[Rischa]

Just got my Decware CSP2+ preamp and thought I'd show it off. It replaces an Emotiva USP-1, and is my first tube component. I'm pairing it with an Odyssey Khartago amp, and they're driving Tekton Lores. Got the Decware to add some tubey goodness to my all all SS system, and now I'm set up for when I eventually get a tube amp. Thanks for looking!

Alex R.

[wilsynet]

And are you happy with the sound?

[Rischa]

And are you happy with the sound?

Absolutely! Decware recommends a 20-25 hour burn in period, and I've got about 10 on it so far, but right a way I noticed an improvement over the USP-1. I even spent about 45min going back and forth between the two preamps to make sure I wasn't imagining it. The CSP2+ is warmer for sure, and has a wider, deeper, more coherent sound-stage. I also think it makes my CD's sound closer to vinyl, which I tend to prefer sound quality-wise. I'm loving it!

The only draw-back is no phono-stage. My tt is a Rega RP3, so I'm thinking of getting a Rega Fono MM, or maybe a Cambridge Audio 651P (if anyone has a recommendation, lay it on me). I'd love to get the Decware phono preamp, but my wife would kill me if I spent the $1200. In the meantime, I'm getting reacquainted with my CD's.

[milford3]

Concrats on Decware.  And welcome to the tube world.  Many hours of enjoyment.  It's what this hobby is all about.   

[Rclark]

Pretty sweet looking setup. Which speakers are those?

Edit, nevm, Tekton, just never seen them with a grill. Cool  Which version of Lore?

[Rischa]

Pretty sweet looking setup. Which speakers are those?

Edit, nevm, Tekton, just never seen them with a grill. Cool  Which version of Lore?

Thanks, Rclark. Yep, I've got a three year old and a baby on the way, so had to get grills for the Lores. They're the straight Lores, the model down from the Lore-s.

[wilsynet]

The only draw-back is no phono-stage. My tt is a Rega RP3, so I'm thinking of getting a Rega Fono MM, or maybe a Cambridge Audio 651P (if anyone has a recommendation, lay it on me). I'd love to get the Decware phono preamp, but my wife would kill me if I spent the $1200. In the meantime, I'm getting reacquainted with my CD's.

I have owned the Jolida JD-9, the Ray Samuels Nighthawk, and the Jasmine LP 2.0 MK2.  Nothing very expensive, but all well regarded.

If you're looking for a $500 phono stage, I unreservedly recommend the Jolida JD-9.  And if you want to improve it through mods, there's plenty of opportunity to do that too -- although I've only listened to the stock unit and I thought it was really quite good.

[Rischa]

I have owned the Jolida JD-9, the Ray Samuels Nighthawk, and the Jasmine LP 2.0 MK2.  Nothing very expensive, but all well regarded.

If you're looking for a $500 phono stage, I unreservedly recommend the Jolida JD-9.  And if you want to improve it through mods, there's plenty of opportunity to do that too -- although I've only listened to the stock unit and I thought it was really quite good.

I'd considered the Jolida, but it seems to be a love it or hate it piece of gear. I'm leaning towards the Rega. They just revamped the Fono mm with a new case and circuitry especially for the RP series (whatever that means), so think I might give it a try.

[SteveFord]

You'll be able to do some tube rolling with the Jolida and make a power cord...
That's a very elegant looking preamp.

[Rischa]

For anyone who's curious, I have about 25-30 hours on the CSP2+, and I can't believe how great it's sounding. It's predacessor, a USP-1, sounded good as far as I could tell, but compared to the Decware, it's a paperweight. With the Decware, I'm on stage with the musicians instead of in the audience. The sound-stage is wide and enveloping, but I can clearly pick out the positions of the instrument around me. And the tone of the instruments, that's what really kills me. They have a round, full, singing (lots of adjectives, I know) quality that I didn't have before, especially woodwinds (sax is amazing). Bass is improved, too--tighter and more musical. I can pick out the notes of the bass line instead of just hearing a general thud. Not that the Emotiva's bass was thudding, it just wasn't as articulate. I'm enjoying my CD's as much as my vinyl now, which is great because I don't get buyer's remorse anymore when I look at my wall of CD's.

This is why this hobby is so exciting. Just when you think you have things about as good as you could want them, a piece of gear drops into your system that takes it to a completely new level.

Best,
Alex

[Lord Soth]

Hi Rischa,

Welcome to the wonderful world of Decware amps.

I own a CSP2+ too.

I can see that you are using the stock tubes with your amp.

Changing the 1 single tube in front and the rectifier have the greatest impact in improving the sound.

My tube configuration is currently

1x Lorenz PCC88
2x Siemens E188CC
1x Tung Sol 5Y3GT

Ever since I put in the Lorenz PCC88 in the input position, I have lost the will to tube roll any further.
It is superior to even the famed Siemens CCas.

Regards,

Soth

[fredgarvin]

You guys are giving me a jones. I've always thought that Decware was cool, but I thought I'd settled my preamp quest long ago when the IRD Purist beat out the Minimax. It's a good thing I'm cheap, maybe I can fight off the urge. 

[Rischa]

Hi Rischa,

Welcome to the wonderful world of Decware amps.

I own a CSP2+ too.

I can see that you are using the stock tubes with your amp.

Changing the 1 single tube in front and the rectifier have the greatest impact in improving the sound.

My tube configuration is currently

1x Lorenz PCC88
2x Siemens E188CC
1x Tung Sol 5Y3GT

Ever since I put in the Lorenz PCC88 in the input position, I have lost the will to tube roll any further.
It is superior to even the famed Siemens CCas.

Regards,

Soth

Thanks, Soth. I'll check out the Lorenz.

Actually, since I snapped those pics, I replaced the rectifier with an RCA 5U4GB. The stock tube sounded good through the speakers, but the tube itself had a mechanical ringing that was just loud enough for me to hear from my listening position.

I can't say how much of what I'm hearing is attributable to the switch (I didn't have much break-in time on the CSP2+ when I did it), but I did notice an improvement after putting the RCA tube in. Like I said, not sure if it's the tube or the break-in, but the SQ has improved. 

[Lord Soth]

Thanks, Soth. I'll check out the Lorenz.

Actually, since I snapped those pics, I replaced the rectifier with an RCA 5U4GB. The stock tube sounded good through the speakers, but the tube itself had a mechanical ringing that was just loud enough for me to hear from my listening position.

I can't say how much of what I'm hearing is attributable to the switch (I didn't have much break-in time on the CSP2+ when I did it), but I did notice an improvement after putting the RCA tube in. Like I said, not sure if it's the tube or the break-in, but the SQ has improved.

The Lorenz PCC88 I am referring to are the Stuttgart Germany variety.
They are very much different from the "SEL Lorenz" or "ITT Lorenz" which are widely available.
The entire internal structure (especially the getter support) is grey without any shiny parts.
This tube has a special 3D effect which surpasses the Siemens CCa Grey shields. You can "feel" the whole ambience/soundstage of the original recording.
You can also "feel" the effects of low end bass such as drums and the "air" of Japanese reed pipes for e.g.

For initial burn-in, Steve mentioned the method in his owner's manual. To alternate between play for 5 hrs and to rest it for another 5 hrs. After a couple of rounds of this, the sonics of the CSP2+ will improve drastically.

As for the rectifier,
A 5Y3 rectifier will run your 1x input tube and 2x driver tubes at 80v and 90v respectively.

A 5U4 Rectifier increase those voltages by 30v. It will run your 1x input tube and 2x driver tubes at 110v and 120v.
For a normal 6DJ8 valve, the max recommended operating voltage is 120v.

On the Decware forums, someone has already carried out an extensive tube roll for all possible types of recifiers. The conclusion was that the Tung Sol 5Y3 sounds the best.

The famous "skylab" of Head-fi forums also concluded that this amp works best with 5Y3 tube rectifers.

Hope this info is useful to you.

[Lord Soth]

You guys are giving me a jones. I've always thought that Decware was cool, but I thought I'd settled my preamp quest long ago when the IRD Purist beat out the Minimax. It's a good thing I'm cheap, maybe I can fight off the urge. 

If it makes you feel any better, on my audio rig, the CSP2+ sounds better as a headphone amp than as a preamp. 

I already have another tubed SE EL34 based tube amp for my speakers and they just seem to sound better ( as in better overall balance) when they are plugged directly to my Oppo-95 CD player.

Maybe I'm too attached to the sound from my SE EL34 integrated tube amp?

On the positive side, the CSP2+ is hum and hiss free even when turned on to the max.
When used as a preamp, it adds subtle dynamics and increased dimensionality to the sound. However, my integrated tube amp is a lone ranger and not a team player.

[finsup]

What's your impression of the figured wood base?

[nature boy]

Alex,

I am glad you like your CSP2+ preamp.  I hope you have the opportunity to hear it paired with a Decware SET amp and a pair of single-driver speakers like the Omega's.  I have a Decware SE84CS EX & Hazen Mods paired with an Eastern Electric Minimax preamp driving Omega Revolution speakers w/ 8" Alnico drivers.  It simply has transformed my listening experience.  As some point I will spring for a CSP2+ preamp. 

Steve Deckert's offerings seem under appreciated by many audiophiles.  I REALLY like his stuff.

NB

For anyone who's curious, I have about 25-30 hours on the CSP2+, and I can't believe how great it's sounding. It's predacessor, a USP-1, sounded good as far as I could tell, but compared to the Decware, it's a paperweight. With the Decware, I'm on stage with the musicians instead of in the audience. The sound-stage is wide and enveloping, but I can clearly pick out the positions of the instrument around me. And the tone of the instruments, that's what really kills me. They have a round, full, singing (lots of adjectives, I know) quality that I didn't have before, especially woodwinds (sax is amazing). Bass is improved, too--tighter and more musical. I can pick out the notes of the bass line instead of just hearing a general thud. Not that the Emotiva's bass was thudding, it just wasn't as articulate. I'm enjoying my CD's as much as my vinyl now, which is great because I don't get buyer's remorse anymore when I look at my wall of CD's.

This is why this hobby is so exciting. Just when you think you have things about as good as you could want them, a piece of gear drops into your system that takes it to a completely new level.

Best,
Alex

[Rischa]

What's your impression of the figured wood base?

I was a little apprehensive about the figured wood base when I placed my order, but I went with it because I thought it might be a good contrast to the aesthetics of the rest of my system, especially the Steelcase credenza you see in the pics. I was right, the more traditional look of the figured wood looks really cool amongst the sleekness of everything else, and make the set-up look more eclectic.

In and of itself, the figured wood base is well built and has a quality finish. I think it's a great match with the tubes. 

[Rischa]

Alex,

I am glad you like your CSP2+ preamp.  I hope you have the opportunity to hear it paired with a Decware SET amp and a pair of single-driver speakers like the Omega's.  I have a Decware SE84CS EX & Hazen Mods paired with an Eastern Electric Minimax preamp driving Omega Revolution speakers w/ 8" Alnico drivers.  It simply has transformed my listening experience.  As some point I will spring for a CSP2+ preamp. 

Steve Deckert's offerings seem under appreciated by many audiophiles.  I REALLY like his stuff.

NB

Thanks! I aspire to own the Zen Torii, but that will have to wait a few years I'm afraid. I would also love to hear Decware's new active speakers that have SET amps built right in to the base. I love the simplicity of that--just add a CD player with volume control and you're rockin'.

I agree that Steve is a great designer. One of the draws of the CSP2+ for me was it's heirloom value. This is a piece of gear that I can keep for a lifetime and pass down to my kids. Figure in the lifetime warranty and the fact that it's hand-built in the USA, and you've got something even more special.

[Douger]

Welcome to tubes, and Decware! I waited to respond until I had my Torii MkIII, and I brought it home yesterday afternoon... Steve, DeVon and Sarah are wonderful to work with! My amp was warmed up when I got there, and Steve told me it had 20-25 hours on it, then I listened for most of an hour. Last night it had a little roughness, not much, then this morning I played the IBE disc to help break in.  Now it is very smooth, and I  would be happy if it didn't get any better...
Congratulations on planning to get your Torii! Take care of your family first, and when you get the Torii you won't need any other more expensive addictions!
Best Regards