wdw, be sure to check out the DNA2 of Decware’s while there. One of our members here says it is a fantastic match for the SE84UFO25 amp.
I use Decware’s HR-1 which are far less efficient but work perfectly in two systems with the very similar SE84UFO3-25 monoblock amps, and also with the Taboo Mk IV-25 amp. Worth hearing!
Got my eye on the SE84UFO25 amp and Zen Master Series. The key to making any of this happen is speaker matching. Thus a road trip. A few items on my list, which most likely will change with Steve’s recommendations. I’m not so much of a buy it and try audiophile, more of listen and buy it. Brick and Mortar is still my preference. Will check out the DNA series as well.
Not sure if that will work in my space. Could be rather cool with the SET:
Yes those huge open baffles look and probably sound amazing but I don’t have nor ever expect to have a space that suits them. Or never could while married, and I love being married!
Here ya go, these outta fit:
Ha, I’ve been following the development of these over the last year but have no use for them. I own two pair of the originals:
I’ve always been intrigued by Steve’s designs, regardless of what they are. He seems to follow no one, which I like.
I’m looking forward to hearing about your experiences there.
??? omni?
Should be interesting to say the least.
The Decware HR-1–both omni-directional and directional, with also a ribbon tweeter and a passive radiator.
Would work very well. I used the MK III version for five years or more with HR-1. But I find I much prefer the sound of the SE84UFO3 monoblocks with the same speakers . . .
So in your experience one 2.5 Watt SE84UFO3 may not get the job done, but 6 Watt monoblocks provide enough umph and headroom with HR-1s?
The SE84UFO3 with the Anniversary Mods are not 6 watt, but closer to 3. They are a bit more powerful than the SE84UFO325, maybe 25 percent, being in a single chassis each with the large transformer each and slightly bigger power supplies. When I had several models of the basic Zen 2 watt amp, all of which predated the UFO transformers and the Anniversary mods, they felt strained driving my RL2s, then ERR and then HR-1 they “worked” but they felt strained and lacked ultimate headroom. So I moved to the larger amps. I settled on the Torii Mk III for some time, had it upgraded when the UFO transformers came out, and those gave me the headroom. But with the UFO transformers and the ZBIT to take advantage of the balanced output of the DSD and the ZROCK2 which is an essential component to me, the Monoblocks are more natural sounding and I just ease into the music. So for my rooms and for my listening levels (I respect my ears, tweaked them enough in my band days) the SE84UFO3 Monoblocks, decked out with the Anniversary mods, are the number one amps, followed by the Taboo Mk IV with the Anniversary mods, probably 4 to 5 watts of SEP power.
Whew, that helps. From Steve’s website he is specifying 2.5 wpc for a stereo SE84UFO03 25th anniversary and 6 wpc for the mono blocks. My first thought would be the stereo version partnered with the proper speaker. Going mono block amps down the road is an option, but picking a proper speaker and vacuum tubes seems most important.
“Whew, that helps. From Steve’s website he is specifying 2.5 wpc for a stereo SE84UFO03 25th anniversary and 6 wpc for the mono blocks.”
Well, 2.5 watts for the SE84UFO25 without the 3–what I have is a seperate model, the SE84UFO3 monoblocks which I had upgraded with the 25th Anniversary Mods, one output tube per monoblock. If you bridge the SE84UFO25 into mono and use two you get 6 watts per channel, which is 4 output tubes total, not 2. I hope that makes sense. That would be a bit more powerful, but it’s intriguing how 6 watts is not quite as more powerful than 2 or 3 than you would think. And I prefer the sound of ONE output tube per channel to TWO. . . that’s the focused magic of Steve’s oldest, most solidified design.
But we all have different rooms, anxiliary equipment, tastes etc. You have the upcoming advantage of being at the mothership and with the admiral to review options. That’s far more informative than I can be.
Counting down my demo days to Wednesday. From what I have read and been advised I am looking forward to hearing the SE84UFO2 25th Anniversary, or stepping up to the SE84UFO3 25th Anniversary Monoblocks. Not sure on speakers, which ultimately is what will or will not make this happen. I have had a handful of good suggestions including the Decware ZC10M, ZF15M, HRA or DNA 2. Possibly the Zu Audio Soul Supreme. Unfortunately no means to audition the latter locally. Thanks to those on this thread who have offered their advice.
Jealous!
Looking forward to hearing about your experience with the amps.
Zu has a liberal 60 day return policy with free return shipping 
Remind me in a week, I may forget, 
I am between SET and conventional. Undecided at this point, but like the idea of something totally different.
