ZMA-Zen Mystery

About the ZMA-Zen Mystery

The Decware ZMA-Zen Mystery amplifier is a dual-mono push-pull Class-A tube amplifier using two KT66 tubes per channel to produce 40 watts per channel without negative feedback, ensuring unrestricted imaging and soundstage depth. It features a 20-position stepped attenuator and uses Russian military grade 6N23P input tubes with gold grids, which can be swapped for 6N1P or 6922 tubes. Voltage regulation is handled by OA3 tubes with a fast recovery solid-state rectifier. The amplifier is designed as two mono amps in a single chassis, maintaining high quality and performance similar to Decware's Zen TORII monoblocks but at a reduced cost. It has massive power supply capacitors (about 40 times larger than typical amps of its size), providing clean, battery-like power for exceptional liquidity and accuracy in sound reproduction. The ZMA includes bias and balance controls for each tube pair, allowing quick and precise tube matching and clipping indication. Inputs include single-ended RCA jacks with optional Jensen transformer balanced XLR inputs. The amplifier is known for its super quiet operation, reliability, and musical naturalness, with a warm-up period that transitions gradually. It comes with a lifetime warranty and is highly regarded for its value and sonic performance. The amplifier ships with a padded Pelican case and includes a power cord. It supports speakers with impedance options for 4, 8, or optionally 16 ohms. The ZMA is recommended for speakers with sensitivity above 86-87 dB and is praised for its musical purity and detailed soundstage.