Decware Taboo Amplifier - single ended pentode - el84 - Class A

[camtwister]

For sale is a Decware Taboo amplifier. Now sold - thank you.
It's a bobby dazzler!

The Taboo utilises the EL84 family of power valves.
It is a single ended pentode design that runs in Class A.
It will puff up its chest and give 6 watts at full power into 8 ohms, when driven with 2.3 volts across the input.
It is Hazen enabled and so you can use the Russian 6P15P/EV tube to best effect - and it's somewhat less expensive than exotic triodes.
And it gets better: the amp is self-biasing.
It can be used as a single input integrated amp but it excels when the volume control is bypassed (with the direct input jacks) and when driven by an active pre-amp.
It loves my Tron and my Croft.
The noise floor is low. (Quoted as less than one millivolt but they don't say under what conditions.)
The output transformer is designed for the amp topology and was made in the US.

Tube rollers can, er, roll around in joy because it will accept either 12AX7, 12AT7 or 12AU7 as the driver tube.
The rectifier valve has a significant effect on the sonics. You can play with 5U4, 5AR4, GZ34 and 274B.
I am selling the Decware with a RCA JAN 5U4G, manufactured in the 1950s.
Also included is a Psvane 12AX7 and a closely matched pair of New Old Stock Reflektor 6P15P-EV valves, purchased from Steve Deckart.

This is the improved version of the second generation of the Taboo with model designation "se84ts+".
These were manufactured between 2009 and 2012.
The current version is revision four, but that is a dedicated headphone amp.
The amplifier that I'm selling will drive loudspeakers. It does not have a headphone facility.

All resistors are precision WW/MF by Dale and Vishay. The signal caps are poly film & foil. The filter caps are electrolytic.

Dimensions are 7.25 inches wide by 14.75 inches deep, with a height of no more than 8 inches if using the 5U4G rectifier.
The top of the transformer is 6.5 inches above the feet.

I am the original owner. I purchased the Taboo directly from Decware in 2012, specified for a 240V UK supply.
It's in first class, fully working condition.
The casing and volume control knob are made from walnut. The chassis is powder coated 2mm T6 aluminium.
This is very much a reluctant sale but I've invested in yet another shiny thermionic machine that requires quads of KT120s - and so funds must be raised.
This generation of Taboo doesn't come up for sale often and the waiting list for the new $2200 equivalent is six months.

Take a peek at this:
https://6moons.com/audioreviews/decware/taboo.html

I would prefer collection for obvious reasons but given the lockdown rules, I'm willing to ship the amp within the UK.
The amp didn't arrive in a bespoke box, and so there's no original packaging as such, but I'll protect it as much as possible from the horrors of the courier.
I estimate a cost of £35 for postage. I'll probably ship the valves in a separate box.

If you have sensitive speakers that present a benign resistive load, this little 'un will make you smile.

I do have a pretty selection of 1950s Mullard RX1 el84 valves and NOS Reflektor 6P15P.
These could be for sale with the amp, which would be neat, but I'll want extra money because I'm feeding a habit.

*

(If you don't have suitable speakers or if your listening preference is for bass heavy material at 110dB,
I do have other solid state power amps for sale that may tickle you.)

*

https://i.postimg.cc/2yxH2tVx/Taboo-a.jpg (https://postimg.cc/Wqh64XmD)


https://i.postimg.cc/bYZZxnSK/Taboo-3.jpg (https://postimg.cc/14ZRPfHH)


https://i.postimg.cc/SN8j5prd/Taboo_2.jpg (https://postimg.cc/9rmWRKsw)


https://i.postimg.cc/KzvZv6B6/Taboo_4.jpg (https://postimg.cc/PL9GSF6y)


https://i.postimg.cc/5t50t5GC/Taboo_5.jpg (https://postimg.cc/p9TxGjPW)




https://i.postimg.cc/sxH1rVLH/Taboo_6.jpg (https://postimg.cc/wRJ95dgD)


https://i.postimg.cc/zBjVxwFr/Taboo_7.jpg (https://postimg.cc/JDsrnkF6)


https://i.postimg.cc/HnkjRJ67/Taboo-8.jpg (https://postimg.cc/LYGHZsKH)


https://i.postimg.cc/dtSTMBPQ/Taboo_9.jpg (https://postimg.cc/Whg4g01x)


https://i.postimg.cc/6QZZfGPW/Taboo_10.jpg (https://postimg.cc/7CxbxbDd)


https://i.postimg.cc/FH8cSxDC/Taboo-11.jpg (https://postimg.cc/SnLJFc0c)


https://i.postimg.cc/26fZcSp4/Taboo_12.jpg (https://postimg.cc/QB0CVsdt)




This is where the amp was hand-made:


https://i.postimg.cc/JzncZ0m0/where_it_was_made.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

[Bourney]

Beautiful

[twotone]

Stunning!

[Colin2040]

Extremely nice makes me want to buy a set of sensitive speakers.
Colin

[Filterlab]

Gorgeous.

[camtwister]

Thanks to all for the compliments.
The amp is now sold, subject to payment, to a respected member of this parish.

[RobsterD]

Me :): look forward to trying it on my Voxativ field coils

[camtwister]

Wow.
I'd love to see that set up. And hear it, obvs.
Which Voxative speakers do you have? Or have you built cabs for their drivers?
Time for a new thread, Rob!

[Gregje]

Beautiful!

Once I've put together a clone of Zen se84c.
I loved the sound, but visually mine was pitiful...

[RobsterD]

Hi
This is back up for sale really enjoyed having a play it’s a very sweet sounding amp well built inside and out - just prefer my SIT amps in my setup .
Offered with the original valves + I’ll include a Chatham 5R4WGY rectifier and a Brimar 13D5 which I thought sounded a nice sounding combo.
I also bought a new HiFi - Tuning Supreme silver/gold 3a fuse which improved things further.
With the added valves and fuse I’d like £1000 in postage
I’m in Southampton if you want to pick up adhering to COVID regs etc
Cheers
Rob

[RobsterD]

Got some NOS Mullard yellow label EL84’s and a NOS Bendix 6106 rectifier coming soon to evaluate not included in price but up to a bit of negotiating
Just bought some Audio Note silver tants for my SIT’s which has upped its game considerably ��

[RobsterD]

Bump
Bendix 6106 and Mullards installed and has improved this diminutive amp by a decent margin could live with either at the moment but doubt I’d sell my SIT monos as there very much a niche amp.

[Acepro]

Hi Rob
Interested! Any chance of an audition?
Cheers
Pete

[RobsterD]

Pete PM to discuss no doubt something can be worker out

[RobsterD]

bump

[jasonC]

Beautifully taken pictures mate.

[RobsterD]

Ah afraid I can’t take the credit all camtwister’s work - hence why I bumped his thread when it became available.
It was an excellent for sale post

[RobsterD]

bump

[RobsterD]

The 6106 rectifier was £150 and the Mullard EL84’s £75
So now offered for £1100 with the original valves and the Mullard EL84’s and 6106 .
don’t forget the foo fuse :)

[bumpy]

The 6106 rectifier was £150 and the Mullard EL84’s £75
So now offered for £1100 with the original valves and the Mullard EL84’s and 6106 .
don’t forget the foo fuse :)

Hi Rob
Awaiting reply from you.

[RobsterD]

Hi Chris
Been trying your inbox is full

[RobsterD]

Some info on the lucid mode switch and Hazen mod
LUCID MODE SWITCH
The lucid mode switch can be used on-the -fly while listening to music. When engagued it cre- ates an esoteric feedback scheme where feed- back from one channel is fed to other channel and visa-versa. This effect creates more space and a better sense of dimensionality with most recordings. There will be some recordings that sound best when the amp is run is standard mode (lucid mode off). Lucid mode is a unique concept that can only be implimented in the Zen Taboo amplifier. It is not something that can be applied to any other circuit.
Hazen/CCE mod

https://www.decware.com/newsite/paper146.html

[bumpy]

A deal has been struck and the amp should be headed my way soon. Its long been my desire to try out an EL84 amp. My favourite designer, SW1X, is currently working on the development of an EL84 amp and this Decware kit is so well regarded it will prove a great benchmark.

[Lawrence001]

I bet it will sound great. How did you get on in the end with the Ice Power amp on your bass drivers by the way?

[bumpy]

I bet it will sound great. How did you get on in the end with the Ice Power amp on your bass drivers by the way?

Hi Lawrence

The amp had a small problem that I had to get fixed, but its perfect now. Over the last year I have been able to migrate my system to a dedicated room, which was a mixed blessing as the room is more narrow than long, with a vaulted ceiling at one end.

Its been a bit of a challenge to get it right and using the ICE amp has taken a back seat. I have been able to get a pretty good bass response by changing crossovers and by additional baffles around the bass driver. For open baffles its pretty good at present.

When more settled I will return to experimenting with driving the bass drivers using the ICE amp and the much enhanced damping it gives over valves, particularly the flea powered amps I prefer but the Decware is a big step up in power from my 1.8W 45 triodes :)

Early days I somehow contrived to put the full 1000W through vintage Saba Greencones and blew them to pieces in nanoseconds with a big bang and showers of sparks. Not my finest hour :)

Thanks for asking :)

[Lawrence001]

Oh no sounds like it's been more of a liability than an asset. Hope it works out eventually anyway, these are the best bass driving amps made I think

[bumpy]

Oh no sounds like it's been more of a liability than an asset. Hope it works out eventually anyway, these are the best bass driving amps made I think

No problem Lawrence. Life is a roller coaster :)

[Lawrence001]

I prefer a slow journey with plenty of stops on a rural branch line in a 2 car DMU myself [emoji16]

[bumpy]

I prefer a slow journey with plenty of stops on a rural branch line in a 2 car DMU myself [emoji16]

:lol:

[charles hidalgo]

I really enjoy mine! Great amp. Steve makes great stuff.

[charles hidalgo]

Steve's builds are some of my favorite going on 20 years now.

[Andy831]

Some of the best amps I ever owned were Decware amps. Just brilliant