Zen 1-7 ranking....

[Skorpio]

I am concidering building a Zen amplifier. It seems simple to start a version 1 and the upgrade along the way until 7 and perhaps further....but:

Is the sound quality increasing by the numbers?
If not, where are the best performance?

E.g. the Zen-2 is simple, but in the zen-5 (push-pull) article the sound is decrribes as equilly to zen-2? Zen-5 is simpler, with no output capacitor....and don't current clip....

Zen-4 (alpeh source) gives more power, but is it outperformed by push-pull (5) with fewer components?

Anyone with some opions?

[till]

what speakers?

I like Zen lite best, of those i built.

[moe29]

it all depends on your skills / wants.

Zen 4 has PCB's you can order from PassDIY and Q-packs. An
excellent construction article too. You would have a very nice amp
if you complete that project.

The numbers don't correspond to any kind of rating.

One place to start, before spending a penny, would be to download
all the articles, print them out, and have a good read...
very educational

[Skorpio]

Thank you....

But all that have been done and the practical matters are of no consern...the one chosen will be hard-wired up.

But my aim is sound alone and 10W output.....is a fixed current source better than an Aleph source?

In teory is should be like this (my guess):


1. Return of Zen1 (because of fixed source and highest Iq)
2. Zen1(because of fixed source)
3. Zen2 (Aleph)
4. Zen5 (Push-pull)

The different powersupply concepts and the input buffer is regarded out of the example, because they can be seen as upgrades for alle above types....

The single-ended people (mostly tube neards), don't regard push-pull, and Aleph could be regarded as an in-between step between single-ended and push-pull?

[Nelson Pass]

From a purist point of view, some people might not like the
current source modulation of the Aleph, but it is easily
adjusted or eliminated, leaving a constant current source.

I also have a modulated current source which is voltage
dependent instead of current dependent, also adjustable.

The problem is that with a single stage and limited bias current,
you run into some fairly severe performance hits which are
very audible. Modulating the current source reduces these
artifacts by factors of 4 or better, and the difference is generally
pretty dramatic.

I've heard it all sorts of ways, and you have to have a really
efficient, high impedance load for the CCS to sound better.

I suggest you try it both ways, since changing a resistor is all
you have to do.

[Skorpio]

Than you, I take it as a ZenAleph for best compromise, regarding Zen1 as to low driving power....

And yes, it is easy to switch between both.....when Zen5 have been terminated :-)