Questions on Pass Zen and First Watt

Jolojl · 5th November 2006, 10:29 AM

Hi!

I have some pretty basic questions on DIY products, the Zen amps and the "quitchen-table" commercial product First Watt 3

Ever since I read the 6Moon review of First Watt 3 I've been very curious about the FW3 amp. If I understand the statement of Nelson Pass at http://www.firstwatt.com/watts_new.htm correct, if one wants an F3 but can't afford it one should look at a Zen 9 amp. And while the F1s and F2s are current source amps and should not be used with regular crossovers, the F3 is a voltage source amp and works with all kind of speakers.

1) I'm not a DIY person, I simply don't have the time, tools or knowledge. My first question is therefore if it's customary to have amplifiers built by DIY persons here on the Forum. If that is the case, how much would it approximately cost to get a Plug n' Play Zen 9 amp through this forum?

2) My second question is how the sound of the various Zen amps compare. I might have the possibility to get hold of a Son of Zen with a Bride of Zen pre-amp. Has anyone experience of both the Son of Zen amp and the Zen 9 amp? And is it possiblbe to give a short indication as to how they compare in sound?

3) As to the pre-amp Bride of Zen: would it mate with the Zen 9 amp? And would it mate with other regular power amps?

Thanks for your time and patience!

Johan

Babowana · 5th November 2006, 04:24 PM

1) Don't try to make it yoself. Ask price to PaPa.

2) Waste of electricity? I don't know. But, the sound will kill you. Commercial products? Put it off.

3) Balanced Zen Line Stage is better than Bride of Zen.

Good Luck,

tschrama · 5th November 2006, 04:51 PM

I have more the feeling that the Zen-project are published the do-it-yourself enthousiasts... and actually not meant the bought from someone as a product.. besides I haven't such offerings like that, allthough is more common to see part-kits offers.. like the Pass phono stage...

I would recommend building it your self... it's highly satisfying... and with proper planning before (!) you actually start building, iot won't even take that much time..

goodluck,
Thijs

Ryssen · 5th November 2006, 05:02 PM

Quote:

I would recommend building it your self... it's highly satisfying...

Is there a PCB and a schema sommewhere?

Jolojl · 6th November 2006, 02:35 PM

Hi! Thanks for feedback!

Babowona
Rest assured, will not try it myself at the moment, maybe in the future, but I'll start with a gainclone I think

I'm not sure however I understand your reference to PaPa. I couldn't find him in the members' list. Do you have any contact info?

tschrama
I understand it's a DIY thing... It's just that I'm curious but not skilled enough... And maybe someone has more than one Zen 9 at home, or wants to build another one...

Ryssen: tjena!

Would appreciate any comments on sound differences between the Son of Zen and Zen 9 if possible

Johan

Babowana · 6th November 2006, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jolojl

I'm not sure however I understand your reference to PaPa. I couldn't find him in the members' list. Do you have any contact info?

Don't you know PaPa?
I think he is older than me . . . one or two years I think.
Maybe opposite . . . ?

He is one of most famous members here.
His nick name is "The one and only".
His real name is Nelson Pass.

PS. Choky calls him PaPa . . . I learned it from Choky . . .

Jolojl · 6th November 2006, 05:39 PM

Got me, Babowana! The thought did cross my mind but I quickly dissmised it

Still don't really understand what you meant though...

Johan

Ryssen · 6th November 2006, 09:14 PM

Quote:

He is one of most famous members here.

Quote:

His nick name is "The one and only".

Quote:

His real name is Nelson Pass.

Well he if anyone should know if there´s a schema.

or a pcb..

Raoul · 6th November 2006, 09:28 PM

Hello Ryssen,

The schematic and full article for the Zen V9 can be found at Nelson's DIY site, located here:

www.passdiy.com

I believe Veteran (diyAudio Handle) has organized group buys for the Zen V9 PCB. You might search around in the Pass Labs forum for more information.

Hope this helps.

icewall · 7th November 2006, 06:57 AM

Yes, I know of at least two people that has bougt pcb:s from veteran:s set of boards. So my advice is - contact him....

As of building stuff yourself, it's not just great fun but I have found out that you learn as you go. Careful planning is the key! And help is often not more than an email away.

If you haven't alreday done so, check out hififorum.nu - that's where I started

5th November 2006, 10:29 AM	#1
Jolojl diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2006	Questions on Pass Zen and First Watt Hi! I have some pretty basic questions on DIY products, the Zen amps and the "quitchen-table" commercial product First Watt 3 Ever since I read the 6Moon review of First Watt 3 I've been very curious about the FW3 amp. If I understand the statement of Nelson Pass at http://www.firstwatt.com/watts_new.htm correct, if one wants an F3 but can't afford it one should look at a Zen 9 amp. And while the F1s and F2s are current source amps and should not be used with regular crossovers, the F3 is a voltage source amp and works with all kind of speakers. 1) I'm not a DIY person, I simply don't have the time, tools or knowledge. My first question is therefore if it's customary to have amplifiers built by DIY persons here on the Forum. If that is the case, how much would it approximately cost to get a Plug n' Play Zen 9 amp through this forum? 2) My second question is how the sound of the various Zen amps compare. I might have the possibility to get hold of a Son of Zen with a Bride of Zen pre-amp. Has anyone experience of both the Son of Zen amp and the Zen 9 amp? And is it possiblbe to give a short indication as to how they compare in sound? 3) As to the pre-amp Bride of Zen: would it mate with the Zen 9 amp? And would it mate with other regular power amps? Thanks for your time and patience! Johan

7th November 2006, 06:57 AM	#10
icewall diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Umeå	Yes, I know of at least two people that has bougt pcb:s from veteran:s set of boards. So my advice is - contact him.... As of building stuff yourself, it's not just great fun but I have found out that you learn as you go. Careful planning is the key! And help is often not more than an email away. If you haven't alreday done so, check out hififorum.nu - that's where I started __________________ - nerver stop exploring -

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
DIY Low Pass and Mid/High Pass (Bass Blocking) Filters	runslikealpaca	Everything Else	1	19th June 2009 10:59 PM
Questions on BB1794 and AD1865 input to Rudolf Broertjes' and Pass D1 output stages	Jolojl	Digital Source	0	14th April 2008 10:25 PM
Few Really Quick Pass Amp Questions	JPeitzman	Pass Labs	30	17th September 2007 08:54 PM
pass 20 watt class a	amp-guy	Pass Labs	1	17th October 2004 09:38 AM
Questions about how to decrease the PASS A-40 amplifier into a class AB amplifier.	novtango	Pass Labs	2	21st October 2002 01:50 AM

New To Site?	Need Help?
Register to Participate Search Privacy Statement Contact Us	Frequently Asked Questions Did you forget your password? Mark Forums Read


	Please consider donating to help us continue to serve you. Ads on/off / Custom Title / More PMs / More album space / Advanced printing & mass image saving

5th November 2006, 04:24 PM	#2
Babowana Formerly "jh6you". R.I.P. Join Date: Jul 2006	1) Don't try to make it yoself. Ask price to PaPa. 2) Waste of electricity? I don't know. But, the sound will kill you. Commercial products? Put it off. 3) Balanced Zen Line Stage is better than Bride of Zen. Good Luck,

5th November 2006, 04:51 PM	#3
tschrama diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: The Netherlands	I have more the feeling that the Zen-project are published the do-it-yourself enthousiasts... and actually not meant the bought from someone as a product.. besides I haven't such offerings like that, allthough is more common to see part-kits offers.. like the Pass phono stage... I would recommend building it your self... it's highly satisfying... and with proper planning before (!) you actually start building, iot won't even take that much time.. goodluck, Thijs

6th November 2006, 02:35 PM	#5
Jolojl diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2006	Hi! Thanks for feedback! Babowona Rest assured, will not try it myself at the moment, maybe in the future, but I'll start with a gainclone I think I'm not sure however I understand your reference to PaPa. I couldn't find him in the members' list. Do you have any contact info? tschrama I understand it's a DIY thing... It's just that I'm curious but not skilled enough... And maybe someone has more than one Zen 9 at home, or wants to build another one... Ryssen: tjena! Would appreciate any comments on sound differences between the Son of Zen and Zen 9 if possible Johan

6th November 2006, 05:39 PM	#7
Jolojl diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2006	Got me, Babowana! The thought did cross my mind but I quickly dissmised it Still don't really understand what you meant though... Johan

6th November 2006, 09:28 PM	#9
Raoul diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: OR	Hello Ryssen, The schematic and full article for the Zen V9 can be found at Nelson's DIY site, located here: www.passdiy.com I believe Veteran (diyAudio Handle) has organized group buys for the Zen V9 PCB. You might search around in the Pass Labs forum for more information. Hope this helps.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)