[ivo]

Hi to all!

I' m using Melody i2a3 integ. amp with my Zu Druids wich is quite good, but with Hard rock and Heavy metal is a bit edgy for my taste.
Any tips are welcome.

Regards,
Ivo

[miklorsmith]

I used a couple of Red Wine Clari-T amps on my Druids and they were excellent.  I'm now using his 70.2s on my Definitions and they're a terrific combination.  Though the Druids will make good sound on a couple of watts, if you want to crank them, they'd like more.

[zybar]

Atma-Sphere M-30 stereo amp or M-60 mono blocks.

Nothing else sounds like OTL's.

George

[jrebman]

Boy, that Melody would be an ideal candidate in my book, and I'm really sensitive to harsh high freqs.  Are you using the latest drivers/crossovers for the Druids?  What cables are you using?  What 2A3s have you tried in the amp?

Personally, I'd start with tweaks and upgrades long before looking for a different amp.

If you're set on a new amp, there are about a zillion great choices.  What's your budget?

-- Jim

[Mariusz]

Melody is A+ for Zu.
I would look into top Zu cables.
Also - hearing Zus with cheap T-amps made me wonder how would they sync with RWA????

Mariusz

[ivo]

Thanks for responce guys!

I m using Zu libtec speaker cable , gede interconect, bok power cable en moded Marantz Cd 94,
en Garrard 401 with Sme 3009, shure v15 in Loricraft clone plinth and Ear 834p phono.
Melody is with Sovtek valves.

regards,

ivo

[dspringham]

I running a Red Wine Sig 30.2 Integrated with my Druids (which have the Zu Signature Tweeter and network upgrade with Mundorf silver paper in oil cap) and it sounds very nice - along the warm and full (but not fuzzy) end of the spectrum with lots of resolution. Highs are sweet and detailed with absolutely no harshness or stridency and the bass is tight, articulate and abundant. Compared to my Wyetech Labs SET monos the only thing missing with the Red Wine is that slight extra hint of "air" and holography. Oh yes, I also run a Zu Mini Method sub.

I think the "Wine" is a great mate for the Druids providing many of the attributes of the best SET's with the extra grunt and headroom of high current SLA battery power (not to mention absolutely "zero" noise on the high efficiency driver utilized in the Druid design). On occasion I still enjoy throwing in the Wyetechs for that last bit of tube "wetness" and air, however I think I could ultimately live with the Sig 30.2 alone with the addition of Vinnie's new Isabella 6922 based battery powered preamp supplying the requisite tube holography for a completely noise-free "off the grid" amplification chain.

Dave

[TONEPUB]

You might try rolling some tubes in those Melodies before you make
up your mind...

The Chinese tubes they come with are pretty harsh.  A couple hundred
bucks worth of tubes will make all the diff in the world, you might be
happy right there!

[Mariusz]

RWA amp with pre is awesome for the right system but if you like what you have right now, I would try to fine-tune the system first before taking unnecessary risk.

Few options to concider, would be:
-different ICs or PC
-tube rolling (like more neutral JJ 2A3)
-room treatments
-toe-in
-voicing other components ( seems like you have tried to voice your system more on the warm side. ( It is OK.......especially with Zu speakers but it might be a bit to much)
- or contact Bob Backert of RHB Sound Dezign. You won't believe the dynamics, bass, articulation and air after he is done with your Melody.

Good Luck

Mariusz

[macrojack]

I've used An RSA Signature 30, an ASL Orchid, Rowland Capri/102/PC-1, Pass Aleph 30with Eastern Electric Mini-Max, Rowland Concerto pre with 201 monos and the Melody I2A3 with my Druids, my Definition Pros and my current Presence. Nothing has mated as well to date as the Audio Mirror 20 watt monos with the Audio Mirror T-61 preamp. Everything listed above was wonderful. No complaints anywhere but the Audio Mirror stuff really stands out.

[santacore]

I too own a Melody I2A3 and don't think it's harsh with the speakers I've tried. Mine has stock Sovteks 2A3's, but vintage 6SN7's. I seem to remember reading that the Sovteks are a bit harsh, but that Melody had done a great job balancing them out. Perhaps try swapping out the input tubes to smooth out the sound.

[TONEPUB]

good call on the 6SN7's....

That's worked wonders in a few amps I've tried too.

[jhm731]

With a frequency response like this:

http://www.soundstagemagazine.com/measurements/zucable_druid/

I suggest you look for an amp with tone controls.

[boead]

Decware Model TABOO

http://www.decware.com/newsite/TABOO.htm

[miklorsmith]

Those frequency response plots were done with the speakers hanging in free air, i.e. bottom vent unloaded.  Anybody with any experience with Druids knows 1/4" difference in that floor gap makes a huge difference in bass response.  This would be akin to randomly porting a tuned, sealed enclosure.  Duh.  Supposedly Zu complained and the reply was "this is just how we do it".

This has been covered more times on the forums than I can count.

[jrebman]

Thanks, Mike.  Anybody who's actually ever heard them knows that plot is absurd.

-- Jim

[chadh]

How about this one (advertised right here on Audio Circle)?

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=59028.0

As a happy owner of one of Roger's single ended EM7 amps, I'd happily recommend just about anything the man designed.

Chad

[ivo]

Thanks for replys,

Actuly problem is solved. Melody wil stay, the problem was Mana stands wich i put
under Zu some months ago and then sounded ok to me, but then i changed standard
cables with Zu inter. and power cords after that it became little edgy, now without
Mana stands it sounds more natural and smooth again and more musical.

Regards,
Ivo

[loxllxol]

Decware Model TABOO

http://www.decware.com/newsite/TABOO.htm

Has anyone used this amp with the druids?  Looks interesting.