OPERATION MANUAL MODEL : ZMA - ZEN MYSTERY AMP
REV 1 MAR 2014
OPERATION
Once the amplifier is on, and the bias meters have risen and settled into their
proper position, connect your source to the input of the amplifier and slowly raise
the volume.
The Zen Mystery Amp has a 2 volt input sensitivity meaning that you will have to
turn the volume control all the way up to get the amp to clip when connected
directly to an industry standard 2 volt line level source, such as a CD player, DVD
player, or DAC, etc., This is intensional and determined to sound better than having
the amp come to full power with the gain (volume) control only half way up like
most other amplifiers.
!
CLIPPING
Your bias meters can tell you when the amplifier is nearing distortion because they
will start to move. If they move a lot, the amp is likely clipping. If only one meter
dances relative to the other meters it is an early warning of which output tube is
most likely to wear out and need replacement first. Again, at a glance confirmation
that your tubes are perfect or not perfect when ever you want to look at it.
INSIGHT -
Since these are real analog meters you can trust their personality to tell
you a lot about each output tube. For example, in addition to the above, when you
first turn on your amplifier it is possible to notice how fast the meters rise relative
to each other. If you have one that takes twice as long as the other three to come
up, you can be pretty sure the tube is showing early signs of fatigue.
!
PREAMPS
The Zen Mystery is pretty much at home either WITH or WITHOUT a preamp. We
recommend if a preamp is used that it be an ACTIVE preamp with GAIN vs., a tube
buffer stage, or passive preamp as either can compromise dynamics.
A tube preamp with gain that is of equal fidelity and complimentarily voiced is often
recommended for those using digital sources because the preamp adds badly
needed density and dimensionality to the digital source. Of course not all DAC’s
would benefit from or need a preamp to sound better, it’s a piece by piece decision
that can only be made by trying it and evaluating the result.
If your DAC has fully balanced outputs, and you have purchased the optional
transformer balanced inputs on the Mystery Amp, then the need or benefit from a
preamp is substantially reduced.
PAGE
OF
WWW.DECWARE.COM
15
21
