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"Mystery" Is Over ! Everyone Has Been Losing Their 💩 Over This Tube Amplifier So I Bought It
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 14 ส.ค. 2024
- Why I Bought The Decware ZMA Tube Amplifier For My Sonus Faber Speakers in my Audiophile Home Audio Hifi Set up
Decware ZMA: www.decware.co...
Related Videos:
Sonus Faber Electa Amator III: • Why I Might BUY These ...
Sonus Faber Maxima: • The ALL NEW Sonus Fabe...
My Sob Story: • The SHOW was OVER befo...
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0:00 Decware ZMA Unboxing & Intro
3:06 Why I Bought the Decware ZMA
5:38 What is the Decware ZMA ?
8:25 Build/Parts Quality
11:55 Sound Quality
#hifi #homeaudio #music
Please leave a like on the video if you enjoyed it ! Really helps me. Have a nice day :)
Decware ZMA: www.decware.com/newsite/MYSTERY.html
Related Videos:
Sonus Faber Electa Amator III: th-cam.com/video/yYIAWzSh1pQ/w-d-xo.html
Sonus Faber Maxima: th-cam.com/video/raBihcmADDg/w-d-xo.html
My Sob Story: th-cam.com/video/K5fq15y42Dc/w-d-xo.html
0:00 Decware ZMA Unboxing & Intro
3:06 Why I Bought the Decware ZMA
5:38 What is the Decware ZMA ?
8:25 Build/Parts Quality
11:55 Sound Quality
Would you recommend a pair of speakers suited for this amp?
I dig your stuff. You got me into hifi during the pandemic. Got KLH model 5's, Fluance RT85 turntable, even before I had any vinyl records. Have an Audiolabs 6000A. And a Bluesound streamer. Been loving it. But now I have the suspicion I am about to go down the tube rabbit hole. Don't know whether I should thank you or curse you. I'm going to go with thanks. Have a terrific one my friend. Much appreciative of your informative and fun content. Keep it up. You rock.
Haha. Your wallet will curse me but your ears with thanks me. Don’t worry, mine does the same…
I suspect audiophilia is an addiction. Hmmm...
@@eliorteza535 ..it's an aural disease that won't heal...
My next acquisition will be the klh model 5's.
I have this amp and I pair with DeVore Fidelity O96’s. For me this is a match made in Heaven. When I got my ZMA I loved it straight away. But!…… after I listened for about 50 or more hours I realized that it needed that much time to really come alive and it sure did! I absolutely love it and Decware in general. Your channel is terrific!
I have some 0/93s and was just about to ask that paring. Good to hear it works well. Have also been looking at a Line Magnetic with 845s.
Others have said here as well. KT88 power tubes and at least 200 hours of play time will see this amplifier come in in the bass. Holographic imaging will get even better. I hear and listen to this amplifier at Decware every year and it is always a pleasure. The big Li Audio cabinets with the 10 inch full range driver and this amp messed with our heads in a good way last October. It was astonishing to say the least. 92-98db sensitivity speakers and full sized floor standing designs will reward you more than a low sensitivity stand mount with this amplifier. Tonally rich and warm but not lacking on any of detail in the midrange and treble. And I agree with you Jay it looks badass!!!
This is the fix with a vacuum tube amplifier: roll tubes and you'll find your Nirvana. Even within the same number tube, there's a wide range of voices in the choir.
KT88 and 6550s are the tubes for good bass. I recently tried out some Sylvania 6L6’s in my Wilsenton R8 and although I liked what it did to the midrange, I had to change it back to my SED 6550’s for the bass.
@@jeffmay5024Not only power tubes, but rectifiers. I have a UFO and rolling the rectifier was a revelation.
Or you get used to the system at that point?
Great video Jay. As someone who is new to Tube amps, I have found your videos very helpful. I have decided to order a Decware amp but still undecided on which one. I am not , and will never be , the type of listener you are, but I do appreciate quality sound.
I remember when I picked up my Decware “pelican case” at the FedEx store! I had to sneak a peak in the parking lot before I drove home. Enjoy!
Hi Jay Again you have
Produced a video second to no other reviewer. , superb information, filming, and enthusiasm, love the cheesey smile when pointing out your name on the amp, such a small thing, and yet it would probably touch us all the
Same way.
Best regards from England..
Have a good day my friend....
aric audio makes some great tube amps fully handmade by 1 guy. That will be a great challenger to decware. They deserve recognition.
Love this review Jay. I’ve owned the Doge 10, now have the Decware Zen UFO II and have tried the Decware Torii MK5 in my home for a week against the Zen. Agree with all your key points - the Decware gear is not designed for dynamics like “modern” tube amps - but the mids and highs are smooth and sweet and addictive. In my room with Klipsch Forte III when comparing all three amps I liked the Zen UFO (it’s also the least expensivene ). I was expecting some more dynamics and bass with the Torii - but it sounded almost the same as the Zen but not as sweet. All three are great amps but Zen remains my go to amp.
Zen UFO! 👌
Hi Jay , you have to give the Tubes and Capacitors enough Time to fully Break- In , they will get Better and the Bass will get much Better!!
- I bought the Decware - Super Zen Triode SE84UFO Amplifier - ( only 2.3 watts ) , and I am using it with a pair of JBL 530 Bookshelf speakers that are 87dbw , And it was Good at the beginning , . . . But at 50 + hours there was a big change . . . and now I am at about 85 + hours and the sound is - SO MUCH BETTER now !!!!!!!!! - Now the highs are sweeter , and even the midrange is less congested on more Complex or louder Music - !!!!!!!!!!!! . . .
-- But the BIGGEST Difference is in the BASS - the Amplifier really ROCKS now and the BASS is So MUCH BETTER - !!!!!!!
So PLEASE make sure you have enough playing time on your new Zen Mystery Amplifier , before you make a decision about the Bass on your new Amplifier!!
- I really enjoyed the video - Keep up the work - !!!!!
I guess Jay had it for months now, did you see that sticker with Jay's name on was put on Dec 2021? it has broken in!
I just found your channel. Vintage gear pricing is ridiculous, growing up there was so much gear that I wish I could buy and now at the age of 58 the vintage stuff is untouchable but truth is there is new gear that is better and cheaper such as the amp in this review! I LOVE TUBES!!!
The Decware mini Torii looks absolutely insane. I’m in
I own this amp and really like it. If you pair it with a Decware Zrock you can tweak the bass curve on it to your liking.
I own one of the original first units since modded.. found same bass findings and discussed with Steve. The Zrock came out sometime after. In my opinion the Zrock helped but not as much as I was looking for. As said above definitely added a bit more -just can’t say if it was more bass or more punch.
Agree with Krogg...add a Zrock!
For any amplifier, the sound stage is as much a product of the preamplifier controlling it as it is the architecture of the amp itself. In some cases, a so so amplifier can see quite a noticeable improvement by changing the preamp. My Bob Carver Crimson 275 really came alive when I hooked it up to a Vincent SA-31MK hybrid preamp with a loudness function switch. It gave the bass a boost it needed and sweetened up the mids and highs as well.
Interesting review thanks. The bass issues are almost certainly down to the output running ultra linear and with no global feedback....Damping factor will be around 1. Which means your frequency response will vary depending on the impedance curve of the speaker. So the amp will be very speaker dependent.
Not only, you need also an OT that delivers.
seems one from Hammond, size will be ok for 40W.
@@jean-paulschweitzer6211DECware winds some of their own transformers (eg., the UFO) … not sure about the ZMA, but I doubt that Steve would pick just any old transformer from a 3rd party. He’s very picky.
that looks badazz ! i just got a new badazz to opened yesterday Dual Mono pure analog SS
lets Go Jay !!! Tube Powaaaa/
Jay pops the trunk 😆
thanks for the video
It would be interesting as time goes by to learn what speakers you think do work best with the ZMA.
Jay, I think you might have convinced me on which amps to use for the highend of my soon to be delivered Tekton Ulfberhts. I will use my Mac 501s for the bass.
Thanks 👍
I have the Willsenton R8 paired with Klipsch KG 5.5 now. It is a great match but at first the bass was a little light. My solution was to add a Bellari tone control box and I bumped the bass just a little bit and now it is perfect. Tone controls are contentious I know but to my ears it gives that little bit more to make me not look for anything else. Great review as always Jay.
Another awesome review!! My blind purchase (12:17) of a pair of new Focal Electra 1008 BE’s, the Hegel H90, BlueSound Node 2i, Cardas Parsec speaker cables, custom Sound Anchor stands and assorted hand made power and interconnects, was worth the risk. I knew the Focals would be on the brighter side. After considering Parasound, Cambridge Audio, PS Audio and Norma as the source; after a ton of research, I went with the Hegel because it offered so much- excellent DAC, lots of digital options, minimalist industrial look and the brilliant Sound Engine Technology. The pairing is a match made in heaven. Interestingly, I was very close to going with one of the lower model Decware Tori maybe and a pair of Zu Audio Dirty Weekends.
The Decware stuff is really good, KT 88's would be worth trying to give you more what you are looking for in the bass region. In the end it's not so much the WPC issue but rather the transformer design being so important to tube amplification.
EXACTLY!
Glad you like the tube amp. I started with a tube system in high school. Used system for $50. Smart buying a new Amp. Tube sockets are a big problem with old amps and you having the tubes out for no reason is something that felt unnatural to watch. :) Enjoy the amp!
Lol we're watching Jay gripped in the throws of love, evidently broke whilst purchasing cost-no-object tube amplifiers... 😅🤪😻!
Nice! I put a deposit down on the Zen Triode phono pre, gonna be almost a year before I take delivery 😞
Jay, try the Decware ZRock to see if you get the mid base you need. If not try bi-amping the Sonus Faber Maximas. Use a solid state amp for the base. I love both Decware and Sonus Faber and would love to see you find the right tweaks to get the sound you’re looking for.
Bi-amping/tri-amping is definitely the way to go with many tube amps. Bass response is a common shortcoming.
To say it has a better opt than the marantz 8b is a pretty bold statement.
As for sound quality haven’t heard it so I’ll take your word for it although the m8b is no slouch.
AT 14:42 What are the speaker's in the background? Are they Polk's and if yes what do you think of the sound? Thank you for all your great video's.
Just a quick few note here. Did you break in the amp? How many hours? Tubes require break in time sir. Usually around 20 hours, they start to settle. 50 hours and they start to finalize. 100 hours and your tubes will bloom. 100 hours is when you start your critical listening. Just FYI. I have an "all tube" system. Around 50 hours is when things started to settle and my system started to open up.
I’ve wanted a decware for so long. Now everyone is reviewing them and their prices are going to go up and I will take even longer to get one.
That amp is a golden example for amp builders. Yes, yes yes, however, I think all amps should have cables, and signal cables Directly connected and extending from the amplifier within with strain relief.
Eliminating non soldered connections is gold sound too, and its cheap close to free.
Would also like to see 1/4" inch aluminum plate instead......... and also directly soldered tubes, not sockets, because that can make or break the sound of an amplifier.
As Im working to build my own amplifier, as I have made and improved others I built in the past, best way to do it is high quality, LOW IMPEDANCE parts. Low drift parts too help.
Tubes are the best in my opinion. There are (fortunately) many available and whist you can part with a lot of cash but some lower priced ones are pretty good. Obviously Jay has excellent taste
I was 1137 on the list when I ordered mine almost 2 years ago - I’m still waiting. Only another two or three months to go! 😅
Tell it like it is my man- great stuff, again.
It’s good that Decware no longer put the reviewer on the same waiting list! cause they have a 300B amp coming and waiting two year for the review and then another 2 years for your order would be a very long wait…
Steve Deckert has been raving about Cryotone tubes lately. I bought a set for my SE84UFO25 and they are fantastic, especially the bass. They may provide the bass weight you are presently missing. I suggest you get in touch with him and get his perspective on them. They are that good.
I replaced the tubes in my SE84UFO with two EL84’s , one ECC88 , and a 5U4G from Cryotone. I installed them last week. I loved the smooth sound, but one of the 200 milli amp fuses under the rectifier tube blew after two days. I’m waiting for a replacement now. Also I noticed that the output tubes exhibited a bright flash when I turned the amp on , like a power surge.
@@ronniecramer1252 Just ordered 6p15p and ECC88 from Cryotone today. for my UFO2. Hope I don’t get same problem as you.
It's cool that they use those Polish made Miflex polypropylene capacitors but then they're using the cheapest and worst sounding metal oxide resistors. Interesting contradiction in design choices. I would rip them out and put some vintage carbon film and carbon comp mix and this amp would be magical.
It’s quite pretty. I’m much more excited about better and better class d, but I understand the tubey draw. Enjoy your rig, thanks for the review!
Hello Jay thank you for sharing your experience in the audio world looking forward to seeing your show.
Great review…what would happen if you go up on the tubes? KT88? KT150? I imagine bass would improve at the cost of the midrange,..
Great video. Could you make a review of the more affordable Tori IV Jr ? I bought one using an information guess, but I would be delighted if you make one of your awesome reviews
Excellent video, Jay. Great explanation. I love the passion with which you talk about sound and its nuances.
Purchase the Lyngdorf TDAI-1120. Use it as a preamp-hub. After you run its RoomPerfect software, you can adjust it to provide exactly the bump in the Sonus Faber Speakers you prefer. While retaining the Decware's Midrange, Treble and holographic Soundfield you cherish. The miniDSP Flex is an alternative but it will reduce your file rates to 24/48.
How does this tube amp compare with the Primaluna Evo 400
I’m intrigued by tube amps and may pull the trigger on one in the future, keep the reviews on them coming to help me decide which one. Love your channel Jay!
Biamp! I do tubes for highs solid state for lows and love it
Hi Jay, like you i'm thinking on pairing a new component to a older one with reservation regarding to power: I have a Prima Luna EVO 100 42 W with Triangle Borea br03 speakers Sensivity 92 8ohm and the system rocks. But I'm thinking of upgrading to Elipson Heritage XLS15 Sensivity 92 6ohm with a recommended power rating of 50-150w. Do you think the prima Lina would manage? Would I be losing like you? I know 92 by itself is good, but on a 6ohm tap, even if the Prima Luna has good output transformers, will I be exploring the full potential of the speakers? Thank you
If it didnt match the speakers I was hoping and had an option to return I would do it.It has to be right for that kind of money.
I agree. He talked more about the looks and parts being great, but what matters is performance, which he seemed lukewarm about, overall. I'd rather stick with my Will Vincent Dynaco ST-70 rebuild, at 1/5 the price. Sounds great with KT66's.
Jay, it sounds like you need to hear the Lii Audio crystal 10s. I heard them in Steve's listening room and wow, I ordered the little Zen amp immediately.
Great review. Typically, a vintage inspired tube amps can have an issue with bass on 4 ohm speakers.
Good one Jay.Surprised we didn't here a comparison with how the amp sounded on the CSS DIY speakers.Me I'd love to have you get a Rogue Stereo 100 which at $3500 has (duh) 100 watts pf KT120 power.I like the look of Decware and only hear great things but unless I am running very high efficiency Klipsch etc.I use a 50 watt EL34 Push Pull that's a bit more costly thn the ZMA (so I am not a mid power biggot)as my all arounder but really interested more gas if I need it.Anyway it's a beauty with sumptuous looks and build glad your happy
I do mention this in the CSS audio video. If I went over every speaker with every amp I have in here that I tried, it would be like a 10 hour long video ! haha. Consider what I say overall as a summary of what I experienced with most speakers :) - When it is REALLY good or REALLY bad is when I will bring it up as an example for people to be aware
How does the ZMA compare with the Willsenton R800 ?
Thank you for your review, please don't forget, resisters also play a roll in audio and its interesting to see they have carbon composite in the audio path, film and metal oxide resistors everywhere else. thanks!
Hey Jay! The scene where you pop the ZMA cover open and your face looking like Christmas morning is what I call ‘Audiophile Nirvana’ ….priceless!
Try other tubes like kt88’s or others. You maybe get that bass you are looking for.
Take a look at the Harmon Kardon Citation II amplifier. If you can find one grab it. With new tubes and capacitors it is the finest amplifier I have ever heard.
Jay I recommend you try the Octave V70 Class A & Octave Super Black Box with your Sonus Faber speakers...
I gave up on trying to buy this. I just received my Zen kit and all the parts for it. I'm building it myself
I wonder how a Prima Luna Evo 200 or 300 would sound in your sinus faber’s. There’s several dealers in the GTA. But they may not be the aesthetic style you’re after if you were going for the decware.
I want that amp. It currently own the Se84UFO2 and the ZP3 phono pre. They are awesome
Great review but I'm curious as too how it sounds like when compared with SET like the Line Magnetic 805 or 845 amp. Your thoughts is much appreciated. Thks
I'm currently on the wait list for another amp of Steve's. The wait time is just shy of 14 months. I don't imagine you waited that long for yours ; )
Great video! How would you compare it to Willsenton R800i with upgraded tubes or the Line Magnetic equivalent?
Jay, you probably want to also try Triode Lab/Finale. They are a company in Canada that makes very good tube gear with great components. And their amps are always very quiet without any hiss, and auto biased
How many years you have waited for the Decware? I was told waiting period is approximately 3 years.
TEKTON
Where those perfect set at?
Nice! I love tube sound and analog, ❤️
Cant afford that now cause i made mistakes on getting something i regret but soon i guess. As a guitar amp collector i can see the the art alone of under the hood alone! Thank u brother awsome review! 💯💢🙏
this one reminds me of another maker that builds his own Tube Amps in JAPAN. called: OTOMON Laboratory. very similar to Decware's Design and Philosophy. i don't know if you're familiar with this Brand ?. thanks for the video.
I think what you’re looking for will be found with the Galion TS120?? 😁😁
Ha ! In Thomas’s dream
A tier list of all the tube amplifiers you've listened to would be a pretty cool video
Very honest , refreshing scary though . Is there always something better ? And at what cost ? Maybe it’s better not being wealthy
Great video Jay, I am a little surprised you chose this amp rather than the Decware mono blocks.
He did explain that the ZMA is cheaper and better sounding than the mono's
Very cool! I’d like to try the ARC i50.
Good job with this Jay. We own a Zen UFO and will never part with it! Thinking about cremating it with me when I 'go'.... 🙃 We really do enjoy this little amp a LOT. Take care.🤝
Enjoy your passion in the search for the holy grail, If it's ridiculously heavy, rocks-up and arrives in a bloody Pelican Case and glows in the dark I'm up for it.
If EL34 is your thing, you should hear Mullard EL37s … I love them.
I see a "size" of the output transformers and understand that there is no mystery really =) As far as I remember, you've already tried to say something good for a device with a tiny transformer. Is this your style?
It's great in the high frequency and midrange because of the kt88. They are very bright, not that warm tho. I'm a fan of single end triode 300b with takatsuki. Not as bright and sharp. But good imaging.
I’m always intrigued whenever you talk about tube amplifiers. For myself such a thing would be overkill atm, but I’d love to hear what such an expensive tube amp sounds like.
Though since it’s all about sound, I’m not sure if I should even go with a speaker to amp ratio in terms of price…
Also - If you don’t mind answering, what is the sick chair you have?
Thanks :)
The chairs are a 1:1 Replica of the Eames chair
@@Jayiyagi Nice! Thanks for answering ^^
Hmmm...could you buy a pair of decware speakers and do a review hooked up to decware amp
How long did it take to get it. The rumors of 1000's of people waiting on Decware. Are they true?
i think the Marantz model 9 is a very nice amp
Should have asked Deckart to have option to increase the negative feedback which will give you tighter bass.
It would be an easy mod. Likely just replace 2 resistors.
@@user-od9iz9cv1w and void the lifetime warranty he offers?
I have had a few people tell me to get this. 40w opens up a lot of monitor options.
What you do is appreciated, but aren't you like most of us missing the most important part, your not letting us hear the gear you review, why is that? Hope you will include that asap, I'm sure you understand. Thx
hi.. how would you compare it with willsenton r8 (i know is onother budget but i m wondering if could be a more good match with my tannoy turnberry se) expecially in the bass region?
Do you prefer this or either amps you reviewed from Willsenton? Tempted to also look into a Harman kardon Citation 1 or 2 to compare all of them.
I prefer the ZMA.
Apart from the sympathetic woodworking, they're retailed way too much in terms of production value and costing... Like most "high-end" audio apparel, anyway. I'll wait until they have some volume rolling soundingly so that they can lower their costs, because their amps seem to be well-built and to sound nicely (else I would look somewhere else, like one of those kits - along many YT MOD tutorials to make them sound like super high-end tube amps... and I'm patient).
Could a Rel sub help with the Sonos Fabers? I wonder how this Ultimate Decware
Amp would pair up with the new Buchardt S400s. Excellent review ... Big Thanks
sure it could help to augment the lower bass but I prefer the sonus faber without subs believe it or not.
I prefer all buchardt speakers with mainly solid state amps.
Great review as always Jay! Are you familiar with the Unison Research S6, as a comparison to this one. Also a tube amp and no solid state with tubes, class a and 35W. I have Sonus Faber Cremona Auditor M speakers and considering the S6.
Unison Research makes some nice tube gear. I wouldn't say it is my personal favourite but quite good !
Jay, great review! It is hard to match an amp to Sonus Faber. If you still have some Gershman Acoustic Studio Monitors or can obtain a pair of Devore Fidelity Super Super Nines this amp who probably be nice. Keep giving us these great reviews!
Hi Jay, great reviews! I have to ask where did you get your bookshelf speaker stands? I want to buy a pair.
Thanks in advance
keep up the great work.
Alick
The one in the video? It is the stand that come with the sonus faber
Other ones I use: solid steel and monoprice
@@Jayiyagi The Solidsteel Tripods. do you know if there's somewhere in Toronto so I can pick up a pair?
This was awesome! Thanks…what is the plinth you have the amp on?
it's isoacoustic
@@Jayiyagi thanks jay!
It would be nice to have some demos of the stuff you talk about, cheers.
Hmmmm....is this amp an integrated amp or do you have to buy a preamp for it....
Wait list is over a thousand!
I wrote long note about my stereo history. I’m 71 I finally got in 2019 a replacement 7.1i . I have 252 McIntosh. It’s letting me down long story. I will write to you for big time help. Janice Barrow.
Hey Jay, so did you and up keeping both long term? I think the Decware yes, and maybe you found different speakers? Curious! The ZMA is certainly a gorgeous piece of musical hardware!
So much for the manufacturers recommendation,, no wonder I have trust issues,,😮
Aww, Jay, did you even consider a McIntosh MC275? More than twice the power, killer timeless looks, 3 dimensional imaging, the ability to be easily converted into a 150 watt (into 2 ohm!) monoblock, the best handmade in-house potted transformers in the world (are those Hammond transformers on the Decware??),100% made across the lake from you in Rochester, New York, and most importantly for your Sonus Fabers, the lowest output impedance of any tube amp to bring back the SF Amator bass you were hoping for. Not done. Bulletproof proven reliability. My 1992 pair of MC275’s are still going strong only on their third set of KT88 output tubes and I’m not kind. I have been driving Martin-Logan ReQuests electrostatic hybrid speakers all these years. Oh. Resale. Nothing beats McIntosh in resale value. And nothing in the Mac catalog holds its value like the MC275. Also a new one retails for only $500 more than the Decware you reviewed. SF speakers like some power and a decent damping factor. The MC275 is the only (relatively) affordable tube amp that can do it, and still sound, in the best way, like a tube amp. Cheers and thank you for your always entertaining videos!
MC275 is def a consideration. I have heard the combo before and loved it. Just wanted something a little more holographic with boutique parts BUT I may have to resort to the classic Mcintosh :)
@@Jayiyagi You won’t be sorry. You can always bi-amp 😉