunbeam (Holland made) 12AU7 in the ZROCK2 I am getting just the right sound. I have left the system alone as far as tube-rolling for over a week which is almost some sort of record.

In fact the system is sounding so so good I feel like a madman inviting an SEWE300B into my listening room, especially since I have a new DAC coming and that will be another jump in sound quality, and another layer cost to manage. But. . . I just have to hear the 300B and I realize now I really can't keep both the Monoblocks AND the 300B so the winner will stay after a month or so . . . .

Wow, I never thought I'd be in this upcoming position.

Glad you tried both directions, sad that neither was really right. "Bright" is my worst enemy as well. I had Orange, and in my system there was an edginess that I kept gritting my teeth listening to when I had more than one. I went from there to Purple and Audio Magic M-1 and the mix of those is perfect for me. Yes, they are expensive--but this is where I spend my money AND they really do make a difference in the system. I already have another M-1 for the new PS Audio DAC coming in a week or two (perhaps) and I'll have to think about which of the two fuses to use in the SEWE300B when it arrives (takes two!)

It's nice to see that others find fuses to make an impact; I'm not the only crazy one.

Dom,

I got the fuses from PCX, I think they were $80 each. https://www.partsconnexion.com/srfuse-orange.html

Since they are discontinued, they may be tough to find. I believe on Audiogon they do a buy two, get one free a few times a year.

A few guys here are getting their vinyl side up n running. I think my vinyl side is set up where it'll be for awhile. For the past two weeks I've been getting my digital file side smoothed out. I upgraded the card in my Schiitbox Bifrost and while it's no world beater, I'm finally able to sit and relax and not have digital "cringe" or "glare". I wonder if the fuse in the Schiit...oh look, rabbit hole!

Doh! Sorry to hear that. I had fuse blowing anxiety for a bit, every time I power things up it goes away a little bit.

Sean,

Thanks for the info.  I know we are supposed to use a 3A  slo blow fuse but  parts connection only has the 3.15 A fuse listed.  While I’m sure the 3.15 A fuse is fine to use….did you happen to order a  3A fuse and they are now just out of them…or did you buy the 3.15A fuse?  

Lon….I was surprised when you originally said you would possibly sell your monoblocks if you preferred the 300B better.  I love my  fully modified SE84C+ Amp, so I’m hoping someday I’ll get lucky enough to acquire another one to have a monoblock setup.  It won’t have the VR tubes like your mono’s …but I’m ok with that.  

Today I have a free day…so I’ll be running both the Torii and the Zen amp as I go through some new Vinyl I bought, and search my streaming services for new music to listen to.  

Dom

Roger,

Thank you. I just didn’t know since this is my first go round into exploring fuses.  At half off….it makes no sense not to dive in.  There is so much positive feedback from everyone here by upgrading their fuses that I’ve developed FOMO!  

Dom

Confirming what HK said, 3.15 is what I put in my ZP3 and UFO.

FOMO - the struggle is real. No matter the improvements and upgrades I make, there’s always “just one more”!

Dom,

My Bifrost is the original version. A friend who now has a Brooklyn gave it to me. He hated that I was using a cheapie DAC. To be honest, before the Bifrost I didn't "sit down" to listen to anything other than vinyl. Anyway, it had v2 USB and I went to the Unison USB, which is the last and only upgrade available. Figured since the DAC was free, $180 to upgrade wasn't too bad. To sum it up in one sentence the upgrade was like installing a 3d switch, the width didn't improve much, but the depth was night and day better. Before the upgrade, it sounded like a wide and tall flat surface. Now it's more upfront with good depth. If it gets me a year or so of use, I'll be happy and have time to look at better DACs.

Sean,

Thanks for the info!  I thought you had the newer generation like mine.  Yes the Unison USB sounds fantastic.  When I run it while playing music through Roon, it has so much more dynamic range than going through the optical connection.  My Bifrost came stock with Unison USB.  My upgrade takes the XLR output board and upgrades it to be fully balanced….along with other  improvements.  So stupid that they didn’t do it that way from the start, but maybe that was their plan all along, knowing most guys would shell out the cash for the upgrade.

Dom

Lon, super interesting — would you mind sharing a picture of this setup?

Thanks, that helps and also answers the question I had of how it actually sticks on.

As I think Will mentioned a month or so ago any changes to sound purity are important. I have a lot going on in that department, but still little incremental changes have cumulative impact.

The 25th Anniversary Experience seems to continue to be chameleon and shape shifter-like.

Today, after sorting through 12AU7 type tubes in the holdings this week (over 50 including all the compatible types!) I settled on an Amperex 6211 for the ZROCK2 and experimenting ended up with every tube in my system being an Amperex except the English 0C2 type voltage regulation tubes under the Monoblock chassises and the power tubes (although I do have a pair of Amperex EL84 I may try later). 7308s in the ZTPRE and the Monoblocks, 5R4WGA and 0A3 in the Monoblocks, that 6211 in the ZROCK2.

A very "classic" sounding presentation with warmth and yet punch. I'm really digging it!

I wonder if the SEWE300B will offer such a flexible and tunable nature. I bet it will.

Lon….I know for a while you really liked the Amperex Holland Pinched Waist 7062 in your ZROCK2.  How would you compare that to the 6211 that you are using now.  What do you like more about one tube over the other?  

My ZROCK2 is still fairly new, but when I’m ready to roll tubes in the ZRock2, I have a number of the Amperex Holland Pinched Waist 7062’s that I bought ahead of time.  I do like it in my ZSTAGE in the relaxed position, so no complaints on the sound.  

Dom

Lon,

Like you indicated….the 7062 gave my ZSTAGE a kick in the arse for sure!  Great dynamics with big sound.  But I did notice that as I upped the ZSTAGE gain past 3/4 I noticed the air really blossomed.    So when I run the 7062 in the ZSTAGE….I tend like the sound with the front switch  in the relaxed position.  Right now I’m using a GE NOS 12AU7 from Upscale Audio in the ZSTAGE and it’s dead silent with nice air and it’s crystal clear when pushed.   I bought Kevin’s stash and it’s damn good.  I also have a NOS RCA 12AT7WA black plate military tube from 1965… I’ve been really itching to give that a try in the ZSTAGE.  

Since I’m now back in the new house…my system has dramatically changed with the addition of my ZBIT, ZROCK2, new Rega phono preamp, and now my new SE84C+ with full Anniversary mods.  Needless to say I’ve been doing a lot exploring lately.  I am waiting for a small stash of TFK PCC189’s to come in from Europe, so that will go in the Zen’s input stage, and then once that tube settles in, I’m going to pull the stock tube out of the ZROCK2 and put the 7062 in.   I’ll report back ounce that happens.

Thanks for your feedback on the 6211’s… I may have to give that a try.

Dom

Just days later. . . I pulled out the Amperex 0A3 and put in Amperex 0D3 which are a better fit.

There's something about 0A3 with the other tubes in the complement that I favor that initially are great to listen to and then begin to fatigue me. There is just a dab of thickness to the sound that I don't adjust to. These 0D3 are quite nicely balanced tonally and are also giving me a bit more of a laid back soundstage with more depth to the sides and center as well. Great tubes!

What I would really like to try are Amperex 0B3 tubes of any of the types (short straight, tall straight, bottle-shaped). I have never seen any for sale anywhere or evidence that Amperex Holland ever produced them. I have a feeling I would love them.

Things keep evolving in my systems. I have three great systems, the main audio being the very best BUT the other two having great qualities as well and fine tuning and tube-rolling really make things better. It's interesting how time and experience can lead one to tuning and experimenting which adds to an experience and knowledge bringing better sound.

In my main system right now I am using Amperex 6085 in my ZTPRE with converter bases and that brings the best sound that I have had from that component since I have had it. And a pair of made in Holland 7308 in the Monoblocks that seem like Goldilock's porridge, just right. That is with a recent change in voltage regulation: RCA 0D3 for the power tubes, a change from Arcturus 0B3--and still using 75C1 (0C2) for the input tubes. I can't keep Sophia Electric Aqua 274B out of the Monoblocks as rectifiers. A PS Audio P15 powers all.

With my new PS Audio DSD DAC Mk2 all seasoned and sounding fantastic I just have not had a better audio experience. There's a ZBIT and a ZROCK2 with the 25th Anniversary mods with Miflex caps and an Amperex Holland 12AU7 in the signal chain as well, both making a great influence. The HR-1s sing!

My headphone only bedroom system has been rejuvenated by newly installed Miflex caps in the 25th Anniversary configuration in my Taboo Mk IV, and by adding a Bottlehead Foreplay III preamp feeding that from my PS Audio DSD DAC Mk1 that is modded and a ZROCK with Jupiter II caps. The Foreplay III is a really interesting preamp with an RCA 0D3 and two Amperex 7062 as the tube complement. I have an early Amperex 6085 (pinched waist, D-Getter) in the ZROCK2 and a pair of Steve's output tubes, a Sophia Electric 274B and an Amperex 7308 in the Taboo. Killer headphone sound with either the ZMF Ori or Oppo PM-1 headphones. A Decware ZLC powers all.

And in the living room I am using an Oppo UDP-205 and DVR as a source (with a Wyred4Sound reclocker convering the DVR sound to 24/96) to a ZROCK2 with Anniversary mods with Jupiter II caps and a Sylvania 5963 from Steve, to a CSP3 with the Anniversary mods with Jupiter II caps and a glass resistor that is an amazing headphone amp with a pair of Sennheiser HD800S. The CSP3 has an RCA 5V4 rectifier and a US Amperex 7308 and two French 7308 as the driver tubes. It also feeds a DALAUDIO STUDIO 3886 R3 and the combo powers my first pair of HR-1 so well, a chip amp sounding like a big tube amp with all the CSP3 goodness. All powered by a PS Audio P10.

I'm so blessed to have these three great systems with 25th Anniversary features that just give me fantastic sound in three locations, a real boon as my wife is now retired and this gives me options to get more listening (and watching) time in. Decware is a key element in all this audio pleasure. I'm so grateful that I discovered Decware in '97.

Wow. . . in a few months or so there will be an SEWE300B to shake things up in the main system!

Thanks HK. Two factors I think shape my exploration into tuning and tailoring: I have time (though it just got less than before as my wife walked off her job and decided to retire) and music is perhaps my biggest interest in life and propels me and the equipment is a very important element to deepening my involvement.

This is an anchoring activity in my life and keeps out of trouble. . . for the most part.

Thanks to Lon I now have upgraded my preamp and jumped  back into the 25th Anniversay experience.


My ZSTAGE, which was my first ever piece of Decware gear, was recently sold.  I’m now waiting for Lon’s old CSP2+ with the 25th Anniversay mods to arrive this Wednesday.  This is a big upgrade and I’m really looking forward to hearing the changes.

The only thing left t I have to do is upgrade my second SE84C+ Amp.  I had to table this upgrade I order to free up funds for the addition of the CSP2+.  I’ll post my impressions in the upcoming weeks.

Dom

I second HK’s appreciation of your dedication Lon.  Even with time and opportunity, it’s a Herculean task! Hats off to ya!

Excited for your new acquisition Dom! Congrats!

Dom,
Your matching white plates got me thinking...more like what was I thinking! Sould have, could have, did not build the clone with one!
Cheers on your rig!
John

Got a chance to fire up the new CSP2+ today for a brief listening session.  First off I went through all the steps listed in the manual, and it’s dead silent.  After I matched my mono’s with the preamp, I sat and started to listen.  

First off…there is a big difference between the ZSTAGE and the CSP2+.  The  ZSTAGE does as advertised…. It adds gain.  The CSP2+ adds a lot more gain…. But it added another the textured layer to the sound. Even applying the same voltage output as I did with my ZSTAGE, the CSP2+  added warmth to the midrange making it more seductive,  made the highs a bit more crisp, and the bass is more pronounced.  I actually found myself backing off my ZROCK2 a bit.  

In Steve's description…he says the Anniversary mods for this  preamp made everything more juicy with blacker backgrounds.  Well… he was spot on.   By comparison my ZSTAGE felt more sterile and softer.

Right now I’m running the stock Decware 5U4G rectifier, a matched pair of the Wathen Cryotone 6N1P’s in the rear, and a single 6N1P in the front [forgot which one I installed…the brand is slipping me right now].  

So far I’ve only streamed some music through Roon, and played some CD’s through my Oppo.  I’m eager to hear how vinyl will sound, but I wanted to wait until I have some quiet time with no distractions.  

It goes without saying that the CSP2+ was a great addition, and has elevated my listening experience.  I’ll post sore more impressions next week.  

Dom