Hi Everyone,

I owned a SE84cex from 2005-2007. I absolutely loved this amp, but sold it due to changes in my living arrangements. What I appreciated most was its lush yet fast sound. It threw a fantastic soundstage and had a gorgeous midrange. I found the sound exciting, but never fatiguing. Detail, to my inexperienced ear, was exceptional. It was a real breakthrough moment in my “audiophile” journey.

I waited 13 years to own another Decware amp, and in April 2021 (after waiting impatiently for 12 months!), I received a Se84UFO with copper bypass mods. As you can imagine, I had enormous expectations for this amp and couldn’t wait to get it hooked up.

My modest system today is comprised of:
- Homemade Caintuck Audio Lii F15 open baffle loudspeakers
- A Sony HAPZ1ES audio player
- Homemade Duelund DCA16GA tinned-copper wire (interconnects & speaker wire) 

Unfortunately, I have not found the same level of enjoyment with this new amp as I had with the older se84cex. Like everything in audio there are lots of factors that combine to give a certain sound signature: the room, the tubes, the other equipment in the chain, etc. Before receiving the se84UFO I had the Musical Paradise MP-301 MKIII in my system, which I enjoyed very much.

I was expecting the se84UFO to be a significant, and clear, upgrade over the Musical Paradise amp. I was expecting a wider/deeper soundstage with the new Decware amp, greater detail, more holographic imaging, more magical midrange, more full-bodied presentation, greater refinement, etc. Unfortunately, outside a more refined sound, I don’t feel (in my room with my equipment and with my ears) that the Decware amp gave me any more of the qualities I had been hoping for.

The Decware seems to give less punch than the Musical Paradise (of course I understand that it outputs fewer watts: 2 watts versus 6.5 watts). Even with theF15 open baffles, I find I have to turn the volume knob to about 12 or 1 o’clock to get the volume I want. Also, everything sounds smaller, less expansive and less energetic to me through the Decware. Yes, it’s smoother and more refined, but for me there is something missing. It doesn’t seem to be breathing full-bodied life into the music like the MP amp does. I did not have this feeling at all with my previous se84cex amp.

I am not trying to be critical of the se84UFO, everyone has different tastes and is looking for a different sound signature. Perhaps the new Decware se84UFO sound is not for me. As it stands, after a year and a half, I am not getting the sound I am looking for.  

If you’re still reading this, thanks for making it this far! I have two questions:
1) Is it possible that something is wrong with my amp that is leading to this experience?
2) Are there any tube complements that might give me the sound I am looking for (nothing too pricey please)?

Thanks for any and all feedback. 

All the best,
David

Hi HockessinKid,

Thanks for your reply/suggestions.

I will double check the interconnects/speaker wires once I'm back at home. I didn't think interconnects/speaker wires had polarity. Are you talking about making sure "red goes to red" and "black goes to black"?

I do have my speakers pulled out 3 feet from the walls. I don't have the space to separate the speakers by 8-11' in my room:(

No I don't have any room treatments yet, but would like to some day.

Thanks again for your help.

David,

Does your last name start with A and end with I? If so, I currently own your old SE84C-EX.

I recently got a SE84UFO 25th anniversary, in my experience it was a significant upgrade that met my expectations. Overall, they both have a similar tone/sound but the UFO seems to have a "bigger, fuller" tone/sound.

Hi Sean,

Yes indeed, my last name starts with an "A" and ends with an "I". That's quite incredible that you are the person who bought my amp all those years ago! I forget, are you in Europe or did I ship it from the US? Anyway, it's great to hear that you're still around these parts and still have the se84cex and are enjoying your new se84UFO 25th anniversary amp.

Your comments really make me question whether or not something is wrong with my amp. Of course your amp is the 25th anniversary model and mine only has some of the mods, but I would expect I should be hearing a significant improvement in any case. Hmmm ....

Best of luck to you!

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There are lots of helpful people on these fora, but IMO if you want to know for sure the best thing to do is email or call Steve.

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CAJames,
Yes, that will be my next move if I don't find the answers here.

HockessinKid,

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Thanks, that's interesting. When I had the se84cex I used cat6 wire for my speaker cables and they sounded great. If I can, I'll give 12ga a try just to see.

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Yes, your name is on the tag on the bottom plate and inside the case. I have pics, but didn't want to post your name without consent. I can email them if you want to see without your name being out there.

Here's a pic of the block of wood:

Same Old DD,

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That's a funny way of putting it ... lol ... it wasn't the primary goal of starting this thread, but I did find the adoptive parent!

Sean,

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Yes, thank you for not posting my name on the forums No need to email the pics, thanks nevertheless for offering!

Yes, there is a block of wood inside the case! Must have been something done by Decware when changing the voltage of the amp.

CAJames,

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That is a really good point.

On my Musical Paradise amp, which apparently has a lot of gain, I reach my max listening levels at around 11 o'clock. On the Decware amp I have to turn the volume knob to about 1'o clock to get the volumes I want and even then I don't know if it's as loud.

I don't have any SPL testing equipment I can use, so I'll have to try to match volumes by ear. I also don't have a preamp or switch box which makes comparing the two amps more difficult. It certainly seems to me that I have to turn the volume knob way up on the se84UFO, something I don't remember doing with my previous Decware se84cex, even though I was using it with less sensitive speakers and in a slightly larger room.

I'll have to try to match the SPL by ear and make sure I'm comparing the two amps on equal footing.

Dominick,

Thanks for clarifying that. Maybe I just have to get used to turning the volume knob way up.