REVIEW: The Decware 25th Anniversary amplifier, made in the US, lifetime warranty!

[@TEH725]

This is a great amp. I was fortunate enough to hear it at Decfest two years ago. I came home and immediately put in an order. I listen to it daily. Continually impressed to this day.

[@TorToroPorco]

Latin Jazz groove played by old timers in a small bar filled with Cuban cigar smoke while sipping mojitos.

[@redstarwraith]

@TEH725 when you were at Decfest, which speakers that Steve D. paired this amp up to impressed you the most (and why)? Decware makes quite a number of speakers and advocates for a couple brands of speakers (Caintuck, Omega, etc.). Also, what speakers are YOU using with your Decware 25th?

[@TEH725]

redstarwraith that year it was the DNA2 speakers mostly. I’ve heard it with most of Steve’s speakers and all sounded good. Last year I heard them with the Big Betsys and I also have a pair of Big Betsys that I built. Sounds wonderful. Right now I am listening to them with some other DIY speakers I built with Lii Audio Crystal 10s and Acoustic Elegance LO15s in an open baffle. Sounds very good too.

[@redstarwraith]

@@TEH725 Steve Deckert said the DNA2s were a great match with the 25th Anniversary Amp. And then he delved into those Big Betsy speakers - sort of extra large sized Caintuck speakers essentially, right? How do you find the bass in your Big Betsy's? I was imagining that for things like...i dunno, small jazz ensembles, acoustic music, really anything not too elaborate they would sound good? I've been agonizing over which speaker pairing with which Decware amp to pull the trigger on for some time now... I went over to Omega Speaker Systems and some of Louis's designs seem really interesting too!

[@tomhoscheidt5056]

@@redstarwraith Yes, its a scaled up Caintuck audio baffle. I have heard Omega speakers as well and like them, but not with the 25th amp. Bass on the Betsy's is very musical and has punch, but does not go low. I also have 15" subwoofers but rarely use them. I find them only necessary for some electronic music I listen to from time to time.

[@andrewbutton5580]

Steve Deckert is a genius and hearing these amps makes that pretty darn obvious. Decware sounds better than stuff 10 or 20 times the price.

[@Music2Die4]

My friend has the monoblock variant of this amplifier, upgraded with Jupiter Copper Foil caps, driving 100 dB efficient Eminence coaxial speakers....... Some of the best sounds I've ever heard from any audio system.

[@geol7408]

It's total bullshit that KZbin is a free service. This video for instance is costing me $995.00 plus shipping. Thanks Steve's. Order to follow.

[@rogerholland6980]

I’m guessing that everything Steve does has a standard of pure awesomeness. I have one of his SE34I.5 hooked to a pair of 16 ohm Altec Lansing A7-500’s. The musicality that is added to each note in the music is unbelievable. Good news, bad news. You will find yourself going through your entire music collection and listening to everything again. In most cases you will feel like you’re hearing something special again for the first time or some special live performance just for you. Tube rolling is fun but I have always had a love for the EL-34 since I got my Dynaco ST-70. What Decware does with that sound is purely glorious. These are truly good from the first watt.

[@DuanePortal]

Thank you for this commentary, I think I’m going to give these a try also, maybe even the Klipsch Cornwall fours...

[@user-od9iz9cv1w]

I would love to attend a Decfest sometime. I really resonate with how Steve approaches his craft. I expect I would love all his products and appreciate the crowd that appreciates Decware. It was reading his material about designing speakers and amps that influenced me to want tube amps. Ultimately I built all my own stuff and love every minute of it. Thanks for bringing it to life in this review. Beautiful looking amp BTW.

[@LonelyRavenProductio]

Decfest is the first full weekend in October....this year being an exception unfortunately. Hope to see you there sometime....even though I live in Colorado now, I'm going to try and continue to make Decfest each year. So sayeth The Lonely Raven. ;)

[@dalefriesen7812]

I love the appearance. The retro look is a feast for my eyes. I wonder how it would pair with those Voxativ wood cone drivers.

[@herwiggielen9838]

What a beautiful and obviously very honest review. It was a pleasure watching this. Thanks Steve. Love your channel. Keep doing what you're doing.

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

Thanks!

[@badbruise]

Every time you talk tube amps, I think Issac Hayes hot buttered soul!

[@nathanbell6962]

That is a very attractive amplifier!

[@reaality3860]

Many think Steve is all about HiFi equipment. But actually, I depend on Steve Guttenberg for reports on his experience in sound reproduction.

[@Trom5464]

Steve Deckard is also incredibly personable. His focus isn't all about making a buck, he's a genuine audiophile.

[@Stefan-rd7pz]

I'm blessed to own one of these, really love it and how it sounds. The build quality is amazing and Steve provides great support!

[@ericnigg]

I’m on the waitlist! Can you share more thoughts on the 25th amp? Anything you don’t like about it? Thanks.

[@epi2045]

I’ve been looking forward to this review for a long time!!!

[@NickP333]

Looks like a great and also a beautiful amp with plenty of options and features, especially with those extra tubes that come in that nice case. The comparisons are much appreciated too. Thanks, Steve!

[@joedomingos8486]

I have a 15 yr Dec Zen hooked up to late 70's Klipsch Heresy's I have a few other higher power rigs but the Dec/Klipsch is my favorite. Breathtaking Dynamics.

[@rd264]

squeezing any bass out of that Zen?

[@obscurazone]

Dammit. I've spent the last few days settling my heart on the standard first edition, and then stumbled onto this knowing full well I should have immediately clicked off. Sure enough I got suckered in and now I'm thinking the 25th anniversary will suit me more. I've never owned a tube amp as I've always worried they won't be detailed/transparent enough compared to solid state, but as a (mainly) jazz listener, I'm caught between desiring clear separation/definition of instruments etc, and also really wanting to hear the classic records as they would have sounded back in their day through tubes. I still get separation anxiety having let go of my turntable and vinyl around 20 years ago, fully embracing the digital revolution....and I Love the clarity I now hear in digital presentations, but also find the sound sometimes lacking in soul... I'm hoping a decent modern Tube amp with 25 years worth of tweaking behind it will get me to where I want to be. I just need to join the two year queue. *sigh

[@robdent6787]

Thanks to you Steve. I have got into valve amps and I love them, have an EL34 amplifier and a valve phono stage which I upgraded the valves in. Have my eye on a 300b amp. Am saving for.

[@2ChukBuk]

Love both of these products based on your assesssment. I think I'll opt fot the $995 model to drive my Heresys when I get a little extra coin but the Anniversary model sure is tempting. I don't think regret would factor in with a purchase of either model. Thanks Steve.

[@jasonsmith2032]

That should be a great combo!

[@mrfrosty3]

It is such a beautiful object. I'm sure I saw devices that looked like that at Bletchley park in GB.

[@donvito8652]

My Decware SE84UFO with a Majestic Globe 80 rectifier tube with my CJ PV5 and Zu Omens give me a you are there sense that I have not found in anything else I've owned in 60 years. The Globe 80 is at about 90 years old and delivers a level of micro detail that many Solid State fans might be envious of. I spoke with Steve Deckert a few months ago and he is very proud of his 25th Anniversary unit because he knows it's the best tube amp you can buy at any price. When I have the cash, it will have to be my next audio purchase but in the meantime you can't go wrong with his SE84UFO unit and doing some tube swapping either The added pluses: Steve and his crew are great to do business with and ... you're buying American. ... I'm a huge Decware Fan Boy!

[@JohnDoe-np3zk]

Hi I've got a PV6 that needs some fixing and also a PV10B that still works well. Question, why does the 12AT7 aka Mullard CV4024 look like a comet when it turns on like a bright flash and then it glows all the time. I replaced one with another and it still does the same thing. If you know.

[@HareDeLune]

Good morning, Steve! Thanks very much for the review. I want to hear that amp!

[@stimpy1226]

Getting too old for tube rolling. When the time comes to change the tubes in my power amp I buy different brands of the same tubes after reading reviews about the audible characteristics of the different brands. The next re-tubing will be with Telefunken black gold input and power stages. Already purchased and in my closet waiting with bated breath to be inserted into my amp.

[@garydurler5603]

Hi, I'm from Australia. I have the 60w Class A mono amps driving Wilson Audio Sophia series 2. I've had them for 7+ years, no problems at 100db. Great Product

[@jamesrobinson9176]

Steve, what do you know about Don Sachs audio? He's another small manufacturer that specializes in the sp-14. I'd love to see you review his gear

[@ivaltierrez]

I own a pair of Legacy Tannoy Cheviot speakers. They are rated 91db. I've been considering decware amps. However, not sure if I'll be satisfied with only 2 watts. But then again, I rarely listen to music that goes beyond 90db. Has anyone ever used this combo before? I'd appreciate any comments. Great review Steve as always!!!

[@richardhesla5353]

Steve, I am on the waitlist for a Decware amplifier. Can you compare this amplifier to the Decware SEWE300B amp?

[@gregorypatton360]

I love my zen triode paired with a decware zen otl pre and my heresy 1s. In terms of a soundstage it is hard to beat. By adding a radiotron globe 80 rectifier on an adapter my amp is on another level.

[@ashleywatson5101]

Have heard of using the type 80 rectifier - do you have a link to the adapter, please?

[@gregorypatton360]

@@ashleywatson5101 this is the item number on ebay. . 191585535911 this is the one i bought

[@tgpark1274]

25years it's just awesome

[@Leicaphile27]

Beauty and Truth...Awesome review Steve. Knocked it out of the park!

[@hugobloemers4425]

Great review, I really liked this one because it is not just a black box and how does it sound but it compares two versions of the same amp of which one has an upgraded power supply. So now we can match an open loop tube power supply with a tube regulated power supply and extrapolate what it does. That is very interesting.

[@stimpy1226]

I constructed the amp camp amp and I agree with you completely Steve. Sounded really nice with a pair of Klipsch towers but could not compare with my audio research amp feeding my Maggies.

[@donvito8652]

Maggie's image beautifully but not dynamic like live music. Get some Zu speakers and have it all!

[@stimpy1226]

Don Vito respectfully disagree with you Don Vito. With PASS electronics in the front end the dynamics are stupendous through the Maggies.

[@FOH3663]

"I love my job" 👍

[@josexavierjr.5633]

Good review Steve! Thanks for sharing that gorgeous piece.

[@BicycleJoeTomasello]

"There is more there there" - Steve Guttenberg

[@handjarrukmana5386]

Dear Steve...I retired from being audiophile more than 10 years and my last amp was McIntosh MC 2000 pairing Sonus Faber speakers. But since I saw your audition of Decware amp..I beginning to wonder if I should start with my passion all over again. This time Decware amp and Voxative AC-X field coil driver in open baffled configuration starting January next year.. I do really enjoy your reviews of audio stuff..and I think you are a honest person...so stay healthy and don't forget to review open baffle speaker using field coil driver please. Thanks alot Steve

[@stephenbrockway5899]

Good luck with your project. Please share your experience over on the Decware forums. I will keep my eyes peeled. Voxactiv drivers are on my bucket list for open baffles. Check out Steve's big Betsy thread. He gives out the dimensions of the baffles he built.

[@billywindsock9597]

It looks fabulous, always good to see choices in the market.

[@JoJo-mz5bc]

Looks like a JBL-HDI 1600 in the background. Looking forward to that review. Would love to also see JBL-HDI 3800 floorstanders to see how they compare with Klipsches, Elacs, etc.

[@mattmachuta6142]

Hi Steve, Just picked up a pair of Volti Audio Luceras per your recommendation. I’m on the Decware list as well per your recommendation. I was going to get the Rachael with preamp, but now I’m thinking the Sarah or the 25th zen. I listen to classic rock at moderate to low volume. What would you suggest?

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

I didn't review the Laceras, I did the Razz. I can't comment on those amplifiers compatibility with your speakers.

[@xjmzrq]

@audiopheliac for those of us who stream music, Steve Deckert strongly recommends pairing his lineup with the Cambridge CXN V2. Please review!! This is a very intriguing combo.

[@mkshffr4936]

I think it is interesting when folks say XYZ amp is more accurate but amp ABC is more musical. Since we are using the amps to reproduce music and not distortion of frequency response charts I would say the amp that sounds more like the music is the more accurate one regardless of numbers. In the end music and hearing are far too complex to quantify with any of our existing metrics. If one needs more slam than their speaker amp combination can supply one can always add a subwoofer. The magic of tubes is most evident in the mid and high ranges where power requirements are modest with decently efficient speakers.

[@randyhelou7103]

How many watts do u need? You’ve answered that question beautifully. Going to explore Rickie Lee Jones’ album now. Thanks Steve!

[@audiotalk6155]

As always Steve, great review. Love your channel. How does the decware amp sound against any of the F7, SIT 3, or even the F8 I believe you have? The price is a bit more on par... Appreciate your feedback. Cheers!

[@snuffpappy]

Steve; have you or will you review any of the inexpensive tube pre amps on the market? I got one of the $50 SUCA units and have been blown away by what it adds in timbre, sound stage and apparent expansion of the frequency range. From either CDs or Spotify I have been hearing much more "soul" and detail from everything I've put thru it. The best sound improvement device I've purchased in 40 years. (paired with NAD integrated amp / Paradigm speakers.)

[@lukerabin5079]

I love the ‘Bakelite’ knobs…old school tech at its sexiest!

[@richardlynch5632]

While growing up, my parental units seemed to b stuck on manufacturers of stereo equipment starting with the letter "M". McIntosh and Magnavox. Are McIntosh getting any love anymore? 👍😎❤🖖 Love brother

[@charlesgrubbs2101]

Definitely if it is tubed. Used Mac tube amps seem to fetch $4000 to 5000 on the used market. I love my MC-225 amp.

[@richardlynch5632]

@@charlesgrubbs2101 Yes...Magnavox and McIntosh were both tube fed. Always sounded great and many hours of my youth was spent lying on the floor between those many speakers👍😎 Thanks for the $ update. Wish the whereabouts of those units were known🤣 👍😎❤🖖 Love brother

[@eliascabrera7139]

Cool parents

[@richardlynch5632]

@@eliascabrera7139 Father=Country music Mother =Sinatra, Dino Me=King Crimson, CSN& sometimes Y, Jefferson Airplane etc...👍😎❤🖖 Love brother

[@chadbarker4023]

I changed my light bulb today and shiver me timbers, I swear the light was different! Hahahaha

[@dougg1075]

That is audio art right there.

[@shkermanshahi]

Thanks steve, as always. Any remote when budget was not an issue😀

[@deanusahardtail]

Great review of an American made amplifier. Have you given any thought of a review of the Decware's other offerings the Zen TorII Junior, 20 watts or the Zen TorII 25watt dual mono? A comparison of those Decware amps to Raven Audio Nighthawk or Blackhawk 20 watt amps would be interesting. Raven Audio, another American Company with great service, a human touch and wonderful sound!

[@thomasestrada5215]

Hi Steve,just started watching your channel,really love it,would this or the standard Zen work with the magnapan speakers?

[@ColocasiaCorm]

lol

[@Buddhanature322]

Hi Steve, I’ve got my anniversary amp on order and will also be purchasing the anniversary pre amp as recommended by Steve but I’m still searching for speakers. Would you have any recommendations other than the speakers mentioned in the video? Steve recommended the open baffle from Caintuck. Thanks!

[@alexiheaka6128]

If you can, build your own Open Baffle with Lii Audio drivers. I think these drivers are the best paired with the 25th Anniversary... at least that's what I am running.

[@Buddhanature322]

@@alexiheaka6128 Thanks Alex, I’ve definitely been thinking about that.

[@alexiheaka6128]

@@Buddhanature322 yeah, they a very good drivers. Lii has a new driver coming out...S-10. I will be purchasing a pair once they are available. Ive owned Lii's Fast 10 brown, Lii's Fast 10 black, Lii's Crystal 10... this is a song killer. It's like being at a concert in person. I've only played the Crystals for about 2 hours and havent even broken them in. That's because I've been swamped with work and other projects.

[@Buddhanature322]

@@alexiheaka6128 Thanks Alex, just ordered the Decware Anniversary Pre Amp. Looking closer at Lii’s products. I’m liking the cabinets Lii makes as well and is listed on the Decware site as another option.

[@alexiheaka6128]

@@Buddhanature322 sweet. If you are interested in the Crystal 10 let me know. I may be selling mine. I have about 32 minutes of play time on the drivers so they aren’t broken in. The reason why I haven’t broken them in is because the woodwork place I was using shut down because of the virus and I haven’t found another wood place. Once this virus thing slows down Ill be looking again. Not 100% sure if ill sell; Its just a thought.

[@mannytheseacow7381]

Decware promotes the Caintuck Betsy speakers, Steve do you have experience with these speakers?

[@TorToroPorco]

I’m tempted to buy it as much for a conversation piece as for its sound. Most people would think it was a vintage vacuum tube radio. Steam gauges, pointy rotary dials, wood base, wow! A radio set pulled straight out of a WW2 bomber. I wonder if it can provide enough current to drive the new LS50 Meta to reasonable volume levels.

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

I’m not sure what you mean by reasonable but for medium background level, sure!

[@TorToroPorco]

@Steve Guttenberg Audiophiliac / I have a small listening space, 70-80 dB would be plenty.

[@NoEgg4u]

@2:54 "...you're hearing back through time to the original recording session, if... if that's actually in the recording, 'cause a lot of recordings are so screwed with, there is nothing in the original session" And this is a big deal! When you save your paychecks, and you finally buy that upgraded stereo, and you expect it to sound so much better... ...what you end up with is a stereo that reveals how "screwed with" the recordings are. Yes, for recordings that were done right, your upgraded stereo will sound amazing. But such recordings are few and far between, and the likelihood that your favorite songs were recorded correctly is near zero (well, they were recorded correctly, and then mixing engineers and mastering engineers ruin them, before they go on sale to the public). It is a shame that the studios get away with this. It is a shame that the better our stereos become, the worse more recordings sound. Well, technically the recordings sound better -- as in, you can hear all of the compression, all of the equalization, all of the reverb, all of the edits, etc. But hearing all of that turns your listening session into listening to the technicians, and not listening to the artists. A better stereo allows you to hear huge differences between hard-to-find amazing sounding recordings, and typical recordings. It is like having a meal prepared by a top chef, and later having only frozen microwaved dinners. This is why, when you attend high-fi shows, they play boring "what-the-heck-is-this" music. They play that, because it is recorded correctly. If they could play hit songs that sounded that good, they would -- but they can't, because your favorite songs almost always have sub par sound quality. If you think that your favorite songs sound fantastic, then you have not heard a professionally set-up high-end stereo (or even a professionally set-up mid-fidelity stereo). We are all at the mercy of a handful of children at the music studios. Cheers!

[@thisisnev]

The arrogance of some audiophiles never ceases to amaze me.

[@NoEgg4u]

@@thisisnev Please point out what is arrogant. Please point out what is incorrect. Rather than throwing around generalizations... Rather than throwing around insults... Rather than throwing around labels... ...speak to the facts. You are easily amazed, and you admit to it never ceasing. You set the bar low.

[@NoEgg4u]

@Luis Abreu I get a bit of satisfaction at putting a spotlight on trolls. I am counting on "thisisnev" to reply. But I doubt that she will reply, because she knows that she will be shamed with facts.

[@bonzo4423]

Couldn’t have said this better. Unfortunately though I still spend decent money in search of audio nirvana. Much of what I like is really terribly recorded and it does piss me off

[@jamesstruble1]

Thanks for the review, fantastic as always. Could this drive the tweeter on a Magnepan?

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

Maybe

[@joshuaschneck]

Hi Steve. How am does this amp compare with the Boyuurange A50 300b amp that you reviewed a bit back? It’s rated at 7.6 amps per channel.

[@fishingbear69]

That's one very good question for Steve.,,how does it compare to BOYUURANGE 300B A50 MARK III, you audition ,, please a few of us are wanting to know, your take, thanks.

[@gershhayes796]

Have you reviewed the top of the line carver amps? I couldn't find a review in you video list.

[@kdbmeb99]

What I don't understand about this Amp, is that on Decware's Website they call this a 'Single Ended Triode' amp... But the power tubes of 6P15P-EV are Pentodes. -- Can you explain this?

[@carljung9230]

did you compare the Anniversary model, with two of the $1k amps in monoglot mode?

[@andyanderson3352]

As always I love your reviews.

[@TaNiqua76]

Is this version of the original worth the cost of admission? Or would you just buy the cheaper version?

[@stimpy1226]

Steve, do you have any MapleShade recordings to use in your reviews. I like sound of the labels that you recommend a lot but I've never heard you listen to MapleShade which are incredibly musical and lifelike CDs.

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

Thanks, yes I have a bunch of CDs from that label. I’m not sure they are still in business but I’ll check

[@stimpy1226]

Steve Guttenberg Audiophiliac They are

[@stimpy1226]

Steve Guttenberg Audiophiliac when you find your collection see if you have the twoCD set of " Early Morning Blued". Delta blues which I have really never heard before. Outstanding recording! You like to use the term palpable… Well this one will be for you.

[@davemonell9308]

I have some of the Mapleshade CDs I like the one with female jazz vocalist . The mics and tape deck are tubed it definitely has mid-range of tube based components I prefer Chesky and Ma recordings sound.

[@stimpy1226]

dave monell Have you heard any of their CDs with saxophone players or trombone? I happen to like Chesky, water Lilly, Telarc, Sheffield, Groove Note, Reference recordings, I could go on. I just was wondering why Steve hasn't used any of the Maple Shade recordings for reference. Everyone has their own favorites

[@dougg1075]

Can you still get the 25 anniversary two years later?

[@melomaniacspodcast1105]

Review the Willsenton R8! I love mine

[@redstarwraith]

Steve, Mr. Deckert believes that, "the best preamp is no preamp at all". I wonder if you tried the 25th sans preamp? Deckert does say that a good preamp (and he made a 25th Anniversary preamp to match up with the 25th Anniversary amp) can give you more volume before clipping.

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

Yes I did. Sounded fine. If you're worried about clipping don't buy a 2 watt amp.

[@redstarwraith]

@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac Ha! I am inclined to agree. I was quoting what Steve Deckert himself said regarding what a good preamp can do.

[@LonelyRavenProductio]

​@@redstarwraith Steve (Deckert) and I have gone back and forth about preamp or no preamp. I'm a firm believe that a preamp separates you (another layer) a small percentage from the purity of the music. Hearing actual studio master tapes on various Decware amps ruined me, and I strive for that sound; that closeness to the original recordings. That said, Steve D is really into using a Preamp for "riding the gain"...meaning using the preamp to drive that input tube and give the music a bit of density to the sound. It can help give thinner, digital recordings a bit more "girth" and help them keep up with better recordings. So while Steve says no preamp at all, he also acknowledges how useful a good preamp is and strives for one as invisible as possible. I find that the Decware amps seem to like voltage on the input, and to me XLR sounds the best with that added voltage. But I still can't put a preamp in front of my amps. I probably wouldn't turn down a 25th Pre if I stumbled into one at a good price...but I don't feel I *need* it.

[@redstarwraith]

@@LonelyRavenProductio what Decware gear are you running?

[@LonelyRavenProductio]

@@redstarwraith I have an original Zen amp from '98 that I asked Steve to rework with some notes from me as to what I thought it was missing....which became the inspiration for the Zen 25th. I also have the Mystery amp, serial #000...which is Steve's personal one that's featured in the Mystery Amp build thread.

[@mkfmkf55]

Nice, sure. But easily surpassed by many others. And yes, I've owned the 6 wpc version.

[@CostasLivadiotis]

Can you please tell me what amps easily surpassed a Decware amp and in what aspects? Thanks!

[@anjovandijk9797]

Hi Steve how does the 25th compare to the Leben cs 600 which I have doe you think its an upgrade

[@muratabdi4967]

Can you plug in turntable (phono stage)? Or it is for cd players, line stage?

[@stefansipl6736]

Will it work with Unsion Research Max 2 speakers? At the moment, I‘m powering it with a Unison Simply Italy. Thanks for any reply! :)

[@Hootie_Hoo]

Do you think this amp is best paired with single driver speakers that are high sensitivity?

[@stephencosta6814]

💯 percent

[@kritmil00]

Now try and get a Toolshed made amp and compare it to the Decware, please :)

[@vaneast411]

looks gorgeous... sounds gorgeous... would you say...?

[@utkwheels]

Hello Steve, I was wondering how this amp would act if it was bridged? Would the extra wattage make a noticeable difference? Your opinion would be appreciated.

[@krogg5868]

It puts out 6 watts bridged

[@donaldleo3448]

If I get 2 sets of the Zen Trio (making them as mono power amp), will it sound better than the 25th amp ?

[@dragonflyfab9703]

Monos will give you shorter cables. Important with 2 watts

[@breakfastdeltadisco]

How quickly do the tubes wear out and how do you identify which one needs to go?

[@LeonFleisherFan]

Apart from the sound quality compared to a new set of tubes, the meters upon startup will tell the story.

[@moodyga40]

That would be great for my Altec 604 8h

[@dilbyjones]

Trust Steves Reviews!

[@DannyHoffman57]

"Lifetime" doesn't mean much in general, and especially with small companies. Big companies get sold, etc.; small companies cease to exist when the principal retires or dies. More realistic to think of it as a longer than usual warranty.

[@eliascabrera7139]

How do you think either of these decware amps would pair with a set of Ohm Walsh 2000 or 3000 speakers? Very curious.

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

No, not a good match. 2.3 watts or 25 watts, I don’t think so! 50 or more that’s what you need

[@kwrambo]

Your thoughts Rotel 1592, Magnapan .7's with the Magnapan Sub?

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

Not ideal, but if you’re asking because you already own that amplifier, go for it. Otherwise I’d recommend the Schiit Vidar Freya

[@IvoCoric]

How those it compare to ongaku ?

[@davidvezzi111]

May you try It in mono , one for channel . I think could be fantastic !!!!!

[@epi2045]

I find it interesting you’re using a solid state preamp front end and the Tube amp as the power amp. In the current trend it goes tube front end and a variety of class D, AB, A power amps. Hmmm what’s the sound and performance differences???

[@saedamad]

Love tube

[@HiFiInsider]

I like to try this amplifier.

[@davemonell9308]

Hey Mike his amps are good. I really are too notch too just don't tell Jack Woo.

[@HiFiInsider]

@@davemonell9308 😂

[@rightslot1]

Someone please tell me about listener fatigue with this amp and Klipsch speakers. Don't worry about it? or Yes. It will be a problem. This is not a million dollars, however, certainly don't have money to throw away. Help!! They sound good, but I've never listened for more than a couple moments. I'm sold on the Decware. Not sure which one but sold. THANKS!!

[@douglasobey4307]

So, would this amp be good with almost 50-year-old restored KLH model 30 speakers? Or do they need more power?

[@LonelyRavenProductio]

What's the efficency of those speakers? IMHO, if they are over 91dB they will be just fine!

[@douglasobey4307]

Eric Ventura Great question. That is my problem. I do not know. But they are described as acoustic suspension speakers, 8 ohms. The first descriptor makes me wonder whether they are too inefficient, but I am not an expert, so am at a loss.

[@LonelyRavenProductio]

@@douglasobey4307 Older speakers tended to be light and rather efficient as the amps back then were typically single ended or push pull tube amps between 5 and 25 watts. There are ways you can measure it yourself, but that's tedious. I'm betting with a little internet searching you could find more info. Or, if you happen to be in the Denver area I'd be happy to help...even bring my Decware amps over for you to demo. I love sharing knowledge and listening with other audiophiles.

[@douglasobey4307]

Eric Ventura Thanks for the offer, I’m on the East Coast right now so demo not an option. It’s possible I don’t know the right resources, but I’ve searched high and low on the Internet to get specs for the speakers, even on classic KLH sites, and have come up empty. But merely circumstantial, and therefore sketchy, evidence points to these speakers being of average or low efficiency, based on characterizations in ads from the time or summaries of what acoustic suspension speakers were like back in the day. For what it’s worth, the solid state KLH 35 that our family has used these with for years looks to have been rated at either 15 watts per channel or 15 total, I suspect the former. But my numbers may be off even here.

[@MCMTL]

Hey guys, I'm looking for one of Steve's videos where this guy was showing off a turntable he designed and was talking about materials that can rub against each other basically forever without friction. Can you guys help me find it? Thanks in advance. Marc in Montreal

[@JohnDoe-np3zk]

You're welcome. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bmfPqJucrbJph7s

[@jlmain5777]

Marc Chétrit It’s Joe the Cop. Two videos.

[@johnsantoro6437]

How would either of these pair with Zu Audio Omen DIrty Weekend?

[@artanderson8827]

2 watts can play quite loud with the Dirty Weekends. It is a very good combination.

[@1fastsuperclown]

Does anyone know if these run hot? Was considering one for a small listening room that gets warm in the summer.

[@jimgroce9487]

I have one in my small listening room 12x11 and I live in Texas so summer time is hot. No issues at all with the amp adding heat to the room.

[@1fastsuperclown]

Thanks Jim Groce appreciate the input! What kind of speakers do you run with yours?

[@jimgroce9487]

@@1fastsuperclown Omega super high output alnico monitors, on 16” Skylan stands. I sit about 7’ away in my small but treated/dedicated room. I listen to all kinds of music except metal and rap. I never feel as though I need more power. Just yesterday I was listening to the new Black Keys album, very thick bass and recorded live in the studio, sounded fantastic.

[@koenigjeffrey]

Love there where is Waldo shirt

[@mr.george7687]

Odd to place the input RCA jacks on top & in the front of the amp.

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

The RCA input is right next to the input tube, that's a logical design choice.

[@LonelyRavenProductio]

I have one of Steve's early amps, bought in '98. I brought it in to get some updates and he moved the RCA jacks up front - shortest path to the input tube. The whole idea behind the amp is shortest path, least amount of parts in the signal path. Listening to the amp you get why!

[@dksculpture]

@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac Exactly. 👍

[@LeonFleisherFan]

@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac Do you think it'll hurt the sound to use 90-degree RCA angle adapters so as not to put so much strain on the plug and cable?

[@rhwinner]

2 watts is a little too boutique for my taste. But, they have more powerful amps on their web site which piqued my interest....

[@QoraxAudio]

10:45 What is "Cuban quality"?

[@timstar0]

Does this amp offgass?

[@tlhuffman]

Know you, I get the desire for an amplifier that connects you to the "soul" of the music. I also get the desire for a musical, euphonic presentation. What I don't get, why do it with a package that is so impractical, so limited to high-efficiency speakers, so lacking in dynamics and slam? I mean it isn't as if you couldn't engineer a tube amp like this that offered 20-watts per channel. It is not as if the absurdly low power output is what gives it its musical advantages. What's the point? I don't understand.

[@decwareproducts]

It's a great question. The reason to go so impractical is that such a small amp can and does have only 3 parts in the signal path which when done right it is the reference for transparency. Another reason it works so well is that high efficiency speakers get that way by having lower moving mass. That gives them the ability to stop faster, resulting in far better linearity and accuracy. I can assure you that on Steve's Cornwall 4's or similarly efficient speaker with a full bass response, there is no shortage of dynamics or slam. That all said, if you think it is impractical now, 25 years ago there were but a handful of current production high efficiency speakers we liked well enough to pair with our amp, so we went on a long trek to create the same sound but more of it. This resulted in larger amplifiers that maintain this Decware sound. The TORII JR. is 20+ watts, the TORII MK4 is slightly more, the ZMA is 40 and our TORII MONO's are 60 watts. The fact that they all sound so close to this 2 watt amp is one of my highest points of pride, because it was not easy and it took many years. -Steve Deckert

[@tlhuffman]

@@decwareproducts Thanks for your reply. I wish that Steve had been clear about the fact that your company offers a wide selection of tube amps from the 2.3 watt model reviewed here all the way up to a 60-watt monoblock. I would tend to think that the 25-watt $3.5K TORII MK4 was the sweet spot in the line-up, but that is probably a matter of subjective preference.

[@cartilagehead]

How does the stereo Zen Triode compare to using two in mono mode, or the monoblocks (which appear to be a separate model)?

[@decwareproducts]

A Zen Triode amplifier can be bridged into mono by series connecting the outputs which are totally floating with no reference to ground. This is why there is no loss of transparency like there would be when you parallel two channels. There are two ways to accomplish this, the most common is single-ended RCA configuration, but it can also be done as a fully differential balanced amp with the right cabling. So there are three things to compare. Assuming you don't need the additional power so that we can focus only on signature, the stereo amp being the benchmark, a pair of them bridged mono brings more headroom, and weight to the presentation but otherwise sounds the same. Bridging them in the fully differential balanced configuration elevates the sound rather dramatically, making everything sound more lucid and more powerful. This last arrangement on 94dB speakers had the same slam and weight as our 40 watt ZMA (Zen Mystery Amp) which is to say that when you want to listen loud and you switch in the large amp, now you find you don't have to. That's almost true with a normal bridged pair, but the balanced pushes it over the edge. It's just something you have to experience to understand because both measure the same power.

[@sainaveenbali]

Any tubeamp under 500$ ? Plz suggest

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

There’s no good under $500 tube amp that I’m aware of. Having said that buy a used tube amplifier, from a source that has good user feedback.

[@sainaveenbali]

@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac thanks for reply. Its hard to find used tube amp in India but I will looki to the same. What's the entry level amp u can suggest me Steve?? Tha ks for reply I. Adavance once again

[@amitraam1270]

Not about PDP-11 computers!