Bonus Episode: Interview with Decware's Steve Deckert

[@devondeckert732]

That's my man! I couldn't be more impressed or more proud of him. Happy to share him with the many folks he has reached through his passion for audio. Love ya babe!

[@wramrobertodecamargoaccors4679]

You can be justly proud, and we're certainly very impressed as well! The world's a better place because of Decware!

[@LonelyRavenProductio]

Hi Devon! Miss you guys so much! I'm sad no Decfest this year, but you know I'll be there next year!

[@petez4608]

😊 what a wonderful thing to read here! I would love to have one of these soon.

[@jismo7]

I hope to buy one of his amps soon. I have built 3 of his subwoofers: the Wicked One, the Housewrecker and the Inverted Wedge. All very impressive. I built the Wicked One back in 2005 and it's still going strong using Decware 10" subs😁

[@hagerman_amplification]

Did he ever tell you the story of how he stole my Cornet phono circuit design?

[@user-od9iz9cv1w]

Great interview. I have long been intrigued by Steve Deckert and his approach to high end audio.

[@raphaelmeillat8527]

Sounds like a great guy. So nice to put a face behind an amp brand... Thanks for this video Steve!

[@TheRealWindlePoons]

I enjoyed this video, thanks, Steve. I have spent a significant proportion of my engineering career in automation and instrumentation: I measure things for my day job. I build single triode amps as a hobby. I measure the power supply performance but the whole amp? No. An amp in this context is there to reproduce a musical performance, not a test signal. The correct instruments for measuring music are your *ears*. The only time I measure a whole amp is when there is something obviously wrong and I'm trying to fix it. Steve Deckert is one of home audio's heros.

[@xjmzrq]

Having recently picked up ‘88 lascala’s, I feel that Decware would be a nice pairing. I’m quite impressed with Deckert’s no nonsense approach to his product line.

[@dilbyjones]

This thing should be huge... man what a contender, I definitely like the set of descriptors he uses for the sound! Illuminating ...Great Price!

[@rmzidann]

I got the Decware buzz in the late 90s…. Ended up buying 4 versions of the Zen SET amps, 2 different preamps, a phone stage and a speaker pair… great company and both Steve and Devon were extremely helpful on the phone. And I do like the emphasis on American parts! 👏🏼

[@vaneast411]

25th anniversary edition = gorgeous piece of kit🌹🔊🛸

[@andrewbutton5580]

It takes listening to one of these to really understand how magical they are. Simplicity is Devine with these.

[@paullazarro531]

Thanks to both of you for the interview Steve(s). Very interesting to say the least! Loved it!

[@russelllowell]

I love that he mentioned his speaker repair business. My first internet purchase was with Steve which was the reconing of a set of ADS drivers circa 1997 which the company wouldn't support any longer. That repair lasted up until last year.

[@brianruhl4488]

Decware and Ohm are my favorite audio companies.....really nice that we got to meet the folks behind both these companies.

[@De132an]

brian Ruhl , too bad both don’t play well together! 📻

[@brianruhl4488]

@@De132an maybe ohm from years gone by....I don't know about today?

[@redstarwraith]

Great interview. Steve. Thank you for this one. Steve D. is an interesting character. Doesn't do the big audio shows (yet he hosts his own show there in Illinois). His fans are zealous "true believers". Just about more than any other piece of audio gear it is Decware that I most would like to try out for myself.

[@hippydippy]

I lived in Peoria for 35 years. I remember when they started up. There was like 4 people involved. All semi hippie type party people who just loved great music & audio. I believe they use to have parties to show off their new creations. They've come a long way since then. Very cool.

[@LonelyRavenProductio]

Steve still hosts "Decfest" the first weekend of October. People from all over the US come to hang out, talk audio, listen...hell, each year there have been people from other countries making the trip! I remember Steve's old house on Adams street I think it was, and even jammed in his basement with Steve on the drums. Wonderful memories there.

[@silviopimentel7247]

It reminds me so much of my hand wound guitar amps. Ur pure & humble no nose up in the air bull!!

[@rongreen1538]

This guy is a star what a genuine character. My next amp will be from him.

[@ericstolze8925]

Call them and odds are that Steve will gladly take the time to speak with you. I own several Decware products and they’re lifelong keepers.

[@LonelyRavenProductio]

Steve is exactly as he seems...in fact, he's way smarter than his humble, mellow tone shows. Definitely get an amp - try out the Zen 25th amp if you can swing it and have efficient speakers.

[@markscott7583]

Spoke to Steve Deckert on the phone to better appreciate which ZEN UFO amp would be best for my room, speakers, listen style, music, preference of sound (warm) - between basic, basic with 25th anniversary mods or 25th anniversary model - he recommended the least expensive base model with good logical reasons - a true and honest gentleman. Based on our conversation I’m a customer for life. Can’t wait to get the Amp.

[@tomchan2559]

Thanks Steve for introducing Decware to us. I have no doubt their products are good because they are in the business for 25 years. Even though MANY MANY Audiophiles have NEVER heard of them. Mr. Deckert is a genuine guy and willing to adapt to the market without abandoning his belief. Their speakers seem very interesting too. Have you listen to some of them ?

[@karenjobagy5822]

I own an all Decware system [expect sources] and use his HDT speakers.My Naim system isn't even in the same class,let alone cost.

[@FOH3663]

Love the idea of this superb little amp in a dedicated simple killer system; Source-Amp-Speakers ah, perfect! But then I immediately begin to think hell, I'll buy a pair of these beauties and run them mono, yeah; Source- (L)-Amp-Speaker (R)-Amp-Speaker But then I think, well hell, ... I'll passive tri-amp so I'll buy six of these little beauties! Source- Low-(L)-Amp-Speaker Low-(R)-Amp-Speaker Mid-(L)-Amp-Speaker Mid-(R)-Amp-Speaker High-(L)-Amp-Speaker High-(R)-Amp-Speaker But then I think ... Neurosis

[@mikecees2230]

If you buy 6 you might want to have a powerful air conditioner installed in your room as well.

[@FOH3663]

@@mikecees2230 Indeed! However, it cuts both ways ... as those tubes would supplement the home's heating during those cold Midwestern nights.

[@sergei971]

I love my Decware CSP3 preamplifier. Tubes look so beautiful and I love the sound.

[@jimgroce9487]

After a wonderful phone conversation with Steve 2 1/2 years ago I bought this little 2.3W amp to run my Omega alnico monitors and have to say it is and perhaps always will be the best audio decision I’ve ever made. I run my Liberty Audio B2B phone stage directly into it.....no line preamp...and don’t think I’m missing very much. Great product from a cool guy who’s in the business for the right reasons.

[@jonwatchesnyc8777]

Hi - I’ve been thinking about trying exactly the same rig. Question - how big is your listening space (ie roughly how far are you from your speakers). Thanks!

[@jimgroce9487]

@@jonwatchesnyc8777 I have a small room about 12X11. It’s a dedicated room and the speakers are about three feet away from both the side and rear walls. Speakers are about 6.5 feet apart and I sit about 6 feet away but sometimes a bit closer. I don’t have a great room but it’s well set up and I get very nice soundstage layering. I never feel like I need more power and rarely turn the volume past 12.

[@jonathanphilipmir]

@@jimgroce9487 thanks so much for the quick reply! really appreciate the info; my amp only goes up to 11, and so hopefully I can get good results as well

[@eggshellskullrule7971]

Thank you Mr. Deckert!!

[@ctesta11]

Enjoyed hearing from the great Steve Deckert. Mr. Audiophiliac, I'd love to hear a review of Decware's Turning Point model HR-1 speakers!! I suspect they are amazing with the right upstream gear...

[@exodusvelo]

great interiew from yet another one of those experts who actually know, because of experience and actual use, what this is all about and how it's going to work depending on X. Tip: select playback speed to 1.25 or 1.5, easier to understand these complex things at that speed, i think.

[@jimatyeo]

I own one of the SE84UFO amps. Absolutely love it. This is one of audio's best kept secret's. I have always been amazed that you rarely here about these products from the main stream audio world. I found out about them a few years ago when I started to use and make open baffle speaker's. Using high SPL full range driver's. Great company it took me 3 month's to get one brand new. Well worth the wait!

[@karenjobagy5822]

The mainstream audio world does not like Decware because they expose the overpriced audio jewellery racket that exists at the shows and dealers.

[@orwhat24]

Very exciting product! I’d love a bigger discussion about speaker choices.

[@GVernon]

Basically anything 92 dB sensitivity and above work well. I use two different open baffle setups - one pair with 8” full range(96dB) & one pair with 10” full range(99dB)

[@orwhat24]

geno are those the speakers Decware sells?

[@Grooverski]

Proud owner of Decware gear here. Good stuff. Great sound. Thinking about their all balanced preamp and 2nd from top amp. Maybe one day.

[@Music2Die4]

My audio friend owns both this amp and monoblock versions of the amp..... Driving 100 dB efficient speakers..... These are indeed phenomenal amplifiers.

[@geol7408]

Name and model of your friends 100db sensitive speakers please? I'm considering one of these flea amps and collecting info on appropriate loudspeakers. Thank you.

[@Music2Die4]

@@geol7408 They're custom speakers..... They use Eminence 15" coaxial drivers (with center horn) with an "unknown" tweeter. (The late amp builder Don Allen of Arizona designed, built, and once owned these speakers.) I have a similar setup with Seismic Audio "T Driver" compression tweeters, still excellent, but don't sound quite as good. (I do not own Decware amplifiers.)

[@RadioShack-vo2sn]

AFTER WATCHING THIS INTERVIEW, I AM GOING TO ORDER A DECWARE AMPLIFIER. I WAS SERIOUSLY THINKING OF ORDERING A PATHOS, BUT I'M GOING AMERICAN OVER ITALIAN. THANK YOU STEVE AND STEVE

[@HareDeLune]

Fantastic interview! This guy is my hero, and I've *got* to hear one of these amps! : D

[@mkfmkf55]

I'd wait to hear the amp before making him your hero.

[@raynewcomb337]

what speakers are you using?

[@LonelyRavenProductio]

Steve is good people, and his amps are amazing.

[@blairholmesproductionsinc.9432]

So terrific! Sincere and informative. Thanks!

[@alexandrezanol]

Late night listening in a very quiet room is where it´s at. It´s my thing, when I don´t have much to do the next morning and can afford to sleep late. So I am definitely looking to build an amp like Deckert's in the near future. (Up until now I have been a solid state DIYer.) Thanks for the great content Steve

[@trinityalps3695]

I bought my Decware SV83B back in the 90s and still use it and still love it. I really like it's simplicity and detailed holographic sound. It's quite wonderful. I had it hooked up to Lowthers (DX3s), and my tricked out La Scalas. Also have a FirstWatt F7 and a Decware Taboo. Seems like we've been traveling along similar audio highways. :)

[@ufarkingicehole]

Whats your favorite amp?

[@darthdurkelthewise320]

Love Decware and the staff is awesome! Steve - We don’t want remotes and we don’t need things to make them cost more!! 🤣

[@TwangThang57]

FWIW, I watched the interview with Eno's "On Land" overlaying the audio (thru Tin Hifi buds). Pretty interesting!

[@jlmain5777]

Awesome interview Steve and Steve. Time to go back to tubes.

[@ks4545]

I've had a super zen triode ufo2 for several years. Match speakers properly and have realistic expectations as to volume and it's fantastic. And if there's ever a question, or an issue, there's someone to talk to and you won't be rushed off the phone. Steve spent significant time with me when choosing an amp and then speakers. I have never had one, single issue with the amp since then. Well, one issue, I want more of his stuff...

[@thomaswachter7782]

I have to say, it's a beautiful looking amp. I love his philosophy.

[@Labor_Jones]

this is like the 3rd time i've watch it and each time I hear something I didn't understand before. :)

[@tee-jaythestereo-bargainph2120]

Thanks for the video the $1499.00 integrated amp well amp looks Killer ! Thanks Steve

[@stevebrown9363]

Didn't these use to be available as kits? Love to see that option again. It's hard to imagine such a small SE OPT going very low. 74 khz? Maybe, but 20hz, or even 100 hz, hmm...

[@wpg_dude1400]

first tube you build , then find the best speaker, then go for anew tube and an amp. If it blows the beard its to loud. Love Steve and his work!

[@jonwatchesnyc8777]

Thanks for the great video! What are some phono stages you’d recommend that people try with the Decware? - maybe three different ones worth listening to - Thanks!

[@De132an]

Had to hit an espresso during about the middle but still well worth sticking with it till the end. 📺

[@rothschildianum]

He needs to record for Calm application to help people sleep, his voice is so boring! I have never met a person like this!!!!

[@weasel2htm]

Nice to hear Mr. Deckert's voice. I found out about them when someone mentioned "The Deathbox" on a newsgroup 20+ years ago, I never bought any hardware from them, I used to have a site key to where I could download any plans I wanted. I need to see about finding that, I've got a couple 12" car subs sitting around doing nothing, I'd like to build another Deathbox or two for one or both of them.

[@robertnelson3179]

I now know why I recognized the name. I had some of the software back in the day. Never would have linked it if not for this video.

[@gjtube37]

Thank you for the great interview. I recently found out about Decware and have heard and read nothing but high praise for their amps. I recently bought a HIFIman Susvara and am looking for a great tube amp for it. Does Decware make an amp that can more than satisfactorily power it and bring out the best in it? Thanks again! You have a great channel!

[@brittanyc3282]

Putting this on 1.25× speed made it so much better 😑

[@joseeduardomendoza3565]

Hi there, I have a pair of monitor audio silver 500 7g. Would they work ok with the zen triode? Would I gain something by buying two zen triode and using them as mono blocks? Should I look for the Decware integrated amplifiers 4 or 6 watts per channel? or given my speakers should I look for other tube integrated amp like Willsenton R8 or R800i? Thanks in advance for your help?

[@Gullsz]

It is misleading to say there are only three components in the signal path because the signal also has to pass through two tubes and an output transformer. Still very good though.

[@thornsoylentgreen7166]

mrs guttenberg looking for a snack in the fridge at 17:12

[@JG-gg9wk]

Entertaining to say the least. Steve have you or anyone else heard his line of speakers? Might ask him to send you some. Like to hear your thoughts.

[@ML-rm3vk]

I would like to see mr.decker audio system it must be special fine interview like always thank you.

[@Saiju7]

Hi Steve. Thanks for your reviews and advises. I can honestly say that you are the one ignited my interest in two channel audio. I recently bought a AMC XIA30 integrated amp and also an AMC hybrid tube DAC 9 to pair it with pioneer SPFS52 floor standing speakers. My question is have you ever tried AMC products ? Could you please review them if you could ? I couldn't find any reviews about them at all and I heard that they are built by engineers from NAD. Thanks in advance

[@IvoCoric]

Does it sounds natural and organic ?

[@dksculpture]

Looking forward to your Decware amp review Steve!

[@progressiveguy9959]

That vid was posted at 8:01am.

[@paulmlemay]

I LOVE THIS GUY. Just take my friggin money.

[@HareDeLune]

Ha-ha! Yep! 😆

[@Toki1908]

18:06 I'm sorry to hear that, but you are such a great guy made this company since.

[@scottstrang1583]

Beautiful gear. But I thought he was interviewing someone from Digital Equipment Corporation and talking him being an audiophile.

[@EssenceofPureFlavor]

That would be pretty cool.

[@CreamyBone]

Decware also sells PC boards for DIY 😋👍

[@sonusancti]

I have a couple of questions I wish Steve G had asked Steve D. First, is it his firm belief from experience that the EL84 in its purist circuit cannot be beat by any other power tube in a similar purist circuit? Or is his devotion to the EL84 more for sentimental reasons? Just asking, certainly not judging. Secondly, taking the EL84 to the "next level" as with the anniversary edition project, why is PSE not an option for Mr Deckert? What compromise was unacceptable for him if any? Surely those additional watts would be manna for many, fan or no fan. Personally, I subscribe to an open philosophy when it comes to design. After all, what makes this passion inherently subjective is the fact that no two pair of ears are precisely alike. As with sight, beauty, as the cliche goes, lies in the eyes of the beholder.

[@coldfinger459sub0]

Three parts in the signal path. Sounds like Nelson Pass but just a tube version of a Zen amp. This is Nelson‘s Pass other brother from another mother. I always wondered and dreamed if there was a Tube version this simple. Now I know what my next do it yourself projects going to be.

[@decwareproducts]

I believe it was in 1998 when I first started selling this amp which I just called the 'Zen Amp' because it was so simple... and because the original tube compliment was inspired by a Zenith Console Stereo from 1959 that really caught my ear at the time. Then I found out with some embarrassment that Nelson Pass already had a popular solid state version of nearly the same thing called the Zen Amp. In fact we had a phone conversation where he graciously offered to simply call his the Pass Zen amp and I would call mine the Decware Zen Triode amp even though at the time I could barely pay my electric bill and he had a seriously successful audio company. From that point forward I became more familiar with his work and frankly have always since looked at him as one of my heroes and a gracious one at that. He has a lot to teach. I have heard several of his amps, one in my own listening room, and they are marvelous. I have a very small list of solid state amplifiers that I enjoy and Nelson's are on it. -Steve Deckert

[@vmpty]

Are his amps powerful enough if you have 4 Ohms/ 88db speakers? Would it be possible to get the good part of both worlds with one of his preamplifiers and the right AB class amp?

[@decwareproducts]

Again, in a smaller room, or near field 88 dB speakers/4 ohm will sound great at modest playback levels. When I originally designed and built the Zen Triode amplifiers 88/89dB speakers were all I had in my arsenal and they took me on a late night trip that lasted 4 years. About every two weeks I would get frustrated because it sounded so damn good I wanted to hear it really loud and it wouldn't go there. About twice a year I would put in a 100 watt AV receiver on them and crank it for 10 minutes which was all I could ever take, because by comparison it sounded so bad. In fact, as soon as I got the tube amp hooked-up again my mind was on getting back that wonderful sound I had, and I no longer cared about playing it loud. You could say the experience killed the urge. This would last for a month or so and then I would do it again. Now, that I listen to that same amplifier on 100dB speakers, I know I was cheating myself in those early days, but hey -- without that incredible tease I would have never moved to the next step.

[@henriksrensen5958]

Please interview Flemming Rasmussen from gryphon audio

[@thomasedward2231]

This guy is the man. 🇺🇸

[@wendyb9923]

Hi Steve, will you do a review of sunglasses that have blue toot speakers in them please, I do not think this has been done and i wou;d really like to see it. thank you

[@mikecees2230]

For me a Decware pre with a Pass power sounds pretty good on paper. For some reason preamps tend to cost more than integrated amps.

[@BicycleJoeTomasello]

I have an appointment to speak with Steve Deckert today.

[@jeffbigbear1766]

Hook up a bluetooth device and link your phone to it and use your phone as a remote.

[@DTC888]

I wish Steve would've included NAFTA paperwork when he shipping my Torii 4 eight years ago....since it's made in the USA....I would have saved alot of DUTY...maybe more amps would be bought by Canadians.

[@doriarama]

TBH, I am more curious about the Betsy open baffle loudspeaker.

[@JohnDoe-sp5jd]

doriarama I don’t think that Mr. Gutenberg has courage(nerve) to test them and stay honest in comparison to other far more expensive speakers that he reviews...

[@doriarama]

@@JohnDoe-sp5jd Mr. Gutenberg always say good things about the Magnepan's speakers, which are not expensive speakers, so I don't think he is suffering from lack of "courage". :)

[@commane21]

@@JohnDoe-sp5jd What a rude thing to say.

[@silviopimentel7247]

Sir i need with urgentcy to get one before u decide to make this beuty into an item just for the rich. Like mcintoch witch ur humble humanity make products for real music lovers or tone worshipers i should say!! Thank u sir for producing one of the best sounds products i ever heard! 🙏

[@chicowasp]

Does the super zen triode work ok with a cd player,and how abouth with Harbeth p3esr ,maybe about 84 db ?

[@decwareproducts]

Works great a DAC or CD player -- both having an industry standard output level of 2 volts or more. The input sensitivity of the older Zen Triodes was about 2 volts, the new models are about a volt and a half. That means a CD player will drive it to full power without issues. It also means the input gain/volume control will have to be turned up nearly to full before the amplifier clips. As for speakers, 84dB will work in the near field with one of these amps, but anything else will be volume limited meaning it will be a lot of fun, it will sound amazing, but it won't be a permanent pairing because it won't get loud enough to satisfy ALL of you moods.

[@chicowasp]

@@decwareproducts Thanks for reply.Where would i find a 240 volt version,im in uk.

[@nickmimi3631]

No, will not work well w/ that Harbeth. Not a good match, i have the Falcom LS3/5a’s and they are not efficient enough to enjoy with Steve’s amps.

[@DKR-1881]

I like this guy.

[@michaelgarnett1372]

Steve would love to get your thoughts on the Decware sound vs Shindo vs Leben

[@gonzol46]

Great Steve 👍 i Think i would have one Zen fore my Thivan labs eros 9 speakers 😊

[@rabit818]

Same volume/dB with a a Denon or comparable integrated amp, how will this tube amp compare? Yes, it is a silly question, but humor us who own budget transistor products.

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

The sound will be more dynamically alive and have more three dimensional presence. And tonally richer.

[@lilpoindexter]

my og decware amp should be in my grubby hands jan 2026. i should get a t shirt for every year I was on the list

[@rd264]

whats the least expensive ideal speaker for the UFO?

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

Ideal is a strong word, but I like the Klipsch RP 600 M

[@ernstoud]

Craftsmanship. Period.

[@Herman-zc7te]

Enjoyed it

[@my2cents395]

The quality of sound certainly is influenced by tube choice.

[@tomy2988]

Has anybody compared the Super Zen Triode to anything from Dennis Had or others? I have a AudioNote el 84 amp that is great but always looking for other tube amps.

[@dragonflyfab8982]

It would have to be the Rachael vs Had sweet 807. Not the Decware se84.

[@MikeDawson1]

if you wanted to run this tiny 2.3W amp, how could you add a subwoofer into the system while maintaining the transparency? just buy a good DAC with multiple outputs?

[@Grooverski]

Preamp with subwoofer out or Rel sub would do.

[@luminiferous1960]

Although I do not have the Super Zen Triode amp, I do have a flea watt single-ended triode (SET) integrated amplifier, the Cayin HA-1A (original version), which outputs only about one Watt to the speaker outputs in SET mode (it also has a switch to use Ultralinear mode with about 2 W output, but I prefer SET mode). With that amplifier, I found that it is best to use a powered subwoofer with speaker/high level inputs and a built-in adjustable crossover so that I can run speaker wires from the amplifier to the subwoofer speaker/high level inputs, and speaker wires from the subwoofer speaker/high level outputs to the speakers. Since the powered subwoofer's amp provides the power for driving the subwoofer, the subwoofer does not tax the output power of the amp, freeing the amp to just drive the main stereo speakers above the crossover frequency set by the subwoofer's crossover. Since the input to the subwoofer's amplifier is from the output of the SET amplifier, it retains much of the SET amp's sonic characteristics in the bass, but with more grip and control due to the higher power of the subwoofer's amplifier. This method of connecting powered subwoofers is recommended by Paul McGowan of PS Audio: www.psaudio.com/askpaul/the-best-way-to-connect-a-subwoofer/ and www.psaudio.com/askpaul/the-best-way-to-connect-a-subwoofer-2/ . My stereo speakers are Caintuck Audio's Betsy Baffle speakers and the subwoofer is Caintuck Audio's Alpha Bass Baffle with the Dayton Audio SA230 230W Subwoofer Amplifier provided by Caintuck Audio. Here is a link to Caintuck Audio's products: www.caintuckaudio.com/Products.html Note that Decware lists the Caintuck Audio Betsy among the high efficiency speakers compatible with Decware amps: www.decware.com/newsite/Caintuck.html . I also have Aperion Audio Planar-Magnetic Flat Ribbon Super Tweeters connected to the Betsy Baffle speakers to fill-in for the dip in response of the Betsy speakers between about 12 kHz and 20 kHz. See www.aperionaudio.com/products/aperionaudio-planar-magnetic-ribbon-super-tweeter-speaker?variant=717072172092556 Although it does take some tweaking of positioning and crossover settings to get the Alpha, Betsy, and Aperion speakers set up to play well together, once you hit the right combination, the sound is glorious with my 1 W Cayin amp in SET mode and Little Bear P8 preamplifier, IMHO - YMMV. I am, however, thinking about replacing the Cayin HA-1A amp with the Decware Super Zen Triode amp in order to about double the output power while retaining SET mode. It isn't that I need more loudness per se, but I do need a little more headroom/dynamic range for peaks in large scale orchestral music, which sounds a little constrained with the one watt Cayin amp in SET mode.

[@HareDeLune]

@@luminiferous1960 Thank you very much for your comment. Informative, good advice, and very helpful to me. : ) I have been trying to gather information and plan for a dream system I want to put together in better times. I had been doubtful about using a powered sub because I like minimalism and was concerned about the effects of another amp and power supply in the circuit, plus the concern for what might be an inferior amp built into the sub. What you say makes very good sense to me, however. I had almost forgotten about the benefits of removing the load of the bass from the main amp. I also appreciate your comment about the sub amp retaining the characteristics of the SET amp when connected in this way. With that, you have laid my doubts to rest and given me renewed confidence. Thank you once again. : D

[@luminiferous1960]

@@HareDeLune You're welcome. I'm glad that I could provide some useful information to you. Enjoy your audiophile journey. Remember that part of the fun can be trying new things and learning new things, and that you learn as much from the mistakes as the successes, sometimes even more. You alone are the judge of what does or does not work for you. So go forward boldly with your renewed confidence, and have fun!

[@TEH725]

I have used a separate subwoofer amp as described here and I have also used a crown amp with an internal digital crossover. That is my current setup. My sub amp was just OK quality and I found the crown to be tighter and gave more impact. Bought on eBay.

[@RogierYou]

And now the waiting cue is even langer .

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

Steve must be doing something right!

[@bertoray5497]

Did he tell you what speakers he was using wherein his Anniversary Edition knocked his socks off?

[@michaelgarnett1372]

Decware makes speakers as well

[@TEH725]

I believe they were his open baffle. I built a pair and have an anniversary amp and, well, I am barefoot most of the time.

[@decwareproducts]

I was using the 94db 1w/1m DNA2's located on our web site. That speaker has been my all around goto speaker for about two years, it's just so refined and well balanced and holographic. Then I switched to the the Zen Master Series open baffles which are closer to 100dB 1w/1m, which took things up another notch dynamically. Imagine a crossoverless full-range driver that is 15 inches in diameter that has a moving mass of 14.7 grams. The only thing that fast in my collection is my full-range electrostatic speakers by Acoustat - the monitor 4's with direct-drive servo-charged tube amps. Only these open baffles sound better because the amplification is so much better. And unlike the Acoustat monitors that took two people, lasers, tape marks all over the floor and about 2 days to get right, the open baffles sound good anywhere you set them. FAR more forgiving, and far less headache.

[@bertoray5497]

@@decwareproducts Thank you for your informative and gracious reply.

[@weeverob]

i would have asked him where he got his electronics knowledge.

[@pml22]

The latest $200 price increase makes it a non starter for me.

[@silviopimentel7247]

Remotes 😆 this is tone nirvana not remote poops

[@blazintommydblazintommyd4416]

Cool guy

[@mkfmkf55]

The preamps might be OK, but for tube power go Rogue or Primaluna...

[@reserva120]

the audio on this interview is awful..

[@bilguana11]

Lots of headroom, damping factor and load invariant.

[@johnsweda2999]

I'm not sure I'm agreeing what he's saying, you can get one tube that produces 160 Watts they were used in Russian radar systems manufacturers out there are making them at ridiculous prices

[@TEH725]

I am pretty sure he could make them with higher output but chooses not to ... for the sound.

[@johnsweda2999]

@@TEH725 yes because he said he "didn't want to put a lot of tubes in the Signal Path" what you don't need to have with one tube at 160 Watts

[@decwareproducts]

The tubes referred to are the GM80 and GM100 if memory servers me right. They were used during the war as low frequency triodes. Their application was to drive a iron hammer that would ping Morris code on the rail road tracks to positions across enemy lines. As I understand it the first one had a range of around 75 miles and the bigger one over twice that distance. So while yes, you can create a single tube that puts out 100 watts class A triode but you will need a rather large voltage swing to drive it, also a 17 amp DC heater circuit, sunglasses for when you go into your listening room because it is so bright, and probably at least 3 stages or more to pass a signal to it. That means two resistors and one capacitor at minimum for each stage. A Zen Triode has only a single capacitor and two resistors, not to mention an incredible output tube that makes hi-end audio just plane a lot of fun. How many tubes the size of your thumb have a 10,000 hour rating with double thick glass, a highly refined and petite gold grid, and the bandwidth of a video tube with only 27 mills of current and 330 volts?

[@stevec3526]

Sounded very interesting but Steve Deckert's lighting is terrible. It really distracts from his message.

[@decwareproducts]

I would have to agree with that! I put a large photography light about 4 feet from my face and apparently forgot to turn it on. As audiophiles we can all relate to standing in front of amplifiers scratching our head as to why one won't turn on only to realize we didn't plug it in... this is like that.

[@ColocasiaCorm]

This was painful to watch

[@mysock351C]

Theres a reason *NO ENGINEER* listens to either the amplifiers or speakers they design: Personal biases. Theres also no need whatsoever to "listen" to a speaker or amplifier. They're proud of that because it shows they're doing their job and using objective design methodologies as they should. All the details of what it actually sounds like can be found via test instruments and standardized testing. With the proper data, I can tell right away what a speaker will sound like, or how good an amp is. Don't need to hear it, the data and figures of merit will tell the whole story right there, sound unheard.

[@richardvannoy7230]

“There’s a sucker born every minute.” About $500/watt. *@&#% ridiculous.

[@jeffofarabica7096]

I assume this is also how you shop for cars? $XXXX/HP? Such a silly metric for discussing amp quality.

[@richardvannoy7230]

JeffofArabica Thanks for the reply. However, your analogy is not logical. Any car of any horsepower will get me to the supermarket. But if I have normal efficiency speakers a couple of watts won’t do it. When I play classical music at concert levels I see continuous output up to 5 watts and peaks of 20 to 30. Call me frugal, but I wont pay $50,000 for a car or $1,000 for a couple watt amp. Regardless of “quality”.

[@dragonflyfab8982]

May the tubular fleas that live in the sands of dead transistors come to feed upon your soul with grace and mercy!

[@jimgroce9487]

You have entirely missed the point and it’s not worth trying to explain it to you. Happy listening.

[@pascalw.paradis8954]

Isn't there a 2 year waiting for that long. That's crazy. I'd buy them but I can't wait two years !