I am joining the tube club

[hoosier21]

I made a deal on a small Triode amp, it is a Decware Zen SE 84B. I have been looking at this site for a long time, I like the low price and simple design, and hope this little gem is the ****.

MFG Link: http://www.decware.com/zpage1.htm
Reviews: http://www.audioreview.com/Amplifiers/Decware+Zen/PRD_115750_1583crx.aspx

I know its low on power and high end looks, but it is a low cost baby step to see if tubes are for me. I will keep you posted on what I find.

[jrausch]

Most of the reviews look killer. Which speakers are you going to drive with this amp? It seems there are certain requirements of speakers that would be more suited to this amp. I would think that a mono block setup would be needed to maximize the output of a pair of 4ohm 88db Lsi's. Good luck with your new purchase and keep us apprised of your findings. :cool:

[madmax]

Woo Hoo!!! That looks like an interesting little amp. I'm afraid I have no real input on this style amp because I have never tried one but I hear you need very efficient speakers to get good level out of them. Let us know how it goes. It says you have 30 days to make up your mind so that sounds pretty safe. Lets look at power. Ten times the power makes it twice as loud. That means a 50w tube amp will be twice as loud as this one. (50 watt tube amps are VERY loud). I think these will give you a decent listening volume.
Good luck!
madmax

[hoosier21]

I have a pair of RT25i that should be ok with this amp. I am already thinking of another one to run them in monoblock, there is one on Ebay now.

[HBombToo]

If after you get started and want more power here is a good start.

http://www.svetlana.com/graphics/products/pdf/SV300Bspec.pdf

Long story short this triode can do 450V across the Plate and deliver 100mA of DC Current. Huge POWER Rating of 40Watts before melting the anode! I would need to see some details of the Power Transformers to see if you would need to upgrade but this will give you something to think about.

OH... I forgot to tell ya that if you go with the 12AX7 you can in theory double the power because of the current split through the dual triode.

HBomb

[hoosier21]

well that was a fun 24 hrs, the deal is off, I will search for another, maybe look for a 20wpc as a min.

[HBombToo]

20 is good

[RuSsMaN]

Email me Russ, we need to talk.

10wpc tube mono's
http://www.divertech.com/aslwaveav8.htm
or
20wpc tube mono's
http://www.divertech.com/aslwaveav20dt.htm

Paired with this pre
http://www.divertech.com/aq2004dt.html
or this pre
http://www.divertech.com/aslwavel1.htm

Cheers,
Rooster

[madmax]

Russman,
I'm just thinking here but are these really the same? First of all there are the reviews of the one hoosier was after. Beyond that I think it has a tube rectifier and these use diodes. (big difference in sound---good or bad I'm not sure). And I don't believe these have point to point wiring. I'm just wondering if we are talking apples to apples? Don't get me wrong, I like my ASL headphone amp and I'm sure the other stuff is decent. I'm wondering if they are the same though.
madmax

[RuSsMaN]

Actually, I was looking for the article, wango posted it some time ago. I guy that bought the ASL Wav8's swapped the diode with an 'Audiocap' capacitor (I think), and said it was a major improvement.

While on the topic of no-diodes, have you seen the nOrh tube int?

http://www.norh.com/products/se9/index.html

Cheers,
Russ

[Jstas]

Why not go with one of these two amps?

Antique Electronic Supply (http://www.tubesandmore.com/new/scripts/silverware.exe/catalog@d:/dfs/elevclients/cemirror/ELEVATOR.FXP?PAGE=SUBCAT&SEARCH_TREE01=KITS&SEARCH_TREE02=AUDIO)

At 90 bucks for a mono amp and 140 for a stereo amp, they are much more financially insiginificant investment than 300, 400 or 500 dollar amps. They aren't up on power as much as the others are but I have found in my own personal experience that its a very goo beginner's amp to get into and learn something about tube amps. Especially since it is a kit and you have to put it together. If you are so inclined that is.

[madmax]

The Nohr amp is really cool. I like that they are using EL-34 tubes. I like the pricing of it better than the ASL.

I think if you wanted a starter amp and wanted to learn about them the AES would be a cool little project.

madmax

[wangotango68]

try thishttp://www.tubehifi.com/

scott:cool:

[madmax]

Using tubes is just part of the equation. If in the end you do not have the total package, who really cares. I think the combination of tubes, good music and a trustworthy affiliation with fellow enthusiastes is key. Otherwise, you are missing out on the basics.
madmax

[F1nut]

That's going to buzz the tower.......

[madmax]

Not really, it's all part of the fun of getting into something new. Especially when you build a relationship with someone who is really into it. Before you know it you end up helping them as much as they help you. My friend who is into guitar amps got me into tubes. Now we throw around tube lingo every day. It really fuels the fire!
madmax

[audiobliss]

Email me Russ, we need to talk.

10wpc tube mono's
http://www.divertech.com/aslwaveav8.htm
or
20wpc tube mono's
http://www.divertech.com/aslwaveav20dt.htm

Paired with this pre
http://www.divertech.com/aq2004dt.html
or this pre
http://www.divertech.com/aslwavel1.htm

Cheers,
Rooster

Well now I have the stats on the Wave 8, but the page on the AQ2004DT has been pulled. :(

[shack]

Imagine that....the thread is only 2 1/2 years old.

Try here....

http://www.tubehifi.com/amp/amp/aq2004dt.html

[audiobliss]

Awesome! Thanks!

[organ]

Bliss,
Don't know why but the 2004 on that link looks like sh*t. I saw the same pic on the website I ordered mine from but the actual unit is black and looks much nicer than what's on the link. I think the one pictured is the non "DT" version. As you already know, ASL is from China and those that are shipped to North America have "DT" which stands for Divergent Technologies (N. America's distributor) with upgraded caps and stuff. I hope you find yours soon.

Maurice