Speakers for Zen

rgheck · 12th January 2007, 02:47 PM

I've been thinking about building one or another of the Zen amps but they seem to be somewhat demanding about the associated speakers. So I'm curious what speakers people like to use with these amps.

I should say that my current electronics are, in my main system, Aleph P, Aleph Ono, and Aleph 2s; the front end is a VPI HW-19 Mk IV/SAMA/SDS with a Graham 2.2 arm and Shelter 501. The secondary system is a Classe Five (soon to be replaced, I hope, by a Pearl and something) and Aleph 5, the front end being a VPI HW-19 Mk III/SAMA with a VPI JMW-10 arm and Benz cartridge.

I own a pair of Reference 3A DeCapo i's, which I bought (used) because so many people seem so fond of them. I don't personally care for them. I find them to be very light on the bottom end, both driven by the 5 and by the 2s. So I'm planning to get rid of those.

My current speakers, in the main system, are Thiel CS 1.6s. These are extremely efficient. Stereophile measured them at 94dB/1W, and I can believe it, as they play louder than the DeCapos for the same input. On the other hand, however, the 1.6s are nearly a flat 4ohm load, and a lot of the single-stage amps seem much to prefer an 8ohm load, from what I can tell. So they might work, but I'm wondering if something else might be better. That something else could happily live in the second system, presently populated with Thiel CS.5s, though I'm seriously thinking about 1.6s for there, too.

Anyway, thoughts appreciated.

Vix · 12th January 2007, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rgheck

My current speakers, in the main system, are Thiel CS 1.6s. These are extremely efficient. Stereophile measured them at 94dB/1W, and I can believe it, as they play louder than the DeCapos for the same input. On the other hand, however, the 1.6s are nearly a flat 4ohm load, and a lot of the single-stage amps seem much to prefer an 8ohm load

Build two Zen amps (or four monoblocks) and run them in parallel

(two blocks per channel)

It should work better on 4 ohm load.

Or, build a BIB with Fostex Fe166. It should be a good match.

Vix

neil_kaye · 12th January 2007, 03:50 PM

I just replaced my DIY Jordan 92's in a VTL enclosure, which were powered by gainclones ,with a ZU Druid. Everything i had read the druids are absolutley true. I am so thrilled and convinced by these speakers that i am in the process of completing a ZV9 to drive them.
So my suggestion adn hearty recommendation would be Druids.
I know that they are not DIY but they are exceptional value

Nelson Pass · 12th January 2007, 09:33 PM

I think the Druids work exceptionally well with ZV9 (well, actually
an F3). It is apparent that you need to beat them up for a week
or so with a higher power amp to loosen them up. I recommend
a really crappy amp for this so that the ZV9 will sound extra
glorious when you hook it up.

Zen Mod · 12th January 2007, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Nelson Pass
I think the Druids work exceptionally well with ZV9 (well, actually
an F3). It is apparent that you need to beat them up for a week
or so with a higher power amp to loosen them up. I recommend
a really crappy amp for this so that the ZV9 will sound extra
glorious when you hook it up.

12th January 2007, 02:47 PM	#1
rgheck diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Canton MA	Speakers for Zen I've been thinking about building one or another of the Zen amps but they seem to be somewhat demanding about the associated speakers. So I'm curious what speakers people like to use with these amps. I should say that my current electronics are, in my main system, Aleph P, Aleph Ono, and Aleph 2s; the front end is a VPI HW-19 Mk IV/SAMA/SDS with a Graham 2.2 arm and Shelter 501. The secondary system is a Classe Five (soon to be replaced, I hope, by a Pearl and something) and Aleph 5, the front end being a VPI HW-19 Mk III/SAMA with a VPI JMW-10 arm and Benz cartridge. I own a pair of Reference 3A DeCapo i's, which I bought (used) because so many people seem so fond of them. I don't personally care for them. I find them to be very light on the bottom end, both driven by the 5 and by the 2s. So I'm planning to get rid of those. My current speakers, in the main system, are Thiel CS 1.6s. These are extremely efficient. Stereophile measured them at 94dB/1W, and I can believe it, as they play louder than the DeCapos for the same input. On the other hand, however, the 1.6s are nearly a flat 4ohm load, and a lot of the single-stage amps seem much to prefer an 8ohm load, from what I can tell. So they might work, but I'm wondering if something else might be better. That something else could happily live in the second system, presently populated with Thiel CS.5s, though I'm seriously thinking about 1.6s for there, too. Anyway, thoughts appreciated.

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12th January 2007, 03:50 PM	#3
neil_kaye diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: San Francisco	I just replaced my DIY Jordan 92's in a VTL enclosure, which were powered by gainclones ,with a ZU Druid. Everything i had read the druids are absolutley true. I am so thrilled and convinced by these speakers that i am in the process of completing a ZV9 to drive them. So my suggestion adn hearty recommendation would be Druids. I know that they are not DIY but they are exceptional value

12th January 2007, 09:33 PM	#4
Nelson Pass The one and only Join Date: Mar 2001	I think the Druids work exceptionally well with ZV9 (well, actually an F3). It is apparent that you need to beat them up for a week or so with a higher power amp to loosen them up. I recommend a really crappy amp for this so that the ZV9 will sound extra glorious when you hook it up.