Warren, why did you sell your Caravelles and what did you gain with the Zus?

agear July 18, 2013 02:18

Oops I meant to post in the thread you posted about the iPod. I was looking to see what kind of gear you had and idavertently posted here.

ejlif December 29, 2012 23:08

:) thanks

warrenh December 29, 2012 19:04

Just get a wadia iPod dock and if your player has a digital input connect the RCA digital out of the wadia dock to the input of your player. If not then you will have to get a DAC to hook the wadia to. A benchmark DAC 1 is pretty good sounding and good bang for the buck total cost if you need a DAC is 150 for the wadia and 600 for the benchmark. Or get whatever DAC you like. This will give you as good a sound out of the iPod as you would get playing back the files from a computer. If the files are ripped at low quality though it will not sound as good but there is nothing you can do.

ejlif December 29, 2012 18:21

bored with the 'gon, but not my rig. still in sonic bliss and no itch to move on to the Definition 2s. thanks for asking.

warrenh November 16, 2007 17:57

Hey Warren, where'd ya go?

drubin November 16, 2007 13:23

Warren, I had always heard that changing out the tubes on the SET40 for NOS made a big difference, especially on the input side. I never had the chance and am now even regretting more.

I've been using a Blue Circle BC21 preamp with various NOS for years and can definitely say that WWII era 6SN7/VT231s are a huge improvement over stock. Incidentally, I was using this preamp with the SET40. The 6SN7 as you may know creates a rounder, fuller sound. I had always enjoyed this in front of solid state amps, but was very happy to find it worked well with the SET40. I can only imagine how well the SEP1 synergizes with the SET40. Must be great!

Have you swapped out the stock 845s? At least, unlike with 300Bs, you don't need to be the creators of YouTube to be able to afford a little 845 experimentation. Woohoo!

gunbei January 06, 2007 23:57

System edited: Stock pre amp and amp tubes were fair at best. Huge differences now with these new NOS babies. Too early to say how profound, but it's going to be fun finding out.

warrenh December 27, 2006 03:34

Nope, sold them to another 'goner, about a year ago. He's loving 'em, as I did....

warrenh December 26, 2006 15:19

Hi Warren - do you still have your Caravelles?
Thanks
Craig

saffy December 26, 2006 13:10

System edited: May have found nirvana. The Bel Cantos amp and pre are real sweet...the Zu Definitions are much more than I realized. 845 tubes are made for these speakers.

warrenh December 02, 2006 00:19

Don't know exactly, I'm new to tubedom. The input tubes last a lot longer than the output. If you don't get the answer on this thread, start your own. You'll get your answer. SET is remarkable with the Definitions.

warrenh May 14, 2006 18:10

Warren,

I am thinking of getting a system similar to yours. What is involved in the "long term" ownership of a tube amp like yours. Do tubes need to be replaced every so many years.....is there other things that need to be done? In short, are these amps only good for 5 or so years?.

csmithbarc May 14, 2006 14:10

It's sad, I think about it all the time. It's been well over a year for me and my system has not been stable for more than a month at most. I can't even get through a whole CD. I haven't even bought a new CD in years because I don't want to introduce a new "variable" into the experiment. : ^(

All I do is listen to the transients, the attack, the discreet voicings, soudstage, etc.

I even tried to get kicked off HeadFi this weekend.

pawlowski6132 May 01, 2006 16:16

This is my first foray with tubes, and my tube mentor has gotten me off to a great start. I'm sure the Definitions would sound grand with your Art Audio. I use KR KT88s. Don't get much better than that in the way of KT88s. As to the Exemplar and the Prima? What do you think? I loved the Prima, but didn't realize, until I purchased the Exemplar, how far I was behind the digital eight ball. The differences were heard seconds into my first cd. Have less than a dozen sacds and only one DVD-A...the Exemplar delivers the goods with them, as well.

warrenh April 15, 2006 03:40

Hi Warren,
Nice rig -- seems like you've been busy lately dropping your subs and YBA amp and Audio Aero Prima CD all for net new stuff. How does the Denon with Exemplar mods compare to the Audio Aero Prima CDP? By the way, have you ever considered a SET amp that uses the PX-25 tube? My high sensitivity speakers and Art Audio PX-25 amp are dynamite together and I'm certain the amp would rock those Zu Definition speakers. . . fwiw,
Cheers,
Kevin

kevinzoe April 15, 2006 00:44

Hi Warren,

Thanks for the info regarding the Audiopoints, I will be sure to give them a try. I know just how you feel about the ZU Definitions, I have had mine since mid-December '05 and having passed the critical 250 hour mark of high-powered solid state assault I am now enjoying maximum transparency, speed, dynamics and truth of timbre in combination with the "mouse that roared" the little Yamamoto A-08S with EML solid plate 45s. I am an analog guy but I do need a great digital source for those times when my favourite music shows up exclusively on a silver disc, you are obviously very happy with the Exemplar modded Denon player.

Enjoy,
Aaron

drajreynolds April 10, 2006 10:45

Warren,
It's been fun to follow your progress between two well thought out systems. Thanks for allowing us a glimpse into your personal audio realm and congrats on achieving success--again. Nice to see.
-Bill

mdhoover April 08, 2006 11:21

Aaron, I use 1.5s--the narrow ones. I forget the thread count, but Robert (of Starsound) would know it. Huge difference with the points. I called the Zuboys to let them know what nice differneces the Audiopoints made with the Definitions. They said that they would check them out, realizing that their spikes were really not that great. That was their words. Never had so much with a stereo rig since my Maggie days 30 years ago. These are just as exciting, but in different ways, of course. Buy they are "planar" fast, indeed. thanks for the nice words. peace, warren

warrenh April 08, 2006 10:23

Nice Warren...I'll bet those Zu's got you doin back flips. Never heard them, but have HEARD of them and i'll bet they'll tear it up...The set up looks quite enjoyable. Congrats! Brent

knollbrent April 08, 2006 02:59

Hi Warren,

My compliments on a very nice system indeed, particularly your choice of loudspeakers and cables ;-) May I ask what model of Audiopoints you found to be most suitable for use under the ZU Definitions? Many thanks for your help and enjoy the music.

Sincere Regards,
Aaron

drajreynolds April 08, 2006 00:47