DECWARE SE84UFO REVIEW

[artto]

Since I started this post, I'm going to throw a stone into the wheel. Sort of a very brief mini preview of what's coming next.

 

I recently purchased a NAD M66 preamp and NAD M23 power amp.

 

The NAD M23 is, for me, very likely an end game. More later.............

[billybob]

13 hours ago, artto said:

Since I started this post, I'm going to throw a stone into the wheel. Sort of a very brief mini preview of what's coming next.

 

I recently purchased a NAD M66 preamp and NAD M23 power amp.

 

The NAD M23 is, for me, very likely an end game. More later.............

Cool...

[jwc]

https://www.audiophilia.com/reviews/2023/6/11/49fkfmqfnubr67p4v3hwqf1mmlipym

[jcmusic]

I had one of these and loved it in the beginning but, as it started to settle down the sound quality changed

and I didn't like it as much so I sold it....

[Idontknow]

I sold my SE84UFO because I preferred the warmer, relaxed sound of Kenny Russell's ST35 and it had a noticeably bigger soundstage plus additional power to boot. 

[82 Cornwalls]

1 hour ago, Idontknow said:

I sold my SE84UFO because I preferred the warmer, relaxed sound of Kenny Russell's ST35 and it had a noticeably bigger soundstage plus additional power to boot. 

 

The one you sold a long time ago or did you get another?

[Idontknow]

Yea the one I had. It was a very nice amp. I just prefer the ST35. 

[mark1101]

On 2/17/2023 at 11:29 PM, mark1101 said:

I have 2 on order since last April.  Maybe this Xmas if I'm lucky.   Ha.

 

Well after 2 1/2 years (April 10, 2022) I finally received my two SE84UFO amps today.  I just unboxed them a few minutes ago and have not listened to them at all yet.  I will get to it.

[Klipsch104db]

Been glowing since July 2016. Only took 3 months to build back then. 

[jjptkd]

On 10/19/2024 at 11:40 AM, mark1101 said:

Well after 2 1/2 years (April 10, 2022) I finally received my two SE84UFO amps today.  I just unboxed them a few minutes ago and have not listened to them at all yet.  I will get to it.

 

 

Any update? Was it worth the wait? If I had ordered these when I was considering them I'd have them now too.. 😱

[mark1101]

On 11/3/2024 at 10:04 AM, jjptkd said:

 

Any update? Was it worth the wait? If I had ordered these when I was considering them I'd have them now too.. 😱

 

I was lucky to have ordered two.  I am using them on lascalas and using only one in stereo was simply not enough (for me).  I could make it distort and clip too easily.  However, using two as monoblocks works fine for me.  At the moment I am using a line stage NBS preamp.  Honestly, these have sort of given my NBS new life and I am enjoying that.  These little amps are clearer sounding than my VRDs and have a much bigger soundstage.  They don't have near the power, but they have plenty enough as monoblocks.  I have not found the limits as monoblocks yet.

 

I never had a set amp.  So the dynamics, 3D soundstage, and especially the coherence of sound from these little amps are kind of impressive to me.  The clarity is very good.  The sound is engaging and what I really need to make this be excellent is one of Roy's new horn subs.  These little amps put out some very clear and pounding bass.  But the lascalas just can't dig low enough for me at times.

 

I doubt I would ever try to use these little amps on the top horns of UJs or in any large system like that.  I think they are great, actually made to order, for the Khorn on down.  But for me.........I need a sub.

 

I'm so used to listening to UJ with subs, and my MCM with subs, that anything with less bass........is WAY less bass.

 

I have about 10 hours on these amps, and they both do exactly the same thing.  They have a faint hum.  Very faint with my ear at the lascala bass bins.  I tried a few things.  Rolled some tubes, changed interconnects, tried cheater plugs.  They freakin hum.  Period.  My 60 year old HH Scott LK-72 is quieter.  I have to say that honestly it hasn't mattered at all though.  But it does bother my nervosa that it exists and these are brand new.  I read that this is what they do. So I sort of expected it.  

 

I already ordered a bunch of new tubes for them as well.  I ran into a bad input tube after about 6 hours.  Decware has been no help to date after I put in a trouble report.  I probably will end up eating it.  These things are very receptive to tube rolling.  I have been using some different NOS 6922s from my stash and enjoying the results.

 

My recommendation is that if you like these little set amps DO NOT order a Decware unless you are OK waiting years for it.  I would find something similar that you can have next week and try that.  If you can find a Decware for sale now, I'd definitely give that a try.  I'd buy mine again if I didn't have to wait.

[Klipsch104db]

On 11/4/2024 at 3:40 PM, mark1101 said:

 

I was lucky to have ordered two.  I am using them on lascalas and using only one in stereo was simply not enough (for me).  I could make it distort and clip too easily.  However, using two as monoblocks works fine for me.  At the moment I am using a line stage NBS preamp.  Honestly, these have sort of given my NBS new life and I am enjoying that.  These little amps are clearer sounding than my VRDs and have a much bigger soundstage.  They don't have near the power, but they have plenty enough as monoblocks.  I have not found the limits as monoblocks yet.

 

I never had a set amp.  So the dynamics, 3D soundstage, and especially the coherence of sound from these little amps are kind of impressive to me.  The clarity is very good.  The sound is engaging and what I really need to make this be excellent is one of Roy's new horn subs.  These little amps put out some very clear and pounding bass.  But the lascalas just can't dig low enough for me at times.

 

I doubt I would ever try to use these little amps on the top horns of UJs or in any large system like that.  I think they are great, actually made to order, for the Khorn on down.  But for me.........I need a sub.

 

I'm so used to listening to UJ with subs, and my MCM with subs, that anything with less bass........is WAY less bass.

 

I have about 10 hours on these amps, and they both do exactly the same thing.  They have a faint hum.  Very faint with my ear at the lascala bass bins.  I tried a few things.  Rolled some tubes, changed interconnects, tried cheater plugs.  They freakin hum.  Period.  My 60 year old HH Scott LK-72 is quieter.  I have to say that honestly it hasn't mattered at all though.  But it does bother my nervosa that it exists and these are brand new.  I read that this is what they do. So I sort of expected it.  

 

I already ordered a bunch of new tubes for them as well.  I ran into a bad input tube after about 6 hours.  Decware has been no help to date after I put in a trouble report.  I probably will end up eating it.  These things are very receptive to tube rolling.  I have been using some different NOS 6922s from my stash and enjoying the results.

 

My recommendation is that if you like these little set amps DO NOT order a Decware unless you are OK waiting years for it.  I would find something similar that you can have next week and try that.  If you can find a Decware for sale now, I'd definitely give that a try.  I'd buy mine again if I didn't have to wait.

Try a set of JJ tubes. They sound more detailed over the tubes that Decware sends. I also have Quicksilver Horn Mono tube amps. 25 watts per channel and you can roll in 6l6, 6550, EL34, and KT88 tubes. I use them with my La Scalas. 

[Estes]

I bought a used Decware UFO 2.1 on the used market while I wait for a UFO 25th anniversary, and the CSP325 anniversary preamp. Love this sound through my Heresy IV's. Perfect for my listening space without a sub. 

I have debated whether I should swap the UFO for the Sarah 300b, but Steve's design allows for him as you said, apparently even more so with the 300b. Not something I would want to wrestle with given the Klipsch efficient and sensitivity. I can hear a faint hum with the Heresy's, but not from my listening spot so good by me.