Decware CSP3

[G8torbyte]

Congrats! I think you will find the amp will mellow a bit (in a good way) after about 100 hours and slowly season in for a spell after that. I have had one over six years and it subtly sounds better all the time.

Those output gain controls are for the RCA outputs going to a power amp etc, part of the preamp but not headphone amp aspect of the CSP3. They are connected to the RCA outputs, but not the headphone output.

Thanks Lonson! OK got it, that makes sense. Very nice how Decware designed this amp to be so versatile.

 

[Lonson]

Next time you wish to experiment I recommend the PSVANE 274B-Z TREASURE Collector Edition rectifier. Of the many new production and NOS I've tried this one just contributes to a mellow but detailed sound that is very non-fatiguing.

 

[Rollnrock]

Finally arrived after a two and half year wait from the time of order! Whew, never went this long for an order but to me the quality is worth the wait.



Been operating only a few hours using a Geshelli Labs J2 DAC as a source. I'm getting familiar with it, dialing-in/voicing the sound following the included guide. I did switch out the input tube to a 5670W with an adapter to mellow it out since it seemed kind of forward-focused. I understand there is still some hours needed to settle/burn-in according to the guide. The guide mentioned changing the rectifier also helps with the voicing so I ordered an older (but later than 1940's as recommended) RCA 5Y3GT and a Sylvania 5U4GB to try later.
So far I'm hearing nice results on the 300 Ohm ZMFs: Atrium Open, Verite Closed and Aeolus. My other dynamics like the Sennheiser HD58X and Beyerdynamic DT770 (80 Ohm) also doing well with it. The CSP3 does seem to pair better with the higher impedance ZMF headphones at mid-volume as I have to turn up the main volume on the lower impedance HP's.
Still trying to figure out how the small left/right output level dials work as I'm not hearing any differences in sound or volume as I adjust these. Am I missing something?
The two input level dials are turned up all the way as the guide instructed.

Congratulations on your new toy! Patience always brings good things.

I've been tracking this amp and the Decware ZMF Reference OTL for a while as a complement to my Icon Audio HP8 (which we both own). Now that the ZMF Reference will no longer be sold, the CSP3 has my full attention (honestly, the ZMF Reference was a little out of my budget...). So, very interested in all your impressions on the synergy with your ZMFs and any comparisons with the Icon HP8 that you may share at some point.

BTW, good choice of wood for the volume knob. It's a beautiful amp!

 

[G8torbyte]

Congratulations on your new toy! Patience always brings good things.

I've been tracking this amp and the Decware ZMF Reference OTL for a while as a complement to my Icon Audio HP8 (which we both own). Now that the ZMF Reference will no longer be sold, the CSP3 has my full attention (honestly, the ZMF Reference was a little out of my budget...). So, very interested in all your impressions on the synergy with your ZMFs and any comparisons with the Icon HP8 that you may share at some point.

BTW, good choice of wood for the volume knob. It's a beautiful amp!

Thanks, I'm still in the initial period and the guide recommends "during the 200 hour burn in period the preamp and the tubes will season and you will hear the sound continue to improve. The biggest differences happen in the first 20 hours." Funny, sounds like cooking a fancy entree. I also have a few vintage rectifiers ordered and will try those out too.

When I first acquired the Atrium Open in 2022 I read how much members liked the performance of it on an OTL amp. So when I looked up Decware I decided that would be a good match and ordered the CSP3. A few weeks later Zach announced his collaboration with Decware to make the ZMF Referenece model and I thought, dang-it, I jumped on the CSP3 too soon. I sent a question to Decware about the differences and Steve Deckert replied back stating that essentially the ZMF model is a pimped out CSP3 with the 25th anniversary mods and a few extras. So while it would be nice to have the extra bells and whistles I'm still glad I stuck with the order as the CSP3 is the core of the amp.
I do hear the lovely spaciousness and staging with the ZMF 300 Ohm dynamics. I hooked up my Aeolus, which I have not used much after getting the Atrium, and it sounded wonderful on the CSP3. The CSP3 does seem to prefer dynamics with higher impedance loads because when I connected the Bokeh it required the main volume to be turned up much higher. Also for an experiment, even though planar drivers are typically not recommended on an OTL, I connected the Caldera and noticed the volume had to be turned nearly to maximum to sound good. So yeah, it likes higher impedance dynamics. I love and give credit to the HP8 as a superb compact OTC amp that can drive both dynamics and planars with authority and depth no matter the impedance. Whereas the CSP3 is not as strong/punchy and is more sensitive to impedance loads. Still lots of listening to do and looking forward to how it sounds after "seasoning and voicing." Decware designed this amp very well and they back it up with a lifetime warranty.

 

[G8torbyte]

X-post : Enjoying a revisit to an album I had not played in a long time with the CSP3
Having a good time putting in the "seasoning" hours especially with the ZMF dynamics.

 

[mattiastomas]

Hello all! I managed to snag a used CSP3! Just received it today. Its an older unit (2017) but original owner says he has only about 100 hours on it.

Does anyone have any favourite tube rolls? Mine will come with the stock tubes. Am definitely going to be tube rolling.

I do have a Brimar and RCA 5R4GY rectifier that I use with my Aegis which I know are compatible, so will definitely be rolling those in and see.

Side note, the stock rectifier seems to rock a bit in the socket. Is that normal? Its not the socket, that seems very solid. Swapping in a Brimar rectifier and that does not rock.

 

[Lonson]

I think that is probably just usual for that rectifier that Decware commissions (Linlai made I believe).

My favorite rectifier has become the Psvane Treasure 274B-Z. It has just the right "character" for my systems, and it has been very reliable. For input and driver tubes I have two favorites: Amperex 7308, especially those made in Holland, and Cryoset ECC88. Not inexpensive choices, but my favorites.

 

[mattiastomas]

I think that is probably just usual for that rectifier that Decware commissions (Linlai made I believe).

My favorite rectifier has become the Psvane Treasure 274B-Z. It has just the right "character" for my systems, and it has been very reliable. For input and driver tubes I have two favorites: Amperex 7308, especially those made in Holland, and Cryoset ECC88. Not inexpensive choices, but my favorites.

Thanks!

I'll be keeping an eye out on those. When you say cryoset are you referring to the Wathen cryotone one?

Also are you the Lon from the decware forums?

 

[Lonson]

Yes I'm sorry. . . my age is showing, Cryoset was a company that has been gone for a decade or so. Yes, Cryotone. And yes, I haunt the Decware forums.

 

[mattiastomas]

Yes I'm sorry. . . my age is showing, Cryoset was a company that has been gone for a decade or so. Yes, Cryotone. And yes, I haunt the Decware forums.

thanks for the info. Haha I do see you everywhere on the Decware forums. Might hit you up once in awhile for some input. My plan is to run the CSP3 stock for awhile
and then maybe consider some Anniversary Mods.

 

[Lonson]

That''s a good plan. I have a CSP3 that I ordered with the Anniversary mods. But I had a CSP2+ that I bought when that first came out, and years later sent in for the Anniversary Mods and boy was that a transformation, so I do recommend considering the Mods.

 

[mattiastomas]

Would it be safe to say that all 6922 equivalents can be used in all 3 spots? I'm new to this tube type and I'm seeing 6922, 6DJ8, 7DJ8, 6N1P, 6BQ7A, 7308.

 

[Lonson]

Yes, that is safe to say, they will all work, as well as 6N1P and even 6N5P.

 

[jonathan c]

Would it be safe to say that all 6922 equivalents can be used in all 3 spots? I'm new to this tube type and I'm seeing 6922, 6DJ8, 7DJ8, 6N1P, 6BQ7A, 7308.

The 7DJ8 is a 7-volt tube. The rest are 6-volt tubes. CAUTION with 7DJ8 in CSP3.

The 6N1P has a heater current (draws a current) of 600 mA. The rest draw a current of 300 mA - 335 mA. CAUTION with 6N1P in CSP3.

 

[mattiastomas]

Yes, that is safe to say, they will all work, as well as 6N1P and even 6N5P.

The 7DJ8 is a 7-volt tube. The rest are 6-volt tubes. CAUTION with 7DJ8 in CSP3.

The 6N1P has a heater current (draws a current) of 600 mA. The rest draw a current of 300 mA - 335 mA. CAUTION with 6N1P in CSP3.

Thanks for the info!

I'll stay away from 7DJ8. Curious the CSP3 manual says that 6N1P is an ok substitute for the pair of output tubes. I guess not for the input tube.

Am wondering if I should use the same tubes for all 3 or use a different input tube.