Review: ZERO 24 BIT/192KHz DAC/Headphone Amp/Pre-Amp

[helicopter34234]

I have been listening to the stock opamp on my headphone amp in my zero for a week. I just received my LT1364's today and installed them immediately without attempting to ABX test them with the stock for difference in sound quality. However, a few hours later I had to stop what I was doing and just listen to the song, it really sounded good. I don't know if this is just the placebo effect or not. In everyone's experience, is the sound quality really that much better? I don't feel like pulling them back out to get a reference again from the stock opamps.

Now this makes me wonder, how much better would a dedicated amp sound?? )

I originally started my foray into high end headphones (about 2 months ago) because I couldn't tell the difference between cbr 128 KBs and lossless. I thought I lacked the equiptment. Well now with my Zero with upgraded opamps on the DAC and the Amp and Beyer DT770's I may or may not be able to tell the difference between 128 and lossless, maybe I just haven't found the right song. But at least I can definitely tell between 112 and lossless.

[helicopter34234]

Oh, and what's the update on Lawrence. Are people still buying from him? I just started my credit card chargeback to try and get back some of my money back from him (only put $160 of the $200 on my CC, the rest came from my PP balance).

Oh, the functioning Zero I speak of above is from WSZ.

[BigTony]

Nauxolo: - Is you Zero stock, or upgraded opamps? I've listened a little via the h/a and found it fine, if not inspiring, but that was with HDAM in the DAC and LT1364 in the h/a - but the sound improve over time. Maybe upgrade your opamps, and get some time on it.

[nauxolo]

Originally Posted by BigTony

Nauxolo: - Is you Zero stock, or upgraded opamps? I've listened a little via the h/a and found it fine, if not inspiring, but that was with HDAM in the DAC and LT1364 in the h/a - but the sound improve over time. Maybe upgrade your opamps, and get some time on it.

I bought from ebay, with the title:

" Zero DAC with the HDAM, LT1364, and upgraded ALPS volume pot". So, I believe it is upgraded opamps. I'll give it some time...

Oh yeah, does your unit have the volume knob sticking way out from the body, and not hugging the case? mine seems to jut out a bit.

[arfett]

I'm about to get some samples of LT1361 & LT1364 from LT, but I'm not sure which one I'm supposed to be selecting out of the 3 options it gives you.





Also, while I'm at it are there any others I should grab for future use?

[Currawong]

Originally Posted by nauxolo

My zero dac came in today!
I tried it out, with my ATH-AD900... and to put it short I'm not too impressed. After a non-blind test, I admit it is much better than my creative x-fi xtrememusic. However, it is not much better (if not worse) than my cowon iaudio x5 music player.

Is there something funny happening? How can I bring out the best, so to speak, of this DAC? I'm using coaxial cable from blue jeans cable. So, it can't be my cable.

Which version did you get? The stock version? One of the upgraded models?

[Penchum]

Originally Posted by nauxolo

My zero dac came in today!
I tried it out, with my ATH-AD900... and to put it short I'm not too impressed. After a non-blind test, I admit it is much better than my creative x-fi xtrememusic. However, it is not much better (if not worse) than my cowon iaudio x5 music player.

Is there something funny happening? How can I bring out the best, so to speak, of this DAC? I'm using coaxial cable from blue jeans cable. So, it can't be my cable.

Originally Posted by nauxolo

I bought from ebay, with the title:

" Zero DAC with the HDAM, LT1364, and upgraded ALPS volume pot". So, I believe it is upgraded opamps. I'll give it some time...

Oh yeah, does your unit have the volume knob sticking way out from the body, and not hugging the case? mine seems to jut out a bit.

Hey Nauxolo,

All Zero's require time to mature, so plan on this part taking 100 hours or more. Your HDAM module needs time to mature, which can take even more time than the Zero does.

Hang in there, and get some hours under the Zero's belt. You'll find the overall sound will fluctuate and in the end, stabilize to a super nice overall sound.

Most folks with the Alps pot upgrade, are buying nicer, heavier and better looking knobs for their Zeros. Parts ConneXion (HeadFi sponsor link on left side of screen) has several super nice knobs for sale. You may have to shorten the shaft length, if the knob you decide to use, sticks out from the faceplate too far.

[les_garten]

Originally Posted by nauxolo

My zero dac came in today!
I tried it out, with my ATH-AD900... and to put it short I'm not too impressed. After a non-blind test, I admit it is much better than my creative x-fi xtrememusic. However, it is not much better (if not worse) than my cowon iaudio x5 music player.

Is there something funny happening? How can I bring out the best, so to speak, of this DAC? I'm using coaxial cable from blue jeans cable. So, it can't be my cable.

Snarky Comment about reading the thread edited...

[les_garten]

Hello,
Ordered my Zero Late at night on Nov 7th, a Friday. Received it Following Friday, Nov 14th. Flawless. Except for the Fact that Lawrence, when he puts in the Alps Pots, doesn't cut the POT shaft. He may have a reason for that, like you may want to fit a different knob, I guess. Other than that, it is perfect in Cosmetics and function.

[nauxolo]

Originally Posted by Penchum

Hey Nauxolo,

All Zero's require time to mature, so plan on this part taking 100 hours or more. Your HDAM module needs time to mature, which can take even more time than the Zero does.

Hang in there, and get some hours under the Zero's belt. You'll find the overall sound will fluctuate and in the end, stabilize to a super nice overall sound.

Most folks with the Alps pot upgrade, are buying nicer, heavier and better looking knobs for their Zeros. Parts ConneXion (HeadFi sponsor link on left side of screen) has several super nice knobs for sale. You may have to shorten the shaft length, if the knob you decide to use, sticks out from the faceplate too far.

cool! thanks a lot, i'll definitely give it some more time. thanks for the advice on the knob upgrades :]

[Garret Jax]

Is there a mod to force the Zero DAC to default to:

1. Coax input (instead of optical)

2. Phone (amp mode, instead of preamp mode)

It's annoying that I have to hit two buttons - after a forced delay - to listen. I almost always use Coax in, amp mode.

Any ideas on a mod to make this happen?

Thanks!
-Garret

[Pricklely Peete]

No mod I know that'll do that Garret....although I could be wrong.

Peete.

[nauxolo]

Originally Posted by Garret Jax

Is there a mod to force the Zero DAC to default to:

1. Coax input (instead of optical)

2. Phone (amp mode, instead of preamp mode)

It's annoying that I have to hit two buttons - after a forced delay - to listen. I almost always use Coax in, amp mode.

Any ideas on a mod to make this happen?

Thanks!
-Garret

I wish I could do this, too.

Question: How does the RCA jack audio out compare to the headphone amp?

[Currawong]

Originally Posted by Garret Jax

Is there a mod to force the Zero DAC to default to:

1. Coax input (instead of optical)

2. Phone (amp mode, instead of preamp mode)

It's annoying that I have to hit two buttons - after a forced delay - to listen. I almost always use Coax in, amp mode.

Any ideas on a mod to make this happen?

Thanks!
-Garret

I recall someone putting just the DAC board and transformer into another box, removing the front switches and headphone/pre amp altogether. When I asked how he switched to coax, he said it auto-sensed it. That wouldn't help with switching in the HP amp. I guess something would need to be done to the front switch circuits to make that happen.

[sandchak]

Originally Posted by Pricklely Peete

sandchak,

I also mentioned these wires in the original reply...it was easy to miss I suppose in my huge answer. The 3 wire connector (black wires) are for power only, the two 4 wire sections to and from the pre/head amp board to the main board are the analog (L/R channel pairs of + and - signals) lines...it's possible those are reversed as finax suggests.

How to trouble shoot this section is not easily explained by text alone. Posting pics showing the cable runs and the wiring would help greatly so I can double check the connections. Label the the difference between the two cable runs (of 4 wires each) and to which connectors they are using (of the 4 on both boards)

A really simple test to check pure DAC mode would be to pull the black 3 wire power connection from it 's connector (on the H/Amp board) and see if the line level signal in pure DAC mode will pass to your speakers. This powers down the entire H/Amp section from the main pcb circuit.

Another simple test would be to pull the 2 four wire connectors from the H/Amp board effectively taking the entire H/Amp circuit out of the DAC circuit. The 3 wire power remains unconnected as well for this additional test.

Make sure you note which 4 wire assembly was connected to it's respective slot, that way you'll know the original assembly positions.

I hope that isn't confusing...give it a try

Peete.

Hi Peete,
Seems like I am having a good day today after all the hassles with non performing Zero, I was about to ship it back today, when I got an email from the seller Mr Wong (EBAY ID wsz0304) that he would ship me a brand new Zero Board (tested) GRATIS !! and I could keep the other board which doesnt function fully.. now this is what I call Great Service.. I am really very impressed by the way he and his assistant communicated with me and now this welcome gesture.. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED !!
Btw, I got my PH 100 this morning too and its been on the burn for the last 6 hours.. my my, what a build, I mean it looks really rock solid and to add to it all, its really brought in the much wanted warmth and mellow in my 701s - I am sure its going to get better as time goes by, currently its hooked up with my NAD c541i > Van den Hul hybrids > PH100 > 701s .. I am thoroughly enjoying..
Decided to use the Zero when its up, only as a DAC to my PC setup..
Thanks for all the help
Sandeep
PS. still cant get in touch with my friend in the States......