Zu Omen mk2 (DW+)

plakey · « **on:** 4 Jan 2018, 11:07 pm »

I'd like to start a thread here on the Zu Omen mk2 (Dirty Weekend + Clarity Cap upgrade). I bought these wonderful speakers and I'm curious about amplifier matching. (I'm less interested in opinions on the speakers themselves... if you own them and love them, I'm curious what you run them with... if you don't like Zu speakers, this isn't the thread for you!)

I am encouraged to start this after reading the review of them by John Richardson... they started some back-and-forth on amp matching in the comments here but then it died off.

https://parttimeaudiophile.com/2017/07/29/mini-review-zu-audio-dirty-weekend-omen-version-ii/

In particular he runs them with Decware SE84UFO2 fronted by a LTA microZOTL2 preamp, or direct from a DAC.

I am currently running them with a vintage Luxman integrated that I've had refurbished and recapped, the L-450. I've also run them with a Line Magnetic 518ia. I prefer the Luxman in fact, but I'm still seeking to maximize the resolution on the speakers, retaining the "alive" sound while also coaxing soundstage holography and midrange magic.

Some amp thoughts I've curious about with the Zu: Eastern Electric minimax or M520; a First watt; someone here told me a Naim integrated sounded amazing; a chip amp (47 labs or Clones); Decware SE84UFO2 with and without a preamp; a solid state class A integrated

Any takers?

Cheers.

versus rider · « **Reply #1 on:** 5 Jan 2018, 03:38 pm »

I used to run my omen mk1 with PX24 monoblocks or 300B but I now use a Sony receiver STR6055 and the bass is better controlled. Valves are fine but bass control needs better damping you don't get with low output valves. I've always been a valve man and dismissed solid state until I tried the Sony. The phono stage is damn good too.

rodge827 · « **Reply #2 on:** 5 Jan 2018, 04:31 pm »

I have no experience with Zu but have been using the Digital Amplifier Company Stereo Maraschino with my Charney Audio Maestro. Detail in spades, great tonal balance, imaging, sound stage, deep controlled bass, and exceptional mid-range. Well worth the try with a high eff speaker.

http://www.cherryamp.com/stereo-maraschino-stm

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?board=174

mick wolfe · « **Reply #3 on:** 5 Jan 2018, 04:53 pm »

I've got Zu Dirty Weekend's and a Line Magnetic 218ia. Superb dynamics, powerful controlled bass with good synergy on all fronts.

ClefChef · « **Reply #4 on:** 5 Jan 2018, 06:49 pm »

I have Zu Omen original version, with upgraded caps and resistors.

I used it with Dared 2a3, then with Larry Moore 300b. As somebody mentioned before tubes have gorgeous midrange but have difficulty producing controlled bass.
At the moment I am running Zu with my custom Abacus TPA3116 - midrange comparable to that of 2a3 with much better bass.
Building TPA3250 and 3255 amps to see if improvements is SQ could be made.

I used tube amps for years, but went class D as the future lies there, in my opinion. Besides, here in the South the tube amplifier is inconvenient in the summer

I use my own John Broskie's Aikido preamp as well as Aikido Phono preamp.

AmpDesigner333 · « **Reply #5 on:** 5 Jan 2018, 11:15 pm »

Quote from: rodge827 on 5 Jan 2018, 04:31 pm

I have no experience with Zu but have been using the Digital Amplifier Company Stereo Maraschino with my Charney Audio Maestro. Detail in spades, great tonal balance, imaging, sound stage, deep controlled bass, and exceptional mid-range. Well worth the try with a high eff speaker.

http://www.cherryamp.com/stereo-maraschino-stm

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?board=174

There are lots of Zu owners with Maraschino amplifiers! Thanks for your post.

-Tommy O

plakey · « **Reply #6 on:** 6 Jan 2018, 03:00 pm »

Thanks guys for your input. I love hearing success stories. I think these speakers are pretty amazing, especially for the price. I'm enjoying them. I have never heard Class D or Chip Amps, I'm curious to give them a try!

rodge827 · « **Reply #7 on:** 6 Jan 2018, 04:27 pm »

I have had a few different class D amps and the DAC (Digital Audio Company) amps have the most “real” sound of them all. Other amps had a slight grain to the high end and sounded thin. The DAC amps are very clean and clear up top with a very natural sounding (more meat on the bones) presentation. I was expecting to not like the DAC amp but now I’m a believer!

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?board=174

plakey · « **Reply #8 on:** 8 Jan 2018, 05:29 pm »

A few things that I'm musing about trying out...

JOB 225 amp or JOB INT

Schiit Veda / Freya combo

Audio GD Precision3 amp
http://www.audio-gd.com/Pro/amp/Precision3/Precision3EN.htm

AmpDesigner333 · « **Reply #9 on:** 8 Jan 2018, 06:09 pm »

Quote from: plakey on 8 Jan 2018, 05:29 pm

A few things that I'm musing about trying out...

JOB 225 amp or JOB INT

Schiit Veda / Freya combo

Audio GD Precision3 amp
http://www.audio-gd.com/Pro/amp/Precision3/Precision3EN.htm

Have you heard of the MEGAschino? It's very new. Just released last week....
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=149935.0

-Tommy O

plakey · « **Reply #10 on:** 12 Jan 2018, 12:21 am »

Tommy, what do folks use as a preamp for your amps?

AmpDesigner333 · « **Reply #11 on:** 12 Jan 2018, 04:58 am »

Quote from: plakey on 12 Jan 2018, 12:21 am

Tommy, what do folks use as a preamp for your amps?

Check out these links....

Topic: Passive preamps
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=142870.0

Topic: Balanced output tube preamps
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=78819.0

Topic: P R E A M P S for DAC4800A and Cherry
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=79614.0

Topic: Preamps ---- Calling all DAC4800A and Cherry Amp owners !
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=103123.0

Thanks for your question.

-Tommy O

AmpDesigner333 · « **Reply #12 on:** 12 Jan 2018, 05:04 am »

Quote from: AmpDesigner333 on 12 Jan 2018, 04:58 am

Check out these links....

Topic: Passive preamps
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=142870.0

Topic: Balanced output tube preamps
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=78819.0

Topic: P R E A M P S for DAC4800A and Cherry
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=79614.0

Topic: Preamps ---- Calling all DAC4800A and Cherry Amp owners !
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=103123.0

Thanks for your question.

-Tommy O

A few more....

Topic: What pre amp do you use on the Cherry, Maraschino or Ultra power amps??
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=103123.0

Topic: dac cherry amp with musica bella lusso preamp
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=150695.0

Topic: Balanced Versus not Balanced
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=90960.0

genjamon · « **Reply #13 on:** 12 Jan 2018, 04:52 pm »

deleted

who?me? · « **Reply #14 on:** 16 Aug 2018, 07:06 pm »

I have the Omen Mark II bookshelves.
I would second your interest in the Eastern Electric tube Integrated.
Also the small Cherry Amps sound like a good mating.

The guy running the Dirty Weekends with the MicrZotl and the Decware seems like overkill for a pair of $1000 speakers, but to each their own.

I run 40w push-pull DIY tubed monos with my Omens, sound great, even with an old Luxman SS receiver from the early 90s.

In my Ref system, I replaced my Dynaudio floor standing speakers with the Omen Bookshelves. With Bel Canto 3.7 DAC AND BEL CANTO Ref500s Class D amp, 400w into 4 ohms, 800w into 8 ohm. Of course my Omens are 12 or 16 ohm.

Results? Sounded good, but too much emphasis in the midrange. But my Ref DAC, amp above are not geared toward 12/16 ohm speakers.

AvsFan · « **Reply #15 on:** 16 Aug 2018, 10:35 pm »

Quote from: ClefChef on 5 Jan 2018, 06:49 pm

I have Zu Omen original version, with upgraded caps and resistors.

I used it with Dared 2a3, then with Larry Moore 300b. As somebody mentioned before tubes have gorgeous midrange but have difficulty producing controlled bass.
At the moment I am running Zu with my custom Abacus TPA3116 - midrange comparable to that of 2a3 with much better bass.
Building TPA3250 and 3255 amps to see if improvements is SQ could be made.

I used tube amps for years, but went class D as the future lies there, in my opinion. Besides, here in the South the tube amplifier is inconvenient in the summer

I couldn't agree with you more. I own the DW's and am powering them with this $69 class D TPA3118

https://www.allo.com/sparky/volt-plus-stepped-attenuator.html

DO NOT discredit this amp because of it's $69 price tag. You will be blown away by it's performance.

I have owned everything from $1000 2channel integrated amps to the Decware SE84UFO. And the sound this little Class D amp makes is seriously impressive, I will put it up against a lot of other amps costing much, much more anytime.

I use my own John Broskie's Aikido preamp as well as Aikido Phono preamp.

AvsFan · « **Reply #16 on:** 16 Aug 2018, 10:48 pm »

But my vote is for Class D. Try it out. I mean it's $69 to see what you think.

OzarkTom · « **Reply #17 on:** 17 Aug 2018, 02:54 am »

Those chip amps are very excellent, I have owned several over the last 5-6 years. I could easily live with one if I had no other choice.. The DAC amps sounds like their bigger brother, more weigh, better clarity, more detail, and a bigger soundstage.

fredgarvin · « **Reply #18 on:** 17 Aug 2018, 03:05 pm »

Quote from: plakey on 8 Jan 2018, 05:29 pm

A few things that I'm musing about trying out...

JOB 225 amp or JOB INT

Schiit Veda / Freya combo

Audio GD Precision3 amp
http://www.audio-gd.com/Pro/amp/Precision3/Precision3EN.htm

The Audio-GD amp is very interesting, it caught me eye. It's certainly priced well for what the architecture is. Kingwa is known for his quality products. There is plenty of power to drive the DW's.

plakey · « **Reply #19 on:** 17 Aug 2018, 04:59 pm »

Thanks for reviving the thread! I have been using my Omen Mk 2 with a Luxman vintage SS amp from the early 80s. It sounds AWESOME. I really am very happy with the combo. These are great speakers.

Quote from: who?me? on 16 Aug 2018, 07:06 pm

I have the Omen Mark II bookshelves.
I would second your interest in the Eastern Electric tube Integrated.
Also the small Cherry Amps sound like a good mating.

The guy running the Dirty Weekends with the MicrZotl and the Decware seems like overkill for a pair of $1000 speakers, but to each their own.

I run 40w push-pull DIY tubed monos with my Omens, sound great, even with an old Luxman SS receiver from the early 90s.

In my Ref system, I replaced my Dynaudio floor standing speakers with the Omen Bookshelves. With Bel Canto 3.7 DAC AND BEL CANTO Ref500s Class D amp, 400w into 4 ohms, 800w into 8 ohm. Of course my Omens are 12 or 16 ohm.

Results? Sounded good, but too much emphasis in the midrange. But my Ref DAC, amp above are not geared toward 12/16 ohm speakers.