Forums - My Happy Place

Bluzrover

Senior Member

Posts: 67

My Happy Place
10/24/25 at 21:55:16

It’s taken me some time, and it’s not complete (is anyone’s audio system?), but I finally received my audio rack and have got my UFO25, ZP3, ZSB, Marantz CD60 and Rega Planar 3 RS settled into their respective resting places.

Still awaiting the ZROCK3 and ZLC and hoping I can get my hands on a CSP325 to round out my audio chain. It’s been a fun journey so far and now I’m ready to get started on a little tube rolling!

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Bluzrover Senior Member Posts: 67	Re: My Happy Place Reply #1 - 10/24/25 at 21:59:42 Here’s another view.
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Geno Seasoned Member Without music, life would be a mistake. Posts: 2271	Re: My Happy Place Reply #2 - 10/25/25 at 02:28:05 Nice Bluz! Love the rack!!! Congrats on a nice room and setup.
Back to top	(2)SE84UFO(Balanced Monoblocs) OR Sansui AU222/800 Cambridge Audio CXN(ModWrt) SL1210 MK5(KAB Mods) London Decca Maroon cart • Darlingt.Labs MP8b Otari MX5050-Bii2 R2R ZLC Power Cond Lii Audio PT-10 OR F-12 OR Betsy Alnico 8"/ W-15 in Open Baffles IP Logged

CAJames Seasoned Member "I've run every red light on memory lane." Posts: 3031	Re: My Happy Place Reply #3 - 10/25/25 at 16:34:05 Sweet setup! I agree a tube preamp like the CSP25 would make an excellent addition. Personally, I couldn't imagine having a system without one.
Back to top	[Volumio \| Jay's CDT2 MRK3] -> Denafrips Terminator 2 + Gaia Sumiko Pearwood -> Mapleknoll Athena -> Luxman SUT -> Mapletree Phono 3E STR-1002 -> Woo WA22 -> 2x UFO25s, balanced monos Omega SAM , Hifiman Arya, Audeze LCD-XC IP Logged

JBzen Seasoned Member Posts: 1607	Re: My Happy Place Reply #4 - 11/04/25 at 11:24:30 Nice rack! Enjoy your journey.
Back to top	LoopA[AMC CD8b>XO3>Stokes DAC>Carver C-9]LoopB[Ortofon 2M Black>JVC QL-F4/Otari MX5050B2>ZP3]LoopC[Cambridge CXN2>ZDAC>ZBOX>Zrock2]}CSP2+>SE8425th>9AWG silver/copper braid>lii Crystal 10" Huijgen Cabinets. Isolation. AC filtering. Room Treatment. IP Logged

Bluzrover Senior Member Posts: 67	Re: My Happy Place Reply #5 - 11/16/25 at 16:16:57 Thanks JBzen! Timbernation really delivered, although it took several months. But I’m thrilled with the quality and solidness of the rack. Now the waiting continues for the rest of my Decware gear to arrive!
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MeganDupre Verified Member Posts: 5	Re: My Happy Place Reply #6 - 12/12/25 at 08:13:56 Nice, I like it. Thanks for sharing it.
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Kahuna Jack Seasoned Member Posts: 225	Re: My Happy Place Reply #7 - Yesterday at 07:29:29 Sweet looking rack ! Cozy room too. Man it sure seems weird not seeing KC in the playoffs or SB.
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JBzen

Seasoned Member

Posts: 1607

Re: My Happy Place
Reply #8 - Yesterday at 11:07:44

Quote:

hoping I can get my hands on a CSP325

I purchased a used CSP2+ from a forum member during my SE84UFO25 wait. I was thinking of removing it to make room for Steve's new DynaGrid Jr. That thought just vaporized after receiving the anniversary amp. It has functions that work well with the amp and system. I talked to Steve about updating it to a full blown anniversary. He said that he can put it on the rack and see if all will fit but thinks it most likely can be done. Mine has a headphone jack, two inputs, and sub out(summed output). My one wish is one more input but most likely not probable without a new base plate.

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LoopA[AMC CD8b>XO3>Stokes DAC>Carver C-9]LoopB[Ortofon 2M Black>JVC QL-F4/Otari MX5050B2>ZP3]LoopC[Cambridge CXN2>ZDAC>ZBOX>Zrock2]}CSP2+>SE8425th>9AWG silver/copper braid>lii Crystal 10" Huijgen Cabinets. Isolation. AC filtering. Room Treatment.

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Lon

Seasoned Member

"Love without
guts is
worthless!"
Philip K. Dick

Posts: 27326

Re: My Happy Place
Reply #9 - Yesterday at 13:53:21

A CSP2+ is great--I had one that I had Steve add the 25th Anniversary mods to, that was an expense but really transformed the preamp. Well worth pursuing upgrades to the excellent "platform."

I'm glad that the SEWE300B doesn't need a preamp, and I found that it sounded better without the CSP3 with the Anniverfsary Mods I was using. But preamps really do add something special to the Zen amps.

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HR-1,ZBIT,ZROCK3,SEWE300B; Rega RP3 all GrooveTracer mods;PSAudio:PST+DSD, DAC Mk II,NPC,PowerBases,AC-12 pwr cbls, Reference spkrcbls; Mapleshade SamsonV3;VeraFi Audio cpts VooDoo:Cremona+Amati interconnects;Stack EQ; headphones:Sennheiser HD800S,ZMF Ori,Oppo PM1

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Kahuna Jack Seasoned Member Posts: 225	Re: My Happy Place Reply #10 - Yesterday at 19:28:34 I had 3 csp3's and 1 csp2+ . I rarely use them but I like it when I do. I've been experimenting with a Doge 8 also but sometimes it's just easier to go straight into the amp. A 25th csp3 would be awesome sitting next to the 25thUFO . I might have to add both to my collection some day.
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JBzen

Seasoned Member

Posts: 1607

Re: My Happy Place
Reply #11 - Today at 10:08:49

Lon, I'll admit that it was a tough decision once hearing the Sarah at Steve's place. My order was in for the SE84UFO25 prior to the 2023 Decfest. The Sarah was introduced at that time. It is one sweet gutsy amp without that syrupy 300b thickness. I left telling Sarah my plans of changing the order. Over time(3 years and 2 months) I stayed with the original order. Why? I wanted a transparent boost from the source. I'm happy so far with the decision as your are with yours Wink

I think my want for an additional input with plans to upgrade the CSP2+ has been solved. Your old ZP3 with Steve's added tape mod has so many plugged holes in it that could facilitate the necessary switches and RCAs.

Kahana Jack, I totally agree with a 25th paring. Don't want to go with the wait again. For me the two white tops with a 25th on the bottom works well. The trio can get me in audio bliss in short order. The black base CSP2+ is actually painted walnut and upgrading it to a 25th should take a matter of weeks.

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LoopA[AMC CD8b>XO3>Stokes DAC>Carver C-9]LoopB[Ortofon 2M Black>JVC QL-F4/Otari MX5050B2>ZP3]LoopC[Cambridge CXN2>ZDAC>ZBOX>Zrock2]}CSP2+>SE8425th>9AWG silver/copper braid>lii Crystal 10" Huijgen Cabinets. Isolation. AC filtering. Room Treatment.

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Lon

Seasoned Member

"Love without
guts is
worthless!"
Philip K. Dick

Posts: 27326

Re: My Happy Place
Reply #12 - Today at 10:43:56

They're all great amps. I found I needed the power the Sarah adds to the HR-1s, and not needing a preamp has saved me a lot of cash. I also need or prefer two balanced inputs and a ZBIT and ZROCK3 and I solved that issue with a Goldpoint 2 XLR into 1 that I managed to get at the fantastic price of just over a third retail list. So happy with all this. . . and a Dynagrid Jr. arriving today should be the icing on the cake.

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HR-1,ZBIT,ZROCK3,SEWE300B; Rega RP3 all GrooveTracer mods;PSAudio:PST+DSD, DAC Mk II,NPC,PowerBases,AC-12 pwr cbls, Reference spkrcbls; Mapleshade SamsonV3;VeraFi Audio cpts VooDoo:Cremona+Amati interconnects;Stack EQ; headphones:Sennheiser HD800S,ZMF Ori,Oppo PM1

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