In the spirit of moral support for those languishing on the list, I can reemphasize how worth it the wait is. I bought the base model CSP3 and ZR2 together, thus it's difficult for me to quantify exactly which device is responsible for which part of the loveliness, but I can say that with each listening session I become more and more enamored. For context, I am using a solid state Marantz Model 30 in power amp mode - Bruno Putzey class D.
The results are just stunning. There's a rightness to the music that I've never heard in my 25 years in this hobby. It draws me in on an emotional level like never before. Last night I listened to some non-audiophile CD's, Samite's "Salina Musango" (kalimba music) and David Wilcox's "Out Beyond Ideas" which has turned a variety of Rumi poems into songs. Part of my experience is of course influenced by the Marantz SACD 30n. Back in my DirectStream days, these less than high quality recordings had become virtually unlistenable under its high res lens. The Marantz brought them back to life, and the Decware gear has taken all of that to such an astounding level of musicality.
While I was listening I thought "wow, this sounds great". Two hours later, once the system had been long off, I thought "wow, that sounded great" - this morning, same thing, "wow, that sounded great". Decware sounds great even when not playing any music!
I'm unable to fully articulate why, but the Decware gear has brought a genuinely organic quality that registers in my mind as deeply right.
I honestly had no idea what to expect from the CSP3 and ZR2, therefore I cannot say that it has exceeded my expectations because I really had none. What I can say is that they have redefined what my expectations ought to be by opening a wonderful new door into the music I love so much.
You know how it is being an audiophile, the compulsive part of our brain that reads the magazines, forums and watches YouTube and is compulsively plotting the next equipment move? With the Decware gear added to the system, that compulsive part of my brain is being challenged like never before as it can't find anything that needs to upgraded! The key word being "need". Yes, I'm certain there is a endless road of possible upgrades, but I feel no need for them and can in no way justify the price it would take to better what I have.
Needless to say, that compulsive upgrade to infinity and beyond part of my brain is now struggling to sustain its most favored nation status in my head.
So lads, hang in there. It's all well worth the wait....