REVIEW: Decware Select Zen CSP2 Tube Headphone Amp - Page 21

Quote:

Originally Posted by markm1111 

I use my CSP-2+ as a pre amp as well, driving the power amp section of a Burson PI-160 integrated. I really love this versatility as I can get a taste of the tube sopund in both headphones and speakers.

It is also a snap to put in the main system. It took me 2 minutes to do the switch. It really made the Outlaw hum and the Maggies never sounded so good. Weird the power difference the Outlaw had and at very low levels the dynamic were great.

Before I have T1, CSP2+ has shown it potential so well that I feel it almost approach the level of Phoenix and yet with quite different SQ.  (I guess that It is not surprise at all).  However, now with a right source T1 really brings out the bright spot of CSP2+.  The 3D-like soundstage with pin point accuracy easily and clearly reveals the placement of each notes without any ambiguity.  The drum beats are also snappier. I can see that with T1 tube rolling will be much more fun.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dukja 

Before I have T1, CSP2+ has shown it potential so well that I feel it almost approach the level of Phoenix and yet with quite different SQ.  (I guess that It is not surprise at all).  However, now with a right source T1 really brings out the bright spot of CSP2+.  The 3D-like soundstage with pin point accuracy easily and clearly reveals the placement of each notes without any ambiguity.  The drum beats are also snappier. I can see that with T1 tube rolling will be much more fun.

I am using the Sylvania 5U4G and Genalex 6922 and the combo is magic. It not only play like that with the T1 but with the LCD2 as well.It is very detailed and dynamic and a great tube amp. I see no reason to buy anymore amps and feel I will satisfied for a long while. Glad you enjoy yours.
 

for the power + driver x 2, do all three of these need to all be "matched by the tube seller"   Or just the 2 x driver tubes?  

thanks!

FA

Quote:

Originally Posted by francoamerican 

for the power + driver x 2, do all three of these need to all be "matched by the tube seller"   Or just the 2 x driver tubes?  

 

thanks!

 

FA

 

I order all my tubes matched but you do not need matched tubes I just prefer my tubes matched as I do not get tubes from different batches as is NOS 40yr old tubes.

Quite a bit late, but I have to thank you for this great review and nice pictures.

Hello,

I am wondering is the Decware amp a warm sounding amp, or does tubing rolling decide if the sound is warm or not?

tink97

Quote:

Originally Posted by tink97 

Hello,

 

I am wondering is the Decware amp a warm sounding amp, or does tubing rolling decide if the sound is warm or not?

 

tink97

It will change with the sound of the tubes but to me it is typical of good tube sound warmth and detail and transparency.
 

Yes, I totally agree with you guy's comment.  I have very little "culture shock" switch from SS amp to CSP2.  I had experience with low-end tube amp and that put me off for a while.  But one thing I amazed about CSP2 was that it sounds so transparent and clean (and has even more sparkling than Phoenix).  To me it is very SS-like tube amp but with the virtue of a tube amp.

good advice, i am pretty much sold on the new csp2+  but was worrying about that very issue, just when u think u found the perfect amp/preamp, typical

the 2 input and preamp output is my main reason for being interested, i wonder how csp2 compares to thecsp2+

is there any other tube head amp that have preamp capabilities?   and or also have the 2 input?

i didn't know that about the woo, so are all there amps transformer coupled or just that wa6se?

so iem work  with the wa6se? how well is the question and  do there amps have gain settings? is gain setting on an otl impossible?

and do either of those have gain, i have read the csp2 has some extra controls on it,

and yea i hate the f act that the input and input switch is ont he back to.   that is annoying, the head input and switch should be next to volume pot.. the rca can stay on the back where they belong.

great review skylab as usually, sorry i am late to the game,   but wow 2 input and preamp i am in

ive also been considering some other pre amps which do not have head amp capability but hope they have good synergy with matrix or hdp or ehha rev A, but id much rather try the new  liquid gold.

dare i mention lisa mini via csp2+ synergy

some line stages i am seriously considering are the jolida jd 5t or jd 50 a (cant tell which is better)  or aes djh, or carey 308, oh and the LA Audio C22 is also on my mind.

all of these have something in common they are all very small and compact, i do not like  large gear but am open minded what else should be on my radar

basically i plan on having a good ss/ tube line stage for my main rig, and then something like the csp2 for the bed rig. but i bet ill will end up using it more in the main rig

i will be using the edition 8 and lcd2 and d7000 with csp2 and csp2 will act as preamp for yamaha rs 700 to klipsch rb61 II, and  maybe some paradigm titan, but i may just get some other horn style speakers, i am actually taking a much needed iem break but the denon  do worry with csp2

 

hopefully this sparks some head amp/preamp recommendation and or  analysis and discussion  as i sure would appreciate it

 

thanks

 

 

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skylab 

If you are truly wanting to be able to drive very low impedance headphones like the Denons and you want the amp to be at its best with such headphones, then to meet all of your criterea, I'd say your best bet is the transformer-coupled WooAudio 6SE. I have never heard it, but it has a great rep, and to really do justice to very low impedance headphones, a tube amp needs to be transformer-coupled, not OTL like the CSP-2, which is a truly excellent amp from a great manufacturer, but does better with higher impedance cans. It actually drives lower-impedance headphones quite well, but again if that is an important criterea, I'd go for a TC tube amp.

The CSP-2 is a outstanding preamp. I put it in my 2 channel system and had Maggie MMG with the Outlaw sun using the Outlaw as a power amp and it was amazing. The detail and sound coming out was so good and dynamic. It put both the Outlaw and sub on steroids. It really is super to use that way. The new one has some volt adjustments to fine tune your headphones. I love mine and use it daily.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frank I 

The CSP-2 is a outstanding preamp. I put it in my 2 channel system and had Maggie MMG with the Outlaw sun using the Outlaw as a power amp and it was amazing. The detail and sound coming out was so good and dynamic. It put both the Outlaw and sub on steroids. It really is super to use that way. The new one has some volt adjustments to fine tune your headphones. I love mine and use it daily.

nice,  and  i am  glad u mentioned the 2150 with csp2, that is awesome to hear they  have good synergy

i think my csp2 will act as preamp for the new  yamaha rs 700, only if i can ever figure out if you can a/b speakers via remote like on the rx 797, my main reason for consideration,  but that 2150 is best and i am jealous, i tried to get one, and still may end up getting one

thanks for the impression

Well I'm thinking about picking the CSP2+ up shortly! Can I also use the preouts to feed my M-Stage (with k702s)? Will this work? And what sonic signature will I be hearing: the Matrix's, Decware's, or both? Are there any advantages to this? Obviously I will use it's own amplifier primarily, but I'm curious to try all the possibilities!

-Daniel

Quote:

Originally Posted by BournePerfect 

Well I'm thinking about picking the CSP2+ up shortly! Can I also use the preouts to feed my M-Stage (with k702s)? Will this work? And what sonic signature will I be hearing: the Matrix's, Decware's, or both? Are there any advantages to this? Obviously I will use it's own amplifier primarily, but I'm curious to try all the possibilities!

 

-Daniel

The Matrix can only be used as a preamp. It has no iinput fot the preamp and thus needs to be used as a preamp. The Decware stomps the matrix so even if you could it would have no sonic advantage IMO