What Is the SE84B Zen Triode?
The Zen is a small, simple, stereo, vacuum tube power amplifier. It is a single-ended design with output tubes wired in triode mode. RMS measurements of the Zen indicate an output of 2.4 W/channel at 8 ohms impedance. The owner’s manual states that the Zen will reliably drive speakers rated at only 2 ohms. Additionally, the two channels of this amp may be wired in series with both channel inputs linked (instructions are included with the owner’s manual) that will allow it to be used as a monobloc amplifier with 8W to 9W output. The frequency range of the amp is given as 30 to 20,000 Hz at ±1.5dB or 25 to 25,000 Hz at ±3dB. The Zen Triode measures 15 x 25 x 16 cm, and weighs about 4.5 kg (10 x 6.25 x 6 inches, 10 lbs). The Zen uses four tubes: a single Svetlana, 6N1P, dual-triode tube in the driver circuit, one Philips 5Y3GT rectifier tube, and one, Svetlana SV83 output tube for each channel. Unlike some single-ended designs at the lower end of the price spectrum, the Zen uses no negati
