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

[Currawong]

Chinese eBay sellers tend to just post stuff without informing the customer, specially if they sell a large volume of gear.

[les_garten]

Originally Posted by nsx_23

Those of you who purchased a Zero from wsz0304, how long does shipping take?

Its been 2 business days now, and still no reply to emails or a tracking number............

Send them an email, they are usually VERY responsive.

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[Claus-DK]

I have done the small mod, clipping away the brown things beside the RCA outlet, but I would like to get them back on, the problem is that I just threw them away and now I do not know what they are ???
I know it is capasitors but they probally have a number or something on them....
Could someone be so kind to enligthen me ??

[nsx_23]

Originally Posted by les_garten

Send them an email, they are usually VERY responsive.

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Got a tracking number.

Can't wait!

I'm considering franken-modding my Zero as well, but how does the sound change, and is it difficult to install the parts?

[les_garten]

Originally Posted by Claus-DK

I have done the small mod, clipping away the brown things beside the RCA outlet, but I would like to get them back on, the problem is that I just threw them away and now I do not know what they are ???
I know it is capasitors but they probally have a number or something on them....
Could someone be so kind to enligthen me ??

Prickly Peete will know. Or you can post in the FrankenZero thread.

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[les_garten]

Originally Posted by nsx_23

Got a tracking number.

Can't wait!

I'm considering franken-modding my Zero as well, but how does the sound change, and is it difficult to install the parts?

You'll want to hit the DIY Forum and peruse the FrankenZero thread.

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[fault151]

Hi guys i haven't posted on this thread in ages! I thought id share my thoughts on the Audio GD op amps. I ordered the earth, moon and sun to try out in other amps i have. I must say, i tried them in the dac section of the zero and the sound is much better than the opa 627's on browndog i was using. So far i think my favorite is the moon op amp. I'm a big fan of valve amps and to me this sounds the smoothest and valve like. It is very hard for me to pick one over the others, they all sound way better than the 627 and even the lm4562. The only downside is fitting it in the case, they are a bit big.

How and where did everyone else ground theirs? I might just drill an new hole for it. Has anyone else modded any other bits to go with the op amps? Please excuse me if its mentioned before in one of the previous 590+ pages. I don't want to go searching through them all, i will be here for days :0)

[les_garten]

Originally Posted by fault151

Hi guys i haven't posted on this thread in ages! I thought id share my thoughts on the Audio GD op amps. I ordered the earth, moon and sun to try out in other amps i have. I must say, i tried them in the dac section of the zero and the sound is much better than the opa 627's on browndog i was using. So far i think my favorite is the moon op amp. I'm a big fan of valve amps and to me this sounds the smoothest and valve like. It is very hard for me to pick one over the others, they all sound way better than the 627 and even the lm4562. The only downside is fitting it in the case, they are a bit big.

How and where did everyone else ground theirs? I might just drill an new hole for it. Has anyone else modded any other bits to go with the op amps? Please excuse me if its mentioned before in one of the previous 590+ pages. I don't want to go searching through them all, i will be here for days :0)

Good deal. Get 200mm Extension wires from Audio-GD.

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[nsx_23]

How many of the Audio GD HDAMs would I need, and which one should I get?

[les_garten]

Originally Posted by nsx_23

How many of the Audio GD HDAMs would I need, and which one should I get?

1) Need for what?

2) Read

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[tekki]

i want to ask, since i have a Musiland Md-10 running for my headset and this came with raving reviews i was wondering

how woulud this fit in my system now? is my musiland as good as this lol (i doubt considering the reviews that go with this now)

owh im going to use HD650's

[nsx_23]

Right, finally received my Zero today (despite it being Easter monday.....)

First impressions of the unit is that it looks well built. Quit a bit of heft to the unit, and everything feels pretty good. Power switch seems to get stuck when trying to turn it off, but nothing major.

Listening through my Pro 900s and my Computer (Connected via the included USB to optical converter), the sound is a bit harsh and unrefined at the moment, but I'll let it burn in for a little while. Nice, lively vocals, deep bass and a rather good soundstage.

Can't wait to swap in some op-amps and experiment

[nsx_23]

I have the LT1364 in the headphone amp and LM4562 in the DAC section.

Is it ok if they run a bit warm? The LT in particular seems to be a bit warm to the touch, but its not burning hot.

[les_garten]

Originally Posted by nsx_23

I have the LT1364 in the headphone amp and LM4562 in the DAC section.

Is it ok if they run a bit warm? The LT in particular seems to be a bit warm to the touch, but its not burning hot.

The Headamp rns hot, that's why it has the vents in the case. That Chip is the hotter of the OPAmps. It's all good...

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[nsx_23]

Awesome, just making sure I haven't stuffed anything up.

The LT1364 + LM4562 combo is excellent. Very musical, but not overly bright for long listening sessions.