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NOTE: This is an alternate version of our SE84CKC SuperZen
amplifier, pictured left. The main difference is the chassis and the slightly more
purist approach by eliminating the input selector switch and making the
amp work with a single source only. One set of input jacks goes through the
volume control, one set is direct. Additionally the bias switch that
typically adjusts the sound from laid back to punchy has also been
deleted in favor of a simpler signal path. The sound of this amp was voiced in
between the two settings.
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| "If
you haven't heard a Zen Triode Amplifier... you're in for a really
pleasant experience! It floats music in 3D space like very few amplifiers
can. Designed and built in the USA it comes with no
disappointments."
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The Zen Triode is a single-ended
amplifier that out performs most popular amplifiers with a simple
less-is-more approach. Less internal parts, More realistic
sounding music. Of course there's a fair amount of good Karma that
comes with hand building each one without circuit boards!
This
is the highly polished version of our original Zen Triode amplifier, originally released in
1998. Since that time it has developed an almost cult following
among serious audiophiles.
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"For
those
who
adhere to the 'first-watt' theory of HiFi, here’s a bonus:
the Decware Zen amplifier gives you two. Yep, two watts per channel
single-ended triode. i must admit they are pretty big watts, as i had
no problem driving my reference GamuT s-7’s to a more than reasonable
level. (The s-7’s have a rated
sensitivity of 89db at 1 watt and a retail price of $42k per pair.)"
"What really sets the Zen apart from all the moderately priced tube
amplification i’ve heard is its incredibly lifelike tonality
and
bass control."
-Jeff Dorgay, Tone Audio Magazine
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This
2
watt
per
channel
Single Ended Triode
amplifier is capable of driving almost a dead short - rare in the world
of
SET amplifiers! It can be driven directly from any source (such
as your CD player or DAC) without a preamp. It will drive typical hi-fi
speakers to conversation listening levels and hi-efficiency speakers
(94dB 1w1/m) to a satisfyingly loud level. The amplifier operates in
pure class A and has zero negative feedback.
The bass surprises
everyone, and the amp features two inputs and a selector switch so you
can have
two sources. The volume control is mounted on the front.
Tubes for it are more than affordable, the amp is self biasing
making it a completely hassle free experience to own and enjoy one.
It comes with a lifetime warranty because it's actually built
that well.
 WHY DOES THIS AMP
SOUND SO MUCH BETTER?
Well,
it's
the
real
deal...
It's
not
mass
produced. It's hand-built, point-to-point wired using only part leads
to
limit the solder nodes. Only 2 resistors and 1 capacitor are in the
signal
path and there is a Silver ground buss. It uses US Made proprietary
output and power
transformers in a high mass steel chassis of the highest quality -
all built by skilled (and well paid) artists here at Decware.
The SV83 output tubes are among the most linear in the world when
triode wired.* We think
that this tube is the most neutral sounding. And then there is
owner of Decware, Steve Deckert's flawless Zen design that
separates this amp from other high quality boutique competitors.
There's been so many 300B and 2A3 amplifier owners that have switched
to the Zen Triode that we've lost count. We bring that up because most
people who haven't heard one can't wrap their head around the concept
that an amplifier costing less than a grand could sound better than a high dollar amplifier -
but the Zen amp does. The more you read about it and learn about Decware the easier this statement is to believe.
* SV83/6P15P-EB Data Sheet.
The SE84ZS+ amplifier uses EL84, or SV83 output tubes and
your choice of 6N1P, 6DJ8 or 6922 input tubes.Compatible rectifiers are 5U4, 5AR4, 5Y3GT and some 274B's.
 Top Quality Gold / Teflon input jacks and fused IEC connectors are provided for use with hi-end cables. The amp
is self biasing so you never need to adjust the bias and the bias will
never drift out of adjustment. While we ship it with a military grade version of the SV83 called a 6P15P-EB featuring Gold plated Grids from Russia.
The output channels are self balancing meaning it is also possible
to use non-matched output tubes without channel imbalance.
MONO BLOCKS
 Worried about 2 watts being
enough power? Bridge the amps into mono and quadruple your power!
The
SE84ZS amplifiers employ a unique floating
output transformer scheme where the negative speaker wire is not tied
to chassis ground. That means when the amp is bridged, both channels
may either be series or parallel wired. In series, both channels work
as one and transparency is preserved.
So
with
no sonic drawbacks to running the amps
in mono, you can expect 6 dB of additional power rather then the
expected 3dB. This is thanks to the power increase the amp has when it
sees half the speaker load from being series bridged.
IDEAL SPEAKERS
We
have
successfully driven hundreds of different
loudspeakers ranging in efficiency from 90 to 100dB 1w/1m. On 90dB
speakers it works nicely in smaller rooms or for late night out of body
experiences. 94 to 96 dB speakers are almost ideal in that they let you
play beyond a normal listening level and preserving the dynamic
headroom. When these amplifiers were first released in 1997 there were
a minimal number of "high efficiency" speakers to choose from. Today
that is no longer the case - they are everywhere. We also offer several
different types of
loudspeakers that will work with this amp.
If
you
own speakers that
you love and are afraid this may not drive them understand two things:
A) It will drive them louder then you're expecting and B) you can
bridge these amps into mono blocks. Because of the power increase
into lower ohms, you will net 6dB of additional power. Same thing as
doubling your power... twice.
The SuperZen can be configured for speakers between 2 and 6 ohms OR for speakers between 6 and 16 ohms from within the Shopping Cart.
TUBES
This
amp
is
shipped
with
graded
premium
quality
N.O.S. 6P15P-EV output tubes rated at 5000 hours. These Russian
military spec tubes are the top grade of what we came to know in this
country as the SV83. You can also use EL84's without adjustments of any
kind. You'll find the SV83's to be unparalleled in speed and
detail - in part because it is a video tube with much wider bandwidth
then a normal audio tube. We think these are the best sounding
most transparent tubes available today. The EL84 (6BQ5) is a bit warmer
sounding giving the amp a different signature by just switching output
tubes.
The
input
tube
is
a
single
6N1P,
6922 or 6DJ8
- your choice. 6N1P's have the warmest tone, 6922's have the best
dynamics, 6DJ8's have the most air and micro-detail with a touch less
bass. Again, a powerful tool for voicing your amplifier to your
particular tastes.
The
rectifier location is compatible with 5U4G, 5AR4, 5Y3GT, and some 274B. Many owners of this amp like using
the 274B however not all 274B tubes are completely compatible, so we
ship the amp with one that we know IS. Each rectifier change will also
make audible differences in
the sound and performance of the amplifier.
CABLES
This
amplifier
is
so
transparent
that
differences
between
cables will now become big differences. This is true
for both interconnects and speaker cables. Be sure to try a
couple different cables along the way as your amp can only sound as
good as the cables connected to it.
SUPPORT
This
amplifier
is
hand
built
in
the
USA by
DECWARE / High Fidelity Engineering Co. It comes with a lifetime
warranty to the original owner. If you purchase one second hand and
ever have questions or technical problems we WILL be happy to check it
out for you and service it if needed for a very reasonable rate.
We
also
have a support forum
with
many people who own this amplifier who's experiences you may benefit
from.
REVIEWS
You may
read
reviews
on
this
amp going back 11 years.
This amplifier requires no adjustments
or maintenance other than changing tubes every couple years. It is a
self biasing design and self balancing meaning even unmatched tubes
become matched when installed. The SV83 (6P15P-EV) or EL84 output
tubes
wired in triode were chosen over 300B, 2A3, 45, and other triodes for
having the best sound and imaging.
| Weight
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17 lbs. ea.
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| Dimensions
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8.0" H x 6.125"
W x 12.0" D
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| Circuit type
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Single ended
Class A Triode
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| Power output
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2.3 watts
RMS into 4 ohms
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5
watts RMS into 8 ohms bridged
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Power increases
as ohms decrease
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Stable into 1
ohm speaker loads
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| Input voltage
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2.0 volts for
full output
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| Noise / Hum
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Less
than 1.5 millivolts
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| Response
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20 Hz ~ 20 kHz
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| Feedback
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ZERO negative
feedback used
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| Rectification
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5U4G / tube
rectification
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| Output tubes
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SV83 or
EL84/6BQ5
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| Signal tube
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6N1P or 6922 or
6Dj8
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| Transformers
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Decware
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| Biasing
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Self-Biasing
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| Resistors
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precision WW/MF
by DALE, VISHAY
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| Signal Cap
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Film and Foil with Silver leads
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| AC cord
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Removable power
cord
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| Consumption
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65 watts at
full power
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| Input jacks
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RCA type 24K
Gold / Teflon
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| Output
jacks
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5-way
binding
posts
accept
10
gauge
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| Speaker
dB/1w
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89
dB
minimum
/
96
dB
is
ideal
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| Warranty
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Lifetime
to
original
owner
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OWNERS
MANUAL
for
this
amplifier (pdf format).
RELATED
INFO
Frequency Response
Steve's
papers for audiophiles
We offer this
amp with a
30 day money
back trial
so you can
hear
one
in your own room!
Available in 120 or 240 volts.
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