I can't comment on the precise lineups you proposed, but I do have experience with a Decware pre into SS amp and Decware integrated.

My comparison was a CSP2+ with a Pioneer Exclusive M4 (pure 50w Class A bipolar.) On the Decware integrated side, I have both a Zen84 C+ and a Mini Torii.

Bottom line, the CSP2/3 preamps feed SS amps beautifully and match pure class A especially well. The main benefit to this setup is the ability to drive a wide variety of speakers well. Not sure, but I assume the J7 doesn't have the power of the M4.

The Zen84 C+ and Mini Torii are both amazing amps. In general, I use them when I want something more intimate (although my MT can rock too.) They can still play loud, but are limited in speaker options. Of course, if you go with one of the higher watt PP Decware amps, the speaker limitations are fewer. I have no experience with the PP amps, but I don't think many would say they sound the same as a UFO25. Not worse, just different.

I'd probably say the starkest difference between the CSP2+/ M4 vs Decware integrated is that the SS is more authoritative but loses some of the imagery compared to the Zen84 C+ and MT. Thus my comment earlier about my choice between which I listen to being based on desired speakers, genre, and volume/ intimacy level. Not that the C+ or MT can't get loud, but rather that they don't do so as convincingly as the CSP/ M4 combo. This is probably most noticeable when listening to complex music (classical) at higher volumes. The C+ and MT can do dynamics, but don't handle wide swings of complex music at higher volumes like the SS. On the other hand, the imagery ability of the C+ and MT can be very satisfying.

Are you starting from scratch or do you already have a J7? This may lead you to a different answer. A CSP3 will drive any amp you get, provide the ability to tune sound through tube rolling, and still be of use if you eventually get a Decware amp (riding the gain can really add a lot to your sound.) If you already have an amp, a CSP3 may make more sense.

On the other hand, I have read awesome things about the UFO25. With the possible exception of power limitations, I don't read about anyone having regret over their purchase. In fact, I have read somewhere (I think on this forum) that they do best the First Watt amps. I love my Decware amps.

Best of luck!

Thank you for your thoughtful and detailed replies.

I don't currently have a power amp  - I'm upgrading from a Rega Brio integrated and have been aiming for a UFO25. I began wondering if instead, i should be considering a Decware pre and a quality SS power amp.

Loudspeakers are Omega Jr. Alnico Towers rated @ 95db, though I don't have them yet.  These are also part of my upgrade journey, as I ordered them in November and should receive them within a week or so.

I generally listen near-field at moderate levels and am much more interested in holographic soundstage than slam. I listen to mostly jazz and acoustic music.

Based on all this, it sounds like I'm aiming in the right place with the UFO25, unless I were to eventually settle on a less sensitive speaker and require the heft of a SS amp in the chain.

Others may have more to add that will be helpful, but when I listen to jazz and acoustic, I tend to prefer my SE84C+ or Mini Torii. They "bloom" (just sound better I guess) at lower volumes. My SS has to be played a little louder to achieve the same "fullness." As stated before, they do the holographic imaging better than the SS. Acoustic Jazz, such as Muddy Water's Folk Singer is absolutely sublime with either Decware integrated I own.

From what you've said about your listening preferences and speaker efficiency, it sounds like the SE84UFO25 would suit you better.

I have a CSP3 paired with SS monoblocks and I’m very pleased with the combination. It’s not exactly the same as the previously owned Rachel paired with Klipsch RP-160s that I started with, but I graduated to less efficient but better sounding (to me) speakers and I needed more output to satisfy my ears.

Filthnoise,

My system, as it is set up today, has a fully modded ZROCK2 feeding a fully modded CSP3.  The CSP3 with 25th mods is feeding two SS amps—a First Watt J2 and a LFD NCSE.  (My CSP3 has dual stereo outputs.)  The J2 is driving a pair of Voxativ 1.6 full range drivers wide open with no crossover.  The LFD is driving eight Pure Audio Project 15” NEO Woofers with a pair of inductors serving as 6db/octave crossovers at 100 hertz.

To my ears, in my room, with my system, the J2 reproduces gloriously beautiful music.  Just the right amount of detail and resolution for me.  When I bought the J2, Mark at Reno Hi-Fi told me that the J2 does not sound like a tube amp, but to my ears it sounds, surprisingly, very much like a great tube amp.  It might sound that way due to the ZROCK2 and the CSP3 25th in the signal path, but whatever the cause, it sounds as good as any amp I’ve had in my system across the past 51 years.  I also currently have a Cary 300SEI with extensive mods that is loaded with Western Electric 300B’s; the Cary and the First Watt take turns driving the Voxativ full rangers.  Both amps sound fantastic being fronted by the ZROCK2 and the CSP3-25th.

And yes, I also have owned two different Decware amps that were used in my main system without a preamp.  I didn’t care for the sound of either, but in all fairness to those amps, my digital front end was an OPPO 205 at that time, and it was very “digital” sounding compared to my current front end.  I also strongly suspect that a ZROCK2 and CSP3-25 fronting any Decware amp would likely allow me to tailor the sound much more to my liking than what I got when using Decware amps as stand alone integrated amps.

Doug