!!I 👉MPORTANT👈 !!! 8:20 It’s a 12au7 not a 12ax7. I am biased, this is my kind of sound, this is my kind of tube, this amp was voiced with my kind of speakers... yup. I am biased. I love it. ***NOTE, I said 12ax7 in the video, my bad, it's a 12AU7. FULL SPECS in video description. No affiliation with Decware. I have not been paid for this video. in fact it cost ME money.
Our Decware Zen SE84UFO2.1 arrived a little over a month ago. It is stock and we just cannot get over the sound of this! It is hooked up to an Oppo bdp103 player, Klipsch ChorusII speakers (101 db, 1 watt-1 meter) and an Hsu research sub, original vtf-3 (front firing. pretty old now😉). Would have loved a Sarah too...but 'things' and ~time~. We are so thankful to own a Decware amp! Also a note. I have spoke with staff via the phone at Decware, Steve (owner), Sarah and Veronica. You will not find finer folks anywhere. Quality in all regards. And remember......MADE IN THE USA.👍 Another great review.. good job hificave!
I couldn't agree with you more. After a year and nine months I received my Decware Zen SE84UFO2.1 last summer. LOVE IT! Totally worth it! My amp journey came to an end.
@@noblesavage23Yup...no need for another amp for sure! We have maybe a thousand cd's to still catch up on. Probably more. Purchased cd's since about 1985 or so. When we got our first cd player. I think that was about when cd's became more available for purchase. Our very first cd was Supertramp, Breakfast In America. Also thousands of songs and entire records as flak files on usb hard drives. A lot of hi-res HD music from sacd's, dvd-audio and blu rays too. The differences in details and things we never noticed before within the very well known, most listened to tracks are unreal...and absolutely no problem with sound levels at 2.3 watts. If we want LOUD/CLEAN sounding, no problem at all. Our ChorusII's are very efficient and still sound gorgeous. Even more so with this Zen here now. Bought these speakers in 1998, (96 models) What a match! 👌And ZERO Taylor Swift in this house! 🥱 A lot of Zeppelin, Pink Floyd etc etc though!👂 Take care! 🤝We love this thing!
You're all set for sure! Unfortunately I sold all my CDs, stream and vinyl nowadays. Appears you found the perfect synergy with your gear! Decware amps are made for rolling, which I'm having a blast exploring. I inherited my parents 1957 RCA orthophonoc stereo console, which was rarely played and stills appears to be new. I pulled the 5Y3GT from it and replaced the Rectifier that came with the amp. Wow, made the amp sound more warmer and holographic. I also have an RCA NOS 5U4 for an extra boost if I need it. But I fell in love with the 5Y3GT and rarely use the 5U4. I replaced the input tube with a Wathen Cryo 5670 and a 6922 adapter, which Steve recommended on a forum post... another improvement in my system. Lastly all my sources (turntable and streamer) go through a FOZ SSX Stage Expander thats connected to the amp that has a Wathen Cryo 12AU7. I couldn't recommend that little box more. Happy Listening!! @@mikeinmontana8875
@@noblesavage23Right on! I guess we're pretty old fashioned as we don't stream anything at all around here.🙃Unless YT on the pc is considered that too? Internet in the sticks is either way overpriced and poor or intermittent in certain areas.. and still expensive😄. (sat) Ours is very slow, but at least it's pretty reliable for simple stuff, that is until a heavy storm shows up. We've been collecting physical media for so many years and are so used to rifling through it. Actually, we really do enjoy it. The box sets are even more of a problem with storing though. I have always wanted to try a tube amp, and waited until 61 years old to try one. Well, I screwed up....should have picked one of this outfits amps up years ago. My way better half told me if I didn't order..she was going to order for me ❤ At least we now have what is among the best. As far as tube rolling, the only thing we've changed is the rectifier. Checking out a nos RCA, 5u4G (1953) as a back-up. Works like a champ too. I do have all of the tube back ups in case. Another nos 5u4g rectifier- Svetlana (1959, black plate) and the three original ones too. All work fine. Original 3 back in now. We love the sound as it is, so we're in business! We're keeping the wolves and coyotes pissed at night. 'Lil' bastards keep us awake sometimes too anyway..payback😅 All the best to you and yours Robert ~Mike
I'll be 62 in June, I get it. We live in the Hollywood Hills and we have our share of coyotes as well. lol Best to you too - Robert @@mikeinmontana8875
Happy to say that my Decware order placed back in February of 2022 is now on the first page on the order list! Just a few months to go for my Zen Triode 314.5 “Rachael” amp. Long wait, but there is enough audio gear here to make the wait less painful.
Steve at Decware is a legend. Early in my DIY ventures I discovered his story. He influenced me to want point to point simple tube amps and solid wood open baffle speakers. Then Lukas aka Lampizator solidified my direction. Would love to go to one of his annual events and hear his creations.
I hope you make it to Decfest soon! It's typically the first full weekend in October. Absolutely worth the trip, not just to listen, but for food and friends!
I was looking for discussions about the Decware Sarah and ran into this channel. I find these two videos (and all the videos on the channel) both informative and entertaining. I’m backtracking and watching the previous many videos. My 2 cents: I’ve had my Decware Sarah since last November. I started out ordering a Torii Mk5, but switched to a Sarah as soon as it was announced as a new product. It’s a fabulous amp and will be my end-game low power amp-especially since it has a lifetime warranty. I started out with the “stock” inexpensive Chinese 300Bs, and loved the amp. But soon after ordered the Western Electric 300Bs since Steve said the amp was voiced with this tube. Switching to the WE tubes was like opening a curtain and light flooding in. The sound became bigger, bolder. More bass, cleaner highs and an intense meaty midrange. And a quieter background. For me, this was all for the better. Others may differ. I’m assuming this is the way Steve wanted his amp to sound. Given the cost of 300Bs, I’m not planning on trying others. I’m sure other 300Bs sound different and may be a better match with other amps or other listeners. Steve Deckert is a fan of Cryotone tubes and recommends them. Cryotone sells all tubes used in Decware amps and also sells sets of tubes for each Decware amp made. The WE 300Bs are kinda expensive, but are made in the USA, come with a 5 year warranty, and are reputedly very reliable. So, perhaps a reasonable long term investment. Does anyone know from where Cryotone sources their tubes? Thanks for the input on Cryotone tubes. I’ll have to try some of them-maybe starting with the 12AU7. No more 300Bs for now. And thanks for your unique voice in our audiophile community. I’ll enjoy following your journey.
Haha love the video. I’ve been waiting patiently for about a year and I’ll have my Sarah (and a preamp) in 1.5-2 years. Probably when I least expect it!
Loic, great vid as usual even with the mic distorting (think of it as a nice distortion like your TJ 300B Mesh!). One thing though, I don’t think it takes 30 days to build one, once your turn is up. I was closely following production last year in anticipation my own amp and it was more like 10 biz days.
Agreed. Perhaps they do several moving all of them forward over 30 days. Once the design is done there is just not much to assembling a point to point amp. It takes a slow methodical attention to detail, but there just is not a lot in there.
There are 2,430 names on the wait list today (3/07/24). Decware has averaged just under 10 amps per week over the last two years. That’s 4.67 years if you are at the bottom of the list today.
Thanks very much for your valuable info. I'm on the long waiting list for the Sarah. After watched your video, I looked at CryoTones web site and their 300B is listed at $589 each. The Western Electric 300B is $1499 per pair. The difference is 24% so it's not that much to me. I placed order my Western Electric 300B before I watched your video so I could have much bias. If I didn't place that order, may be I go for the CryoTones but I can't afford both.
I never owned a tube amp until I ordered my SE84UFO in July 2020. It only took 6 months from order to shipping. I've had plenty of fun with it and will never sell it. I would order a Zen Sarah but 3 years is too long. Time vs Money, money loses !
Great review, thanks! Already mentioned I'm glad you're back! First of all, I believe the input/preamp tube is a 12AU7 for this model? For rectifiers, I recommend GZ34 Metal Base (1951-1957, Philips made, come with all kinds of relabelling). Secondly, I own a Decware amplifier, an SE84UFO25, so-called 25th Anniversary Zen Triode, and absolutely love it, but will say it won't drive every speaker out there. Having said that, what's kept me from buying the Zen Sarah 300B is that it's not as dead quiet as mine. You're using high-sensitivity speaker: no hum on your review unit?
it is a 12au7 (I pinned my comment labeled as IMPORTANT) to say I mistakenly said 12ax7 but its a 12au7. and to your point about driving speakers, yep. its a NICHE. not for everyone.
Nice review. Are you interested in solid state anymore on just tubes? I’m personally interested in in Albert Gilbert Yeung stuff but haven’t seen any YT reviews. I just ordered a Funky amp. Should have it next week 😮
The actuarial tables tell me I have three years left-not very long and certainly not long enough to wait for Decware to produce a 300b for me. I like my EL 34 Rachel.
I couldn't wait so I pulled the trigger on a Yamamoto which in some ways are even better and in some ways just different to Decware but equally niche and equally amazing 😊 Like Decware you can expect a waiting list but it's several months and not years.
I've had western electrics they work best in a loose sounding amp 300b std meishu ,sophia electrics are special again for a loose sounding amp, however if your amp sounds tight stick to shuguang carbons 300b or the treasures ❤
If I listen to my 300B amp 2 or 3 times a day for 45 minutes each time, do you suggest that I leave the amp on during the day or turn it on and off as needed?
All I wanna know about is EXPENSIVE THINGS! 😂 Damn, this looks like a beautifully designed and built tube line stage. Bro….whats the preamp? Either I missed it or I can’t find your thoughts on whatever it is (it may just also be me) Thanks for the great advice and thoughts on this pre.
if you really want to hear this amp then purchase a Hifiman HE-Adapter for use with a headphone.... get a nice set of headphones... Like the Hifiman HE1000se and you will be amazed how it sounds...
5U4G US made nos .( RCA etc )...........and Sylvania Gold Brand 5931 ( ruggudized version ) And .....If lucky you can maybe find a genuine WE 274 ( nos )
@@hificave dyi? Curious of the model. Been looking at open baffles but most don’t appear to be efficient enough for low powered. Even the MACO you reviewed don’t really recommend below 50w as the specifically state on their website using caution with a 300b. Any info is appreciated
You should test: Elrog 300b, EAT 300b, Linlai Elite 300 and alltime favorite: Takatsuki 😊 .... no Decaware here in Europe/Germany ... I also own WE300b the newer Version, NOOP, others are better 😅
No, but I have built amps. If people think that is a realistic Labour number then fine,I am not attacking you or the company just asking a question. Mtl, Qc keeping it friendly.🙂
I believe the whole process from pulling parts to shipping takes several weeks. Obviously, they’re not working on the amp 8 hrs a day, every day of these several weeks. The actual construction time is probably only a day or two-there are very few parts in any SET amp (probably why they sound good and are popular with DIY’ers-don’t see anyone building a Soulution amp at home). Decware amps aren’t built on an assembly line. So the whole process has some dead times-between each step of the process. And the whole testing/QC process takes longer. Someone actually listens to the finished product. I would hazard to guess that Steve Deckert listens to the finished Sarah amps since they’re named after his daughter.
