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Zana Deux or Isabella

post #1 of 30
5/11/09 at 8:36pm
Thread Starter 
Im just curious as to what people would think is better. Would the fully loaded RWA Isabella (dac/headamp) for $6000 or a Eddie Currant Zana Deux for $2250 with a $3500 dac be better. Me personally I havent had a chance to listen to either, but by going on hours of searching these forums, I cant seem to decide which dac amp combo is better. If you have any other sugestions equaling around $6000 go ahead and through those out for debate too.
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post #2 of 30
5/11/09 at 9:20pm
Would have to go for the Zana and outboard DAC. You can get a lot of really fine sources on the used market for < $3,500. It would help to know what you're going to be driving with this rig and what sort of musical presentation you prefer.
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post #3 of 30
5/11/09 at 9:38pm
For $3500 you could even afford the isabellina DAC.
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post #4 of 30
5/11/09 at 10:01pm
Thread Starter 
I thought about the isabellina DAC with the ZD but figured it would have better synergy when it was all combined within the isabella. Even though it probably sound very good with the ZD. Right now I would be running the setup with a ASi fully modded wadia ipod transport. Might get a reference cdp after the amp/dac is completed, but for right now the ipod setup will do since it would take a reference cdp to beat it and I dont have a ton of music on redbook.
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post #5 of 30
5/12/09 at 12:15am
Any chance you could get a cheap flight to Los Angeles for CanJam? I don't know if there will be an Isabella there, but expect a strong showing from the Moth/Eddie Current faithful.

If not, I've seen a few references to a Seattle meet. Before you spend $6k, you really should go to a meet. Even if what you want to buy isn't there, go anyway. You'll get to listen to other high end equipment, talk to people and you might hear the "right" amp for you. That's a big investment and you want to make an informed choice.
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post #6 of 30
5/12/09 at 12:29am
Thread Starter 
I went to the seattle meet a couple of weeks ago and got to hear a darkvoice. I really injoyed the sound of tubes over the ss amps. I also got to hear how the changing of tubes allows for personal custamization of the sound. So that is what put me on the path of tubes. I wish I could go to camjam but my wife would NEVER allow it to go to hear "headphones". I probably spent atleast 100 hrs scouring the web and these and other forums to allow myself the best consensus of info that I could gather.
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post #7 of 30
5/12/09 at 12:38am
Quote:
Originally Posted by KingStyles View Post
I went to the seattle meet a couple of weeks ago and got to hear a darkvoice.
the Zana is way better than any DV I have heard and Craig is by far my favorite amp designer. The Zana or the Balancing Act is a great amp purchase and one that you'll likely never regret. Now I like RWA and Vinnie is one of my favorite people in the industry but I give the nod to Craig as a designer, he's got the chops from a life of building this stuff.

Also it is cheaper to go to CanJam and hear these things in person than it is to buy something on words you read on the web. While I value my opinion why should you? If you buy the RWA piece for $6000 and then decide it is not for you and have to resell it late assuem at least a 20% loss or $1200, same for the Eddie Current stuff. Coming to canjam will cost you a fraction of that price and will allow you to make the right choice for you. Oh and you'll make a few new friends, see Steve Hoffman talk and demo music that will blow your mind...
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post #8 of 30
5/12/09 at 12:44am
Thread Starter 
I also like the ttvj millett 307a not because of it being expensive or percieved best, but because I really like the features. The balanced and unbalanced inputs and outputs and high and low impedence switch for the balanced and unbalanced outputs. Also the seperate output for the k1000. It makes this amp very versitile. I also like the fact that all the money is going toward the headphone section and features and not going toward a preamp or other integrated circuit. It wouldnt be bad if I already had the dac but to than have to get the dac on top of that is something that is slowing that option down.
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post #9 of 30
5/12/09 at 12:48am
Thread Starter 
I would love to come to canjam. Really I would, but at the moment my happy wife is worth more to me than some lost cash.
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post #10 of 30
5/12/09 at 1:18am
There's an easy solution here. Surprise your wife with a trip to Los Angeles. What does she like? Art, restaurants, sightseeing, shopping, museums, whatever she likes is here. She will have a great time while you get to hang out and listen to gear.

Craig is my favorite designer, too. I like to build my own gear, but Moth/Eddie Current is the only company I'll buy from. Craig's designs tend towards the unconventional and unorthodox. However, they're pulled off gracefully and with superb sound quality. Build quality is excellent, too, much like the WW II era communications receivers I enjoy restoring. If you're looking for something unusual, well made and great sounding, the Zana is tough to beat.

I hope you can make it down, though. There should be six or seven different models of Craig's gear on the floor. You're more than welcome to put a few hours on my Zana.
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post #11 of 30
5/12/09 at 1:03pm
You may want to chime in here: DAC/Headphone Amp combo
Where Vinnie have been suggested to make an integrated DAC/Amp using the Isabellina DAC and the headphone amplifier module from the Isabellina. Seems like he is willing to make it happen if there are enough interest.

Apart from that I have heard the Zana Deux, but not the Isabella, so unsure what would give you the most sound quality for the money.
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post #12 of 30
5/12/09 at 10:09pm
Thread Starter 
I already chimed in on his forum on audiocircle.
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post #13 of 30
5/12/09 at 11:26pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by KingStyles View Post
I already chimed in on his forum on audiocircle.
Nevermind his posts, he needs psychiatric help.
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post #14 of 30
5/13/09 at 3:14am
Quote:
Originally Posted by KingStyles View Post
I already chimed in on his forum on audiocircle.
Ok, sorry then!
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post #15 of 30
5/13/09 at 3:24am
Thread Starter 
I didnt feel that his remark was worth the time of day. If he actually listed the reasons for saying what he said than i might of felt the urge to stand up for myself. Otherwise its just a post to help his post ranking for it didnt help this forum or even offer an objective opinion good or bad.
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