REVIEW: Decware Select Zen CSP2 Tube Headphone Amp - Page 19

Good to know that you have sealed the source side.  Did you mod the 999ES with multi-$k stuff? 

And I am glad CSP2 does the justice for you high-Z phones.  My understanding of the input level adjustment was to cope with DACs with 2.5V or higher output level and also already high-gain of CSP2.  The change of tonality is kind of side effect (but pleasant one).  Steve did mention that by lowering the input level the music sounds more "open" and not "compressed" and I can relate his comment with my listening experience with CSP2+. 

Skylab does mention high freq roll off with LCD-2.  Was that your problem?  No matter what, there might be more reasons to use SS and transformer-coupled amp for low-Z phone than just gain setting, such as current vs voltage need.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frank I 

LOL Source is no problem and you might be surprised since I do own the CSP-2 at how good the SS Matrix is and performs. My T1 and 770 are great with either amp but I do prefer the SS with the D7000. The new amp supposedly has volt adj to adjust for low impedance cans in my conversation with Steve Deckert

Quote:

Originally Posted by dukja 

Good to know that you have sealed the source side.  Did you mod the 999ES with multi-$k stuff? 

 

And I am glad CSP2 does the justice for you high-Z phones.  My understanding of the input level adjustment was to cope with DACs with 2.5V or higher output level and also already high-gain of CSP2.  The change of tonality is kind of side effect (but pleasant one).  Steve did mention that by lowering the input level the music sounds more "open" and not "compressed" and I can relate his comment with my listening experience with CSP2+. 

 

Skylab does mention high freq roll off with LCD-2.  Was that your problem?  No matter what, there might be more reasons to use SS and transformer-coupled amp for low-Z phone than just gain setting, such as current vs voltage need.
 

 

No mods on the 999ES. That is used in my 2 channel system.for SACD only and the DX7555 for redbook. I use the Marantz DV6001 with my headphone setup. No problem was just seeing if the new amp could be adjusted. Steve said the voltage was adjustable. The D7000 open up much better on the Matrix with a wider and deeper more 3D presentation. I have both amps set up but the 7000 plays on the tube amp but it is not as synergistic as with the SS

I am to receive my new CSP2+ tomorrow. I will burn it in using some 6N1P-EV'S I have and an #80 (5Y3) rectifier using an adapter.

I will be using Sennheisers with the unit so they should be a great match, just like with my former CSP2.

I was curious when I saw that DECWARE is offering a headphone jack on the Mini Torii but it appears that this would be good only for low impedance headphones such as GRADOS.I have a Mini Torii already. It is a shame that I did not wait until this headphone modification came into existence. The good thing about DECWARE is that they are always looking to improve on their products.  

Quote:

Originally Posted by rivieraranch 

I am to receive my new CSP2+ tomorrow. I will burn it in using some 6N1P-EV'S I have and an #80 (5Y3) rectifier using an adapter.

I will be using Sennheisers with the unit so they should be a great match, just like with my former CSP2.

 

I was curious when I saw that DECWARE is offering a headphone jack on the Mini Torii but it appears that this would be good only for low impedance headphones such as GRADOS.I have a Mini Torii already. It is a shame that I did not wait until this headphone modification came into existence. The good thing about DECWARE is that they are always looking to improve on their products.  

Ask Steve if he will mod your mini torri.  I would think they will play low and high as Skylab has one
 

I may attend the DECFEST event this year. If so, I will try it out in person.

i think the headphone mod offer after skylab custom request and have a good result for low impedance headphones.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by rivieraranch 

I am to receive my new CSP2+ tomorrow. I will burn it in using some 6N1P-EV'S I have and an #80 (5Y3) rectifier using an adapter.

I will be using Sennheisers with the unit so they should be a great match, just like with my former CSP2.

 

I was curious when I saw that DECWARE is offering a headphone jack on the Mini Torii but it appears that this would be good only for low impedance headphones such as GRADOS.I have a Mini Torii already. It is a shame that I did not wait until this headphone modification came into existence. The good thing about DECWARE is that they are always looking to improve on their products.  

Congrats!  You are another one that I know own CSP2+.  Hopefully Steve sells a bunch of them.  Anyhow, please keep us updated on your impression.

Skylab had Mini Torii modded for LCD-2's thirst on current.  It could be a nice dual purpose gear.  But I read Steve's note somewhere describing CSP2 to be more transparent. (If my memory serves me right...)
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by rivieraranch 

I am to receive my new CSP2+ tomorrow. I will burn it in using some 6N1P-EV'S I have and an #80 (5Y3) rectifier using an adapter.

I will be using Sennheisers with the unit so they should be a great match, just like with my former CSP2.

 

I was curious when I saw that DECWARE is offering a headphone jack on the Mini Torii but it appears that this would be good only for low impedance headphones such as GRADOS.I have a Mini Torii already. It is a shame that I did not wait until this headphone modification came into existence. The good thing about DECWARE is that they are always looking to improve on their products.  

I spoke to Steve today and he said that the Mini Torii headphone modification is better suited to the electrostatics. They tried some GRADOS with it and it got too loud too fast. Based on that I am not going to go bananas and send mine to DECWARE for this mod unless I was convinced that it would be in my best interest.

I am breaking in my CSP2+ and so far it sounds just as good as the prior model. The differences I think will be more pronounced as I work more with the trim pots and volume control and the tubes and all the guts get burned in.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skylab 

That makes sense.  I also found that for the high-sensitivity JVC DX1000, the mini-torii had just a little too much background noise and hiss.  It's really best as a headphone amp very specifically for low sensitivity, medium-low impedance headphones.

Interesting so I am assuming the Denon D7000 would also not be good on the mini toori. Rob but i works with the LCD2 which is 50 ohms. Do you hear any hiss or noise running the LCD2

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skylab 

No hiss, noise, or hum with the LCD-2 or the HE-5LE, at all.  Also no noise/hum with the Fostex T50RP.  The tiniest bit with the Edition 8, but not nearly enough to be concerned about.  Enough on the D7000, W1000X, and DX1000 to be slightly bothersome.  No noise on the T1, but supposedly there would be a bass roll-off with high impedance headphones.

On the CSP-2 the D7000 plays with no noise or hiss yet it not optimal with the amp. I just switched to the SS with the Denon much better weird that the Planars would play but you having problems with the others but you did buy it for the planars. I guess because planars like power the more the better.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skylab 

Right - it's the fact that they are lower efficiency that makes this amp work well with them - otherwise it's just too much power.

But actually the LCD2 is very efficient at 91DB that would be considered not difficult to drive as you also said they did work on the CSP-2. Actually the D7000 I just switched to tubes the main difference I see is a little less sound stage but it is more transparent. I guess more than one amp is always a good idea.