Some impression on Zu Omen Definition

The Rawson F3 that I had was not even close to the XA30.5 that I have btw, but I think that is an unfair comparison to the First Watt Products. The F3 Clone was pretty durn good though.

I have compared my system to a local audio store with a $10,000 McIntosh and the top of the line B&W's and mine kicked it's butt!

1. Follow Zu's in room set up guide. Even a few inches off and the bass will be missing.
2. The Omen Defs like lots of space. Mine are 4 feet off of the back wall and three off of the side and the soundstage is behind the speakers and huge!
3. Tilt the speakers up by going and buying new bolts for the underneath spacing. Mine are tilted back 3/4 of an inch.
4. How far away are you? These guys need space to become coherent.
5. Any upstream weaknesses will be very apparent with the Zu
6. What amp are you using?

Cheers,
Morgan

Well, just because you believe in something or not does not change the fact that it will take a minimum of 200 hours for break-in, and mine kept improving for maybe 300-400 hours. If you fall out of a tree it doesn't really matter if you believe in gravity, you are going down!

I was never a believer in break in either till I heard it myself with my Omen Defs. They went from so so to decent to great to crap all over the course of a week. I was questioning my decision to buy them on more than one occasion, then they settled down and now they sound great.

As for amps, you cannot go wrong with a Pass XA30.5 or F3, or pretty much any quality set amp. But if you have any weakness, your system will suffer.

And if you cannot get the sound you want, then your maybe too small.....in which case the Superfly's would be a much better choice as they are much smaller.

I have had both of the SS above and several set amps, it just depends on your room, your taste, and the synergy of your system.....tubes give you a bit more intimacy and improved tone, especially with jazz and vocalists, while the SS gives you a bit more dynamics, increased bass, etc.

With your music choices, I think a Set would be a good choice, but until you try both in your system you will not know what each can do for you......I bet Gopher can chime in as he has both also, and he is better with words than I:).

In my system, I love the Pass XA 30.5 as an all around performer for rock, electronica, jazz, vocalists....it all sounds good......and I just am selling an Art Audio 845, and for jazz, I am yet to hear better As for as tone, intimacy,soundstage,etc. ( though I think my new 300's will be my preference I just don't have enough hours on them yet to comment).

My guess is that if the McCormack is not the best pairing, then the next thing I would try would be a SET.

I have absolutely beautiful music with a 6 watt art Aurio Px 25 and an 8 watt Coincident Frankenstein 300. Sean casey at Zu loves the 2 watt Yamamoto A-08 at 2 watts.....

Actually I felt the 18 watt ( if I remember correctly) Art Audio 845 was too much wattage for the volume I listen to. Certain amps hit their stride at certain levels and I felt like I was driving a Ferrari in first gear...but at higher volumes it was amazing (but my neighbors did not quite hear it the same way:)).

Yes my recommendations are for the Omen Defs......

roscoeiii: the F3 is recommended by Zu and the XA 30.5 are Sean Casey's favorite amps with the Omen Defs (heard it from him myself).

The Mini torii has a volume control, but many amps come like this in the SET world. So you can use a pre amp or not, and it will not harm the quality of your sound if you do. Either the F3 or the Decware will be a winner for you, though I am betting the Decware would be much less similar to your current amp than the F3. BTW you will have to be very patient, and move quickly to get a used DIY F3. I bought the one Gopher had within an hour or so of it posting and Gopher snagged mine in about 15 minutes. That was the only one I have seen for sale in two months. If I were you, based on what I know about myself and Gopher, I would grab the Decware before we jump on it. If I were not breaking in a brand new fabulous amp with two other fantastic amps sitting next to it, I would go for it myself:). But I am spontaneous and may change my mind at any second:).

Why don't you just get a different pre amp then? Everyone can give you an opinion, but your room, your electronics, and your music preferences will dictate what will work best for you. Opinions are just that, and vary depending on all the above factors. Where are you located btw? Maybe you can find a local that you could audition with? That is a good way to get a taste of what different set ups will give you.

I finally got my system up and running again after a lengthy downturn recently. I have the Frankensteins going finally after having constant ground loop hum issues and break in on the Black Treasure 300's. Also I just bought a Dood Tube Buffer as my new pre......both of those and my upgraded Tranquility Sig DAC, and we have definitely found some magic.......

Yes, I still have the Art Audio PX 25 and I also just put a new Dodd Battery tubed Buffer in my system, so between the BT break in and the new pre, I cannot compare them just yet.....but I will in the next month or so. I am still hanging onto the Pass XA 30.5 also to have three to choose from.

My first impressions are that the Coincident paired with the Dodd have a lot more body, definitely more defined bass, and less edginess on the top end. But that is comparing my last listening sessions with the Px-25 without a pre or buffer to the Coincident with the buffer.

I can honestly say that my system has never sounded better, but I cannot decide what is the source of the improvements, though I do think the battery powered buffer must be responsible for some of the added bass and depth of the sound stage. Though I have also recently added an Uber Buss with Furutech receptacles, upgraded to the Tranquility Sig Dac, and have an upgraded PC for my Mac Mini........so as you can see, I am smiling and loving it, but will now have to dissect in reverse to determine what I like the best!