Loaner: Decware Zen Taboo mkIV headphone/speaker amp

Discussion in 'Closed Loaners' started by ChaChaRealSmooth, Jan 21, 2022.

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  1. Souldriver

    Souldriver Almost "Made"

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    Oh, that is not a knock on your picture. There is just some extra little nuance and warmth that no photo can fully capture.
     
  2. atomicbob

    atomicbob dScope Yoda

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    @Souldriver : no worries. The amp is much more beautiful than that quick photo depicts. The Taboo definitely deserves a better picture which I hope to achieve.

    General update:
    The OTK 6n15n tubes are measuring oddly. When I replaced the right channel with an EH EL84, then the left channel distortion rose to nearly the same level as the right channel measurements shown in the previous post here .

    Replacing both OTK with a matched pair of EH EL84 gave this result:
    20221014 Taboo mkiv EH EL84 distortion FFT Bal in Bal out 300R 0dBu t4.png
    This looks as expected. Listening evaluation also going well now. A rich auditory experience.
     
  3. MellowVelo

    MellowVelo Friend

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    @ChaChaRealSmooth is there any chance that I can participate in this loaner after @atomicbob? I live in Chicago, so I’m near the final destination at Decware in East Peoria, IL. Thanks for considering.
     
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  4. atomicbob

    atomicbob dScope Yoda

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    Measurements and review posted here

    The TL;DR version:
    I like this amp a lot. Had I not gone the EC Studio B route, this might have been my second choice.
    It has a special synergy with HE-500 that had me listening to my HE-500 more in two weeks than in ten years.
     
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    Last edited: Jan 7, 2023
  5. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    I got this loaner from Steve Deckhert and need to clear this with him. He just emailed me a bit concerned because we hav had this loaner for a whole year and he wants it back. I will ask him if one more person near him is ok, but can you be sure to post impressions?

    Cheers
     
  6. MellowVelo

    MellowVelo Friend

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    I will surely post impressions. I also understand if Steve wants it back. Keep me posted.
     
  7. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    @atomicbob please ship the amp to @MellowVelo next. Please coordinate via pm.

    Steve replied and said it's ok to send the amp to one more person. :)
     
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  8. atomicbob

    atomicbob dScope Yoda

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  9. penguins

    penguins Friend, formerly known as fp627

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    I somehow missed this and would like to participate after MellowVelo if possible
     
  10. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    I think tentatively yes, you can. I still haven't gotten a return address from Steve for the Taboo, so for now go ahead. But we have had the amp for a year so we need to finish the tour up. But your impressions would be invaluable. So I'd like to include you.
     
  11. penguins

    penguins Friend, formerly known as fp627

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    Thanks RD.

    Also, if they need it back right now after a WHOLE year - no problem at all. Otherwise, 3-5 days should be enough.
     
  12. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    ok. I don’t want to push it with Steve I’ll just make the executive decision that your impressions will be worth it to us and to him.

    so @MellowVelo send the Taboo to @penguins after you’re done and @penguins I’ll pm you Decware’s address for after you’re done. A week should be ok.

    Cheers everyone thank you for a great loaner! :)
     
    Last edited: Jan 12, 2023
  13. MellowVelo

    MellowVelo Friend

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    Package received from @atomicbob. I’ll set it up later this week, probably on Wednesday.
     
  14. MellowVelo

    MellowVelo Friend

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    I have returned the amp to Decware. The loaner tour is now complete. Here is the note that I included in the box.

    IMG_2335.JPG
     
  15. atomicbob

    atomicbob dScope Yoda

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    Should also point Steve to measurements and impressions on SBAF.
     
  16. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    I sent Steve an email with a link to
    • your measurements
    • the impressions thread
    • this loaner thread
    • A link to the homepage when his Taboo measurements were the first featured article on the front page

    :)
     
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