[Frederick Joan]

Hi there my name is Frederick Joan and I am looking for some advice regarding DYI version of the DECWARE Zen Triode Amplifier, the SE84UFO. I was considering ordering one but then I found out that I had to pay the full amount upfront and than wait for a full year delivery time before I could expect it to be shipped to the Netherlands where I live. When you live in the USA you will first only pay 10% upfront and the rest is due at the time of shipment. That sounds reasonable so I don't think DECWARE likes customers outside of the USA...?

Anyway, I thought the amp is rather expensive and overhyped after it showed up at some well known influencing YouTubers. And besides I like DIY projects. So who can recommend me the best DIY version with the best components?

Thanks, Frederick

[FullRangeMan]

Hi there my name is Frederick Joan and I am looking for some advice regarding DYI version of the DECWARE Zen Triode Amplifier, the SE84UFO. I was considering ordering one but then I found out that I had to pay the full amount upfront and than wait for a full year delivery time before I could expect it to be shipped to the Netherlands where I live. When you live in the USA you will first only pay 10% upfront and the rest is due at the time of shipment. That sounds reasonable so I don't think DECWARE likes customers outside of the USA...?

Anyway, I thought the amp is rather expensive and overhyped after it showed up at some well known influencing YouTubers. And besides I like DIY projects. So who can recommend me the best DIY version with the best components?

Thanks, Frederick

You will need a Scott Kilmer to evaluate these components, the ''best'' is a personal preference, best in what sense? Sound quality, reliability, low price...

Not to mention this 3W amp will need a speaker 100dB or more sensitivity to perform well, certainly you will be better served with a 6W EL34 Single Ended or if you want low priced tubes and military reliability you would order a GU50 or a 6C33 (10-12W) amp to a capable builder.

If before the purchase they are treating you like this imagine how they will addressing you after the purchase... this is a hard sell, you dont need buy a kit amp overseas and pay expensive shipment and Customs Duties, contact your compatriot Martin Mug to assembly a amp for you or Ogonovski in Poland.
http://www.ogonowski.eu/amplifiers/edis/

If you dont mind use a nice Mosfet amp see this:
https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=179626.0
It is yet a Single Ended amp just 1 transistor at output Class A to 20-25W, monoblock status, very inexpensive kit easy to assemble, no expensive tubes here each output Mosfet cost $3usd each.

[opnly bafld]

If before the purchase they are treating you like this imagine how they will addressing you after the purchase...

You speculate on a lot of things.....  , but to comment on a company's customer service when you have no clue....

[opnly bafld]

There are a few schematics around to build from, just note that some have mistakes like resistor value.
Note also that sourcing transformers might take some months due to build lead times.

[roscoe65]

I have a Zkit board sitting around that I was going to build into a DIY Zen amp.  I don’t believe you can buy the complete kit.

[planet10]

You can do better than the Decware. We started there and thru 7 iteratins built a considerably better amp. diyaudio.com has a thread on the subject i believe.

I would recommend starting by looking at the Scade feedback SE amps, the RH84 the most prominant but can be improved.

dave

[FullRangeMan]

EL84 delivery only 2W in Triode its not worth the effort to this final result IMO, it will need a 100dB or more speaker and bening impedance.

[opnly bafld]

FWIW I have owned and heard a lot of 2 watt amps, never needed 100dB speakers.

A friend has an SE84 with La Scalas, they can easily go destroy your hearing loud. 

[Ericus Rex]

This is from Sarah at Decware concerning international orders.  Cut and pasted from their forum.

"International orders can pay a 10% deposit, same as US. Steve will be updating the policy online due to our lead time. As long as you checkout with a credit or debit card, you will be charged 10%. If you checkout with PayPal, it will automatically authorize the total amount.

Hope this helps!

Sarah"

Why not make a point to point version based on the schematic?  I did and I enjoy the amp.  Be sure to use the 2021 schematic as the 2019 has many errors.

[JLM]

Tried running an older 2 wpc SE84 into my 90 dB/w/m, 8 ohm, 30-20,000 single driver (Fostex F200a) loudspeakers and it didn't do well at all.  OTOH my 7 wpc class T amp did remarkably well.  An original 6 wpc SE34 did much better but had sloppy bass and terrible intermittent noise fresh from a factory repair.  That's when I gave up on Decware.

[FullRangeMan]

Tried running an older 2 wpc SE84 into my 90 dB/w/m, 8 ohm, 30-20,000 single driver (Fostex F200a) loudspeakers and it didn't do well at all.  OTOH my 7 wpc class T amp did remarkably well.  An original 6 wpc SE34 did much better but had sloppy bass and terrible intermittent noise fresh from a factory repair.  That's when I gave up on Decware.

There was a complaining of noise problems a few weeks ago on a pre-amp, worth note that this brand dont use aluminium table but thin cheap steel which is magnetic:
https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=179229.0