Aloha!

The CSP3 has returned with both channels now in good order.  Took 2 weeks grand total, including shipping both ways.  Here are my initial impressions of the brand new to me ZRock2 and CSP3.

Associated equipment:

Marantz SACD 30n —> ZR2 —> CSP3 —>
Marantz Model 30 (integrated)
iFi Zen Stream
Magnepan LRS w/ MagnaRiser MultiRiser stands
REL HT/1003 sub
Duelund cabling

At first I tried with the Model 30 in integrated mode which sounded quite good.  Then dug through the Marantz manuals and put the Model 30 in power amp mode.  The power amp and preamp sections have separate power supplies.  In power amp mode, the preamp section is entirely shut off.  It uses the same Bruno Putzey NCore class D modules found in the Rogue Dragon ($4k) and Marantz PM-KI Ruby ($4K) and PM-10 ($9k).

Set the SACD 30n in variable output mode so I could control volume via remote there.

Holy smokes!  Turning preamp duties entirely over to the CSP3 caused things to catapult into never before heard by me sonic terrain.  My listening notes go something like “that’s ridiculous” and “outrageous” - repeated 20 times.  The two Decware pieces bring so much to the table.  To a table that heretofore I did not know existed.

The ZRock.  Wow.  What a device.  A long ways back I had posted a question on the forum if the ZRock is any different than just using the Roon EQ at similar settings?  I can say emphatically that the ZRock2 is a completely different beast.  The Model 30 has analog bass and treble controls, but they don’t come remotely close to replicating the ZR2.

It’s not simply a bass boost but rather some sort of masterful, esoteric recreation of the bottom end.  With the switch on the back down (not sure if that’s A or B), I was able to listen to my version of rock music (Grateful Dead, Dire Straits) like I’ve never heard it before.  In Steve’s ZR2 demonstration video he plays a Boston song and switches the ZR2 on and off to show the “hit”.  Honestly, I had never heard of a “hit” before that video.  In real life, wow, now I know what a hit is.  Absolutely amazing.  And once again, it’s not just elevated bass, it’s something else.  The YouTube video really doesn’t do the real life experience justice.

And while I had to dial it back a bit, the ZR2 added a nice dimension to the Analog Productions Getz/Gilberto SACD.

When I disengaged the ZR2, the music became anemic.  And yet that anemic state is how I’ve always listed to music!

The CSP3 has added a different sort of layer.  The output gain and dual volume controls (thanks Lon) allow a very sophisticated type of sound tailoring.  The soundstage is now much better ordered, a bit wider, and more 3D.  And there’s a certain "je ne sais quoi" that makes everything sound more natural, more right.  The ZR2/ CSP3 combination is formidable.

It has been 5 years since I first read about the virtues of a tube preamp and solid state power amp.  It took all that time to acquire the right pieces.  And now I feel I’ve reached a certain plateau.  It sounds so freakin’ good.  I’m hoping, praying, heck, sacrificing a first born that I can step off the audiophile gear upgrade merry-go-round for many years to come.  Enough research and buying gear!  Can easily see settling into this setup for the next 20 years.  

Ok.  In a few years perhaps I’ll get the Decware 25th anniversary mods.  And I need a better sub.  But that after that, it’s over, no more gear!!

Thanks to you all for being a part in guiding me through the Decware universe.  And especially to Lon and Will for your near endless stream of generous advice.

Was it worth the one year wait? Absolutely.  Would’ve been worth a 3 year wait.  

Outstanding.

John, I am so relieved that it was all worth it for you! And that what we advised and tried to describe has led to such a satisfying result!

Now you have a whole new universe of sound ahead of you. I know you will be listening, listening, listening.

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DS, I too prefer the switch down.  Would you mind describing the difference you hear switch up and switch down?  For me the switch up seems to muddy thing up.  I think this is opposite of what I expected from reading Steve's description of the A and B equalization curves.

lol

I too wondered if mine was cross wired.  I never use the up position since that one always seems to muddy the sound.  Could be lots of local factors with my room and speakers though.  Since Steve posted that long explanation about "engineered rooms," I have less to say!

I've had four ZROCK2s, and I sold one as I had bought it to use while another was being upgraded and updated. Each and every one of them I felt was correctly oriented as far as EQ A and B. A definitely gives the most bass and midrange EQ, which in some systems may seem "muddying it up," and B gives bass response without too much jockeying with other frequencies, and the bass EQ doesn't really come in until it is really dialed up in my system and does give "hit". . . but I need this B curve far less often, I rarely ever use it. Probably for room reasons I need more bass response and I love and rely on the sound that the ZROCK2 allows me to get out of my system.

I think mine is wired correctly.  I jut don't like the up setting.

A is designed to be up, on the switch on the back. Does it really matter if you can switch between them.

From the webpage:

DUAL EQ SETTINGS

The ZROCK2 has two built in EQ curves that have been crafted to accomplish the goal on two basic types of systems. Both are fully adjustable letting you "dial-in" just how much EQ you want.

The EQ switch is located on the rear.  When the switch is UP it is using EQ-A and when the switch is DOWN it is using EQ-B.

EQ-A is designed for systems that characteristically sound lean.  That is to say the speaker/room combination yields results similar to the graph above where bass is diminished.

EQ-B is designed for systems that have perfectly good bass when it's in the recording, but you want to listen to classic rock where many of the recordings lack bass at low volumes.  EQ-B makes it possible to dial in a nice dry perfectly articulate hit without becoming too heavy.  

Both of these equalization curves have been designed so that the "perfect sound" is obtained at about the 3/4 position on the dial.  This way EQ-A can still be used to not only fix your room speaker issue, but still add bass when needed to lean recordings.  EQ-B, while characteristically drier is also a steeper EQ slope capable of more bass boost, and more high frequency cut when turned up all the way.

Fine. I just want to be sure we are talking about the switch on the back of the unit--I went back and forth with someone via PM before who was thinking the bypass switch on the front was switching between A and B.

Indeed.

John, that's all our world--what we are hearing is the variety of recorded material, each imperfect, some less imperfect than others, each falling short of perfection in different ways. Components like the CSP3 and ZROCK2 let you hear the imperfections, luckily the ZROCK2 allows one to work with them. Some will need A and some B. Almost every one can benefit from either.

In reading how the ZROCK2 is used among owners I have a working theory that the larger powered amplifiers provide more perceived bass in most rooms, and A may not need much application, but B can provide that three dimensional "punch" or "hit" that the lower powered amps deliver a bit better (in my experience) and yet the smaller amps benefit more from the application of A for lower mid and lower frequency texture and presence. That could explain why you and Archie find B more frequented and I find A almost exclusively the right curve for me.

Rooms play a part similarly I think, perhaps in a complimentary way. In my larger room I need less application of either curve as bass frequencies in particular have "room to move." In my main listening area, smaller, I crank the ZROCK2 with a heavier hand.

Either way I'm glad you get to experience the component and I think in time, once you just "surrender" to its total effectiveness and not entertain ideas of A or B you'll find it essential. Out of thousands and thousands of discs, I have decided to use the bypass on one consistently so far ("Lost on the River--The New Basement Tapes"--T-Bone has prompted the engineers to record enormous bass on that one!)

Looks like I need to pad my order with a ZROCK2. Been resisting the temptation.

Given Decware gear, I'm at the high power end with my ZMA so maybe Lon has a point and amp power is  thing with ZR2 settings.

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Yup.  I fell out of love with my ZR2 but a different tube brought it back.

GE GL 6201 Triple Mica Black Plate Military 12AT7

I think Steve may have first posted about this tube type in the ZR2 about 10 months ago.  It wasn't a GE but that was the closest I could find at a reasonable price.  Prior to trying this tube I had pulled my ZR2.

I just remember it was the latest "IT" tube and I'm glad I jumped on that bandwagon.  

I buy most of my tubes (OS & NOS) through eBay.

Any feed back about the Anniversary Mods? What is the tube regulation mod?

Well after adding the anniversary mods you will experience both stock and upgraded. One good thing about being on a budget. In the live and learn program myself.

Thanks and good luck.

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That's good!  Remember, My Pillow sells sheets sets.  

Lenin, Marx, Stalin....along with Shaw, Lennon and their likenesses....all need to be dug up and shot just for general purposes!  [smiley=icqlite20.png]

I’m less a classic liberal and more someone with an inherent distrust of sheets.

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Ha ha, no, I don't think so.  You'll still have to get your tee shirts from Decware.  

Was hesitant adding to my order. Things work them self out. My new order is 1400+ on the list. Ordered with all the mods plenty of time to budget upgrades now. Have a feeling getting on the list now is best at some point they may have to stop taking orders. Have no problem waiting. Looks like I'll be around here for a while.

Haha. Sounds good to me. But rules with no enforcement have little meaning.  Steve’s post was from a year ago and I’ve seen no implementation of it.  

When a small company is 3 years behind on orders, I’m sure forum moderation is a low priority.

Agreed, but it doesn't hurt to give it visibility hopefully to inspire compliance. Rules of a house I respect have meaning for me. I'll follow the rules, and  ignore the baiting and posting by others of political posts.