REVIEW: Decware Select Zen CSP2 Tube Headphone Amp

[rnadell]

   
Generally cap & attenuator upgrades don't scale nearly as high as the rest of the circuit. It will be better, but not proportionally.
 
Personally I wouldn't do it unless you've already rolled some nice toobage. The mesh 5U4G from Emission Labs is awfully nice.

Where did you purchase your Emission Labs 5u4g? Are you still using your concero? I am really liking this combo. Thanks

 

[Nick Dangerous]

Bought the EML "gently used" from a fellow Head-Fi'er. And yes... still happy with my CSP2+ and Concero. Great combo for the HD800 and perhaps the best price-performance rig available for it.

If you can't spring for the EML, the RCA 5Y3GT blackplate is a nice alternative & sounds great with rock music.

 

[snapontom]

My CSP2+ is getting the beeswax cryo treated capacitor upgrade.  

 

[Lord Soth]

My CSP2+ is getting the beeswax cryo treated capacitor upgrade.  

This should be a worthwhile upgrade!

I have the new CSP3 with the beeswax caps and the CSP2+ with normal caps.

The beeswax caps do make a difference.

The CSP3 sounds warmer and more organic.
The music seems to be more emotionally satisfying.

 

[snapontom]

My Decware switch box will output my Sansui tuner and Bifrost DAC to the CSP2+.  My turntable will feed into a Decware phono amp then straight into my CSP2+.  The CSP2+ output will go directly to a Taboo MK II outfitted with Z capacitors.  This set up should be black and magical.  I am waiting the return of my CSP2+ from Decware where it's being outfitted with the new cryogenic treated beeswax capacitors.  I am also waiting for my new Audio Desk ultrasonic vinyl cleaner, it's on its way too!  2014 will be a great year musically for me, and 2013 was fantastic.  
I am going to a choir performance at my daughter's high school tonight.  At the end of the concert the kids come out into the isles and sing a song.  Man, now that sounds fantastic! 
Went to see an orchestra already this year!   Oh man.  Glad I can still hear at my age.

 

[olegausany]

In my rig, I switched between Bugle Boy 6DJ8 or Telefunken 6922 at front, and keep the 6N1P for L&R, this works very well and improved the weakness of 6N1P. The headphones sound perfectly are T1 (Never heard it sounds such good in other amplifiers), HD650 (esp. with Cardas Clear Light cable), DT880.

Right now I have Telfunken E88CC cyro treated next to master volume pot in my CSP3 and a pair of 6N1P in the other 2 sockets with Valve Art 274B and I really like the comvo or I should switch them so that 6N1P is next to the volume pot?

 

[ManAtWork]

Nope, I think. The E88CC improves the clarity and dynamic if using in Input (the single behind the volume pot). 6N1P sounds slightly musical but with less noise, which are selected by Steve Decware. Since its low noise, the 6N1P is recommended to be used in output (L&R) which these positions are quite sensitive with the noise from tubes. Just curious, is there any noise from your E88CC? It is very difficult to find any NOS 6922 tubes without noise, and the cost of experimental is very expensive.

 

[olegausany]

Nope, I think. The E88CC improves the clarity and dynamic if using in Input (the single behind the volume pot). 6N1P sounds slightly musical but with less noise, which are selected by Steve Decware. Since its low noise, the 6N1P is recommended to be used in output (L&R) which these positions are quite sensitive with the noise from tubes. Just curious, is there any noise from your E88CC? It is very difficult to find any NOS 6922 tubes without noise, and the cost of experimental is very expensive.

Yes I do use single. E88CC and. a pair. of 6N1Ps. I got E88CC from Upscale Audio.
Any place you can recommend. to get RCA 5Y3G and Jan Sylvania 5U4G recommended here?

 

[Nick Dangerous]

http://tctubes.com/rca-5y3gt-black-plates.aspx

 

[olegausany]

http://tctubes.com/rca-5y3gt-black-plates.aspx

Thanks. a lot , I know about this place just wasn't sure it's reputable one. What about Jan Sylvania 5U4G?

 

[olegausany]

is this this the right jan sylvania 5U4G http://www.dbtubes.com/tube-detail.php?ID=2229?

 

[longbowbbs]

I had the Bottle shaped version. I have not used that one.

 

[ManAtWork]

This man has a lot of NOS tubes. I bought several Rectifier Tubes from him from '40 Ken-Rad, '50 TungSol and RCA.

.

 

[olegausany]

This man has a lot of NOS tubes. I bought several Rectifier Tubes from him from '40 Ken-Rad, '50 TungSol and RCA.

.

Which one do you mean?

 

[ManAtWork]

Sorry I forgot to share the link
http://www.ebay.com/sch/n7rk/m.html?item=261423699143&pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item3cde1114c7&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562