Any direct comparisons between Decware SE34I.5 and SE84UFO2?


I’ve been unsuccessful finding many listening notes contrasting the character and tone of the 2 models. With the current long lead times I guess I could just order both and then easily sell one, but I’m not ready to start buying amps 2 at a time yet. (And if they’re any where near as good as the individual reviews claim, I’d probably end up keeping both.)

For my personal set up I’m not overly concerned about the power output difference. Either should be fine with Zu Soul Supremes. I have a Primaluna now so I have a few EL34 compatible tubes I could use, but I don’t have a benchmark on how different the same tube in a different amp would be. I realize both amps are using a pentode tube as a triode, but I’m not sure how different that is from a true triode SET.

There’s an element of ongoing exploration here. The easy answer is to try everything, but time and money are limiting factors. Is triode mode on the Primaluna giving me an idea of what to expect from a SET amp? Seems like having at least one of these is worthwhile even if some fancy boutique 300B monoblocks might be in my eventual future (the exception to the rule against buying 2 amps at once).

Please chime in with firsthand (or even secondhand) anecdotes, links to reviews I’ve missed, better search terms, cat pictures, or knock-knock jokes. Thanks.


cat_doorman

Showing 1 response by danager

Can’t really help you except that you probably can’t go very far wrong with either.
I’m using the SE84UFO which is a gas to own. The tubes it uses are really inexpensive (I mean I just bought some for a little over a buck apiece) and so you can fine tune the sound to what you’re looking for. I haven’t gotten into tube adapters yet but that opens up even more possibilities.
If you think you can suffice with two watts the SE84UFO2 with all the mods should be a great amp.  If that isn't enough buy two and bridge them.  Basically the SE84UFO3 with meters.