Loaner: Decware Zen Taboo mkIV headphone/speaker amp

Discussion in 'Closed Loaners' started by ChaChaRealSmooth, Jan 21, 2022.

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  1. ChaChaRealSmooth

    ChaChaRealSmooth SBAF's Mr. Bean

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    Loaner: Decware Zen Taboo mkIV headphone/speaker amp

    Loaner courtesy of Decware :bow:

    Product Page


    This is a gorgeous looking, gorgeous sounding amp. Designed for use with orthos but obviously that won't be it's only use.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]


    I'd like to start this with @purr1n if you're up for it

    Standard rules.
    • Open to ALL friends and contributors on case by case basis but do not be shy to ask
    • 5-10 days per person
    • Insure for 1,100$
    • FedEx UPS only
    • Impressions required in review thread
    • Post with your location if interested
    List
    @loadexfa CA
    @purr1n TX?
    @magnium LA, CA
    @Inoculator WA
    @MisterRogers CO
    @dubharmonic IL
    @Pancakes GA
    @Aklegal GA
    @jlucas OH
    @dasman66 PA
    @Cellist88 NJ
    @Souldriver NY
    @Tchoupitoulas NJ
    @atomicbob measurement bunker
    @MellowVelo, IL
     
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    Last edited: Nov 30, 2022
  2. Vtory

    Vtory Audiophile™

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    Glad to see this amp in sbaf. It was my first tube amp years ago. Had really nice memory. Not very SS-sounding amp that sbaf majority favors.. but worth trying out I think. Good luck for the tour!!
     
  3. dematted

    dematted Friend

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    I would like to try this...I feel like it'd be interesting to hear something a bit different from the stuff that SBAF normally covers (EC, DNA, ECP, and lately, some A&S). I'll be comparing it against my Quicksilver, and possibly an Elekit TU-8900, depending on my place in the tour. Does it only have a Balanced output, though? I'm afraid I don't have any balanced cables with me, so if thats the only output, I think I'll unfortanutely have to pass.
     
    Last edited: Jan 21, 2022
  4. Inoculator

    Inoculator Friend

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    So happy to see Decware stuff joining the loaner program, I have always been curious. Now that I have the Klipsch Forte IV, even more interested. I am not really a planar guy so won't be jumping on this particular one, but hope to see more 2 channel decware options in the future. Thanks @rhythmdevils for your amazing work with the loaner program.
     
  5. loadexfa

    loadexfa MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    Yes please!
     
  6. MisterRogers

    MisterRogers Ethernet Nervosa

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    Yes please! I've long wanted to hear this amp.
     
  7. dubharmonic

    dubharmonic Friend

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    Yes please!!!!
     
  8. Tchoupitoulas

    Tchoupitoulas Friend

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    I'd love to hear this, too, please! NJ.

    I'm close to you, @dematted, and would be more than happy to lend you balanced cables terminated for Audeze/ZMF Headphones and for the Senn HD 6X0 series. If you're interested and it's convenient - and if the tour schedule permits - we could meet in the city to hand off the amp and cables to one another?
     
  9. dasman66

    dasman66 Self proclaimed lazy ass - friend

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    I've always wanted to put an ear to decware, would love to get on the list
     
  10. Vtory

    Vtory Audiophile™

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    My 2 cents for the tour participants
    • Like EC or DNA, this amp is also internally SE if I recall correctly. Use TRS female to 4 pin XLR male adapter if your hps are terminated with quarter inch. No need to worry.
    • There are two volume pots for each channel separately. I highly recommend keep both at the maximum then adjust input signal level at prior stages (dac, preamp, etc).
    • The pot seen between the two gauges is the amount of crossfeed. Decware implemented unusual crossfeed that doesn't sound bad at all. When you get the unit, read the manual a few times and identify optimal level of cross feeding. It must be adjustable in a continuous way. Very unique feature only found in Decware amp so don't miss the opportunity.
     
  11. dematted

    dematted Friend

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    Thanks so much for the offer, but I'm thinking I will just nab one of those adapters that @Vtory mentioned, if we can confirm that is okay with @rhythmdevils! Thank you very much for the offer though :).
     
  12. Pancakes

    Pancakes Friend

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    Eeeek! Would love to be in on this. Atl, GA. Would be comparing to BHA-1, SW51, LP using HD600 and Diana V2 with Yggdrasil and Bifrost MB.
     
  13. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    I'll ask Decware if this is ok, but please don't anyone use an SE-XLR adapter until I get word from them that it is ok. This is their amp and I don't want to damage it.

    Definitely stay on the loaner list, there will be plenty of time for them to reply before the amp gets to you. :)
     
  14. magnium

    magnium Facebook Friend

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    I'd like to be added to the list. Located in Los Angeles, CA.
     
  15. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    Can anyone in LA vouch for @magnium ? I don’t think I’ve seen him before.
     
  16. loadexfa

    loadexfa MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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  17. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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  18. Cellist88

    Cellist88 Friend

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    Damn loaners have been on fire. NJ
     
  19. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    skip me - too much on my plate. I'll get this when it comes back around the country.
     
  20. TheloniuSnoop

    TheloniuSnoop Friend

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    I would love to compare this to my Decware clone HP amp. Thanks.
     
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