REVIEW: Decware Select Zen CSP2 Tube Headphone Amp - Page 22

Frank:

     Do you think there would be no benefits to keeping the M-Stage once I get the Decware? I plan on only using the k702 and possibly upgrading to the T1 eventually. I'm thinking that will be the case, but I definitely love this Matrix! But for an overall hp amp, and amazing speaker preamp, I'm wondering if I'd be better off selling the Matrix later to help fund this upgrade.

-Daniel

Quote:

Originally Posted by BournePerfect 

Frank:

 

     Do you think there would be no benefits to keeping the M-Stage once I get the Decware? I plan on only using the k702 and possibly upgrading to the T1 eventually. I'm thinking that will be the case, but I definitely love this Matrix! But for an overall hp amp, and amazing speaker preamp, I'm wondering if I'd be better off selling the Matrix later to help fund this upgrade.

 

-Daniel

The Matrix is a great amp for the 702. The Decware can handle it but only you can decide whatsa better but for the T1 the performance with the CSP-2 is stunning. If it were me I would keep the matrix unless you need the money if not always good to have two amps. Decware and Steve deckert is IMO a very special company that produces amazing products for the money and the CSP-2 is an outstanding pre amp as well.

Thanks Frank. I figured as much, and I really don't like the idea of giving up this great amp.I suppose I'll get the Decware and new dac first and see how everything sounds with that final setup! I'm really liking everything I'm reading about Decware as a company, and it's products, and I'd really like to support them in the future if the CSP2+ is all it's cracked up to be. I actually just ordered their silver interconnects and they should be arriving next week. I did think it was kind of weird (lame) that those cables are also built to order, and that it would be a 3 week wait to get them though! Especially since they are only available in 2 lengths, you'd think they'd have a thousand or so ready to go lol.

-Daniel

Nice! I'm incredibly excited to order this amp, and it will be my first venture into tubes. I also like that it will be of great use to my future reference speaker setup (another can of worms) an that adds to it's value a great deal! I'm kinda surprised there isn't more talk of this amp on these boards, seeing how it seems almost perfect to everyone who has used it.

-Daniel

Quote:

Originally Posted by BournePerfect 

Nice! I'm incredibly excited to order this amp, and it will be my first venture into tubes. I also like that it will be of great use to my future reference speaker setup (another can of worms) an that adds to it's value a great deal! I'm kinda surprised there isn't more talk of this amp on these boards, seeing how it seems almost perfect to everyone who has used it.

 

-Daniel

I agree about the talk. Woo makes himself visible Steve deckert always keeps a low profile but I llove the amp and its permanent for me.

I believe that the business model at DECWARE is not to stock inventory but to make things to order. It costs money to maintain inventory and they are trying to offer a product at a reasonable price point. If their gear were marketed elsewhere it would be a lot more expensive on account of advertising, marketing, etc,

There is tremendous value in the DECWARE gear. They are always open to tweaking and making improvements over time.The products they make are because they love audio. They don't sit around and decide what their profit margin needs to be and make black box gear to achieve that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rivieraranch 

I believe that the business model at DECWARE is not to stock inventory but to make things to order. It costs money to maintain inventory and they are trying to offer a product at a reasonable price point. If their gear were marketed elsewhere it would be a lot more expensive on account of advertising, marketing, etc,

 

There is tremendous value in the DECWARE gear. They are always open to tweaking and making improvements over time.The products they make are because they love audio. They don't sit around and decide what their profit margin needs to be and make black box gear to achieve that.

I agree about the Value. Man this CSP-2 is so magical with the T1. It really is a special amp/preamp and it plays so well. Steve does do everything built for the customer and he is willing to do anything you want to have the right amp. Too bad he does not have an amp to power the maggies as I would buy one. I love the sound signature of his amps

Does anyone have any comparisons with this amp with the k702s? Also, what dacs are you guys using with this? Thanks.

-Daniel

In the past, I have owned 2 CSP2 units and now just bought the new CSP2+. The new unit is easier to use on account of the variable input pots. With my former CSP2 units I could not turn the volume up very much. Now with the new CSP2+ unit I can work with the input levels and the volume as well.

My new CSP2+ arrived and there was something wrong with it. I could hear a snowy noise in the background, like the audio of an old analog television station that accompanied "snow" after the station signed off and was not putting out any signal. I sent it back to DECWARE under their lifetime warranty. I was able to speak with Steve Deckert about the situation. The problem had been intermittent, which made it tricky to run down. I could tell that Deckert was very interested in finding out what the trouble was. So he suggested that I send him the tubes I'd been using for him to evaluate the problem. I did that. He said he would keep the amp in the shop and run it to determine what the problem was.

Soon after I sent the tubes Deckert called and said he found a small wire that had inadvertently worked its way out from the resistor under one of the tube sockets. That was fixed and the unit was sent back to me. The important part about their guarantee is that if you have a problem within the 30 days after purchase DECWARE will pay the freight, back and forth. 

So to sum up this experience, I would say it worked out well, despite the  minor inconvenience of having to ship the unit, etc. What is important is that DECWARE cared enough to look at the unit hard enough to find what was ailing it, fix it and return it. you almost get the feeling that their amps are like children that they want to keep track of.    

Quote:

Originally Posted by rivieraranch 

you almost get the feeling that their amps are like children that they want to keep track of.    

Interesting description lol

I am having a problem with some of my collection of 6N1P-EV tubes. the CSP2+ is back home and working fine. I bought 12 of these 6N1P-EV tubes from a Russian seller recently and 7 of these exhibit a loud hum. Five of them are quiet. It is not the amp's fault; there is something wrong with the tubes. Yet there are numerous people who are venturing opinions that the amp is making these tubes hum, not the other way around.  

Quote:

Originally Posted by rivieraranch 

I am having a problem with some of my collection of 6N1P-EV tubes. the CSP2+ is back home and working fine. I bought 12 of these 6N1P-EV tubes from a Russian seller recently and 7 of these exhibit a loud hum. Five of them are quiet. It is not the amp's fault; there is something wrong with the tubes. Yet there are numerous people who are venturing opinions that the amp is making these tubes hum, not the other way around.  

I use 6DJ8, 6922, 7308 tubes in several pieces of equipment.  Mostly my line stage and DAC along with my CSP2.  I use the CSP2 to check the sound signature of driver tubes I use in these other components.  In all cases, the sound signature and quality I hear in the CSP2 is also present in the other equipment.  It is just easier to hear when using the CSP2.  This is with Beyerdynamic DT880/600 HPs.

Best tube I have found is the Mullard CV2493.  Very low noise floor with a signature wide and deep.  There are some other combinations that sound good.  I have had good results with the 6N1P tubes in the two back slots and an Amperex 7308 in the front slot. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skylab 

The CV2493 is indeed terrific. It was what I settled on with the CSP-2 as well, and I now use them in my WA2, where they are also excellent.

Hi skylab, it has been a while since I have posted.  Still can't thank you enough for talking me into the DT880/600 and CSP2 combination!  I see you have moved on to some new choices with some newer products?  As always, this hobby never ends.  I believe you no longer have your CSP2?

If anyone wants to get a new experience with their CSP2, try a couple of 6H23n-EB tubes in the back slots and something a little warmer in the front. This tube has the effect of making the CSP-2 come very close to a SS.  Not that that is a good thing but it just shows how versatile this amp is to tube tuning.