Help me Choose BW VS Zana Deus VS DNA Stratus

ok i have acquired the HD800S and have the yggdrasil I finally wanna go the end mile and go for the amp that will be my endgame am thinking between the 3

EC Black Widow
EC Zana Deus S
DNA Stratus

the blackwidow i was interested in as it is a amplifier is solidstate so the positives of that with a warm sound so thought that would be nice with the hd800S

Zana Deus S don't know much but heard its good with the hd800 and same for the DNA stratus

am torn help me need to decide

 

BW, simply. (or waiting CHead till 2017)

 

Don't know anything about the DNA but purrin said that BW is the warmest EC amp so I would pick that. Plus it's limited, and solid state.

 

@Gravity @mtoc thanks for your input but
reasons for picking black widow ?

 

Are you dead set on the HD800S as the sole can you want?

I asked the same question in the BW thread. @purrin told me the BW is pretty much on par with ZD/ZDSE. Which was in my experience top contender for pairing with HD800s.
Full conversation: http://www.superbestaudiofriends.or...ps-total-single-chassis.140/page-5#post-24315

Quote: If you know will be dedicated to HD600/650/800/800S, then ZDS for sure. @songmic used to own a ZDSE and picked up ZDS. With a good source, ZDS > BW. Deeper staging, more resolving, a lot more slam. BW ~= old ZDSE (better in some ways, worse in others.)

Since you have an Yggi. The argument for the much better ZDS seems a safe one. But this is specifically for high impedance Sennheisers. BW is better if you also carry orthos or want a more broad appeal.

I haven't heard BW or the new ZDS however. And I'm not sure you can order a Strauss nowadays?

 

dead set for now atleast the he1000 build quality made me run 2 broke down :/ plus HD800S clears the one problem i had which was siblance and adding abit more punch down low (from all the impressions)


@purrin senpai help decide between BW and Zana Deus S source is yggdrasil and HD800-S

 

I have got the same dilemma, but likely to go for a BW based on affordability. I am looking to drive my Audeze and Sennheisers which every EC model can do effortlessly and to supreme SQ. However, I really want a tube amp having just dumped the Mjolnir based on SS treble issues. Craig allowed me to host the ZDS at a Seattle meet and borrow the original BW right after so I have had a pretty good listen to both at home with my own gear. I am also familiar with his BA, 2a3, and original ZD and have to say that Craig works magic as they all sound better than they should. I have never heard one of his products that I did not love. IMO, you cannot go wrong with any Eddie Current product.

While the BW is an end game amp that is at or beyond the performance of the ROK IMO, it is still SS - although warm and tubey - and not as romantic as the ZDS with its glowing tubes in a dark room. Also IMO, the ZDS is a step up in performance for my tastes with a more tubey and involving sound definitely worth the additional cost. Tubes also have more versatility in dialing in your changing tastes rather than rolling amps. While the BW and especially the ZDs is good enough, having gotten a taste of Craig's 2a3 has really got me confused given the greater versatility of tube rolling. That is what got me interested in the Stratus. If money was no object, I would go immediately to the BA which would allow me the greatest versatility with 300b, 2a3, and 45. Unfortunately, even used Eddie Current products don't seem to fall to an affordable range.

@purrin, I have sold off most my old equipment and am about to place an order for the BW, but my only hesitation is the new BW single chassis design. I have been of the opinion that some of Craig's magic is the high end power supplies and separate chassis for isolation. The power supply I got with my original BW loaner seemed to be the same on used with the ZDS. Have you heard the new all-in-one design and can you speak to the SQ differences?

 

@Barra what were the specifics + and -ve's not looking at price and also what was your headphone of choice

 

If you're truly looking for "end game" with the HD800, the BW will probably leave you wondering "what might have been" with the Zana Deux.
And you don't want that.

 

Well the OP suggests he's looking for 1 of the 3 amps listed. Looks like the ZDS or Stratus would be the no-brainer in this situation, depending on subjective preferences between them.

edit: I plan on getting both-mainly to have a decent SS for the HD800 without having to run tubes all the time.

 

@purrin @velvetx your saying the BW hits harder on the bass? is that so that changes thing i like me some bass but purrin said ZD S hits harder more slam my music terms are shit does it mean something other than bass?

Music preference
I listen to the new stuff and house etc daft punk , atb Ecstasy and slow stuff like john legend etc

 

For the HD800S I'd pick the ZDS or the Stratus over the BW. The BW may be a bit warmer, but I'm sure you could get that back with the right tubes. The ZDS though has a certain sweetness and impact I much prefer. I imagine the Stratus as a 2A3 amp should be a fantastic match as well.

 

High imnpedance cans like the Senns - ZDS. Any ortho - BW. Enjoy and call us back in 2018.

 

So, in a world where you can only afford one of the two (ie, my world, right now) and have both senns AND orthos, presumably BW would do both justice? Or am I (and others that inhabit this world of Sophie's choice) better off with 2 more affordable amps, like the LC for orthos and the valhalla2 for senns???

 

I have the BW1. It works well with both my HD800's and my orthos. Paradox is a great match with the BW. IMHO. Audeze 2.2 really improves with the BW. I was going to sell them until I heard them with the BW. BW really is a versatile amp. My two cents.

 

Couldn't agree more. I've been wondering if I shouldn't have sold mine after hearing them with the BW.

 

ok i made my decision thanks a lot for your help guys! ZD S sounds really tempting but the downer being i would have to wait 2-3 months anyway after i order it to receive from what i saw on ec's site(if am wrong please correct me)

so decision being Black widow for now and trying to go to meets(never been to one) and trying the other options

Major Summary
1) torn between DNA and ZD S both double the price of BW though and would have had to wait as long for ZDS order to compete (am not really patient and it would have been a major bonus if for example it was a ready to ship right now XD) but again that makes this decision smarter as am not pigeon holing myself to ZDS or others as am gonna try going to meets

so deciding to get the BW now and go to meets and decide on end game or if any is even needed according to my preference

+ since BW is limited run or will probably get more expensive later i am sure i can get most of my money back if i decide to upgrade after hearing the others