Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphone Amps (full-size) › Review: ZERO 24 BIT/192KHz DAC/Headphone Amp/Pre-Amp
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Review: ZERO 24 BIT/192KHz DAC/Headphone Amp/Pre-Amp - Page 86

post #1276 of 9228
2/3/08 at 3:09pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by magnetiq View Post
Hmmn, i think there is a limit on the amount of characters you can use in a search, as 'Zero' yields nothing.

I want to know how this fares against other popular amps as a headphone amp? I'm hearing great things about the pico and am thinking of pairing it with the Zero, but if it isn't much better then there is no point..
I'm sorry, I don't remember what you are using as a source and phones.
Is it a digital source? Did you need a DAC to be portable?
Thanks!
Reply
post #1277 of 9228
2/3/08 at 3:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by davve View Post
what chip is that on my soundcard its a opamp?
This 24LC01B is a serial EEPROM from Microchip. Nothing to do with an op amp. Don't try to replace it or you will have a bad surprise
Reply
post #1278 of 9228
2/3/08 at 3:56pm
144 hours : OK, enough burning for now...
A little point and let's roll (op amps of course )
Reply
post #1279 of 9228
2/3/08 at 3:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fremen View Post
This 24LC01B is a serial EEPROM from Microchip. Nothing to do with an op amp. Don't try to replace it or you will have a bad surprise
Ok thanks! good to know! it looked just like a opamp and my brain was saying change it!!
Reply
post #1280 of 9228
2/3/08 at 4:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Penchum View Post
I'm sorry, I don't remember what you are using as a source and phones.
Is it a digital source? Did you need a DAC to be portable?
Thanks!
Soundcard, at the moment it's the audigy 2 zs and X-fi but might be getting a Xonar or Prelude..

and DT770/80s
Reply
post #1281 of 9228
2/3/08 at 4:19pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by magnetiq View Post
Soundcard, at the moment it's the audigy 2 zs and X-fi but might be getting a Xonar or Prelude..

and DT770/80s
Cool. If portability isn't an issue, then using coaxial out of one of your creative cards, to the Zero, would sound really nice. No reason to buy a better sound card (for this purpose) since it just becomes a transport.
The headphone amp in the Zero is going to sound better than the portable units. With Opamp changes, even more so. Playing lossless files through the Zero is a major improvement all by itself.
Reply
post #1282 of 9228
2/3/08 at 4:28pm
oh ok good to know Thanks

will investigate into opamps too
Reply
post #1283 of 9228
2/3/08 at 5:17pm
Ordering zero amp tomorrow.

But should I buy couple of op amps too? Not really familiar with those, yet.
Reply
post #1284 of 9228
2/3/08 at 6:39pm
I like my default OPA2604 better than DY2000 metal. OPA627's I didn't get enough experience because one of them fried or something.

I would advise maybe not buying those op-amps and instead order some samples from Linear for free. Browndog adapter can be handy if you order LT1028 (single op-amps) so you can mount them on that Browndog. The adapter cost 5$ when I bought one extra with dac.
Reply
post #1285 of 9228
2/3/08 at 6:47pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Clok View Post
Ordering zero amp tomorrow.

But should I buy couple of op amps too? Not really familiar with those, yet.
I agree with Seba, get it and burn it in. If the stock Opamps seem lacking, then order some from LT.
Reply
post #1286 of 9228
2/3/08 at 6:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fremen View Post
Here it is!
I couldn't resist to compare with my PC output: for now zero has less punchy basses and foggy highs (Ok, I am not surprised because Penchum already repeated it so many times :IT HAS TO BURN IN )
Things have changed now. After more then 140 hours of burning in, basses are now real huge. Not that precise but huge. Voices and highs are now clear. A big improvement.

OP2604 + LT1057
Not much to say. It doesn't improve anything (maybe worse in the highs)
The LT1057 stays cold

OP2604 + LM4562
Big improvement in medium and highs (more precise) but the huge basses are gone.
The LM4562 stays cold

OP2604 + LT1364
Basses more defined, medium and high maybe better then the LM4562
The LT1364 is quickly hot (50-55°C but cools down on pause)

OP2604 + LT1361
Sounds like with the LT1364 for me.
LT1361 quickly hot too.

OP2604 + LT1469
Seems as good as LT1364/61 but less hot

LT1364 + LT1469
Maybe more dynamics, basses are punchy
LT1364 is hotter than the LT1469 and stays hot even with no music.

Well, that's too many tests for me. I hope I didn't mix things.
May be I should do it again ... but not today
Reply
post #1287 of 9228
2/3/08 at 7:58pm
OK! I have been quiet for quite awhile so it's time I contributed my thoughts on my new toy.

I have been trying out these opamps:
1364
1361
1469
2604 stock

My preferred use is to optimize the DAC section for output to my Gilmore Lite.

My music selections (FLAC) were:

YES - The Ladder (esp "The Messenger") lots of bass heavy tracks
TOTO - Mindfields
TOOL - 10,000 Days, Lateralus
PAT PENATAR - Innamorata
MARILLION - Afraid of Sunlight
DIANA KRALL - All For You
ALAN PARSONS PROJECT - Eye in the Sky

So, after breaking in my system now for well over a couple of hundred hours (waiting for opamps, etc) on ALL components (Chaintech AV710, stock Zero, Gilmore Lite & HD650), I have been extremely pleased with the performance of this unit. Stock has been "berry, berry good" to me!

I have started with the 1364 in the DAC position and find it to be less than I expected. There is more bass but it seems overly muddy or a bit overwhelming - especially into the lower midrange. By comparison, the stock 2604 bass seems tighter, faster and more controlled. Soundstage on the 1364 seems wider yet more distant. I guess I prefer the "in your face" type of sound that I seem to get from the 2604.

I patiently swapped out the stock 2604 with the 1364 to be sure. I played the same music tracks repeatedly to try and discern any differences to my ear but the 2604 just seemed more complete.

Next, I tried the 1361 as DAC and found it more pleasing to my ear and very much like the 2604. Great bass reproduction and a bit cleaner in the mid and uppers. Slightly more crisp sounding and accurate. The things I tend to notice or look for the most are bass reproduction and crispness/clarity in mids & highs. I like accurate reproduction.

The 1469 seemed just like the 1361 but still more of a preference. I can't say why but I like this chip (1469) the best of the group. I switched over to the amp out of the ZERO and plugged the two 1361 in the amp section. It was excellent! I forgot that I was listening to the built in amp and was lost in the music so much that I thought that I had been connected to the Gilmore!

Music through this DAC (1469) produces a great sound for me. Bass is tight, deep, controlled and visceral. I can feel it pumping through me. I think I will stay with this combo for awhile and see if it can get better.

I don't think I want to even consider the 627's yet, but then, who am I trying to kid?
Reply
post #1288 of 9228
2/3/08 at 8:22pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fremen View Post
Things have changed now. After more then 140 hours of burning in, basses are now real huge. Not that precise but huge. Voices and highs are now clear. A big improvement.

OP2604 + LT1057
Not much to say. It doesn't improve anything (maybe worse in the highs)
The LT1057 stays cold

OP2604 + LM4562
Big improvement in medium and highs (more precise) but the huge basses are gone.
The LM4562 stays cold

OP2604 + LT1364
Basses more defined, medium and high maybe better then the LM4562
The LT1364 is quickly hot (50-55°C but cools down on pause)

OP2604 + LT1361
Sounds like with the LT1364 for me.
LT1361 quickly hot too.

OP2604 + LT1469
Seems as good as LT1364/61 but less hot

LT1364 + LT1469
Maybe more dynamics, basses are punchy
LT1364 is hotter than the LT1469 and stays hot even with no music.

Well, that's too many tests for me. I hope I didn't mix things.
May be I should do it again ... but not today
Quote:
Originally Posted by edguetzow View Post
OK! I have been quiet for quite awhile so it's time I contributed my thoughts on my new toy.

I have been trying out these opamps:
1364
1361
1469
2604 stock

My preferred use is to optimize the DAC section for output to my Gilmore Lite.

My music selections (FLAC) were:

YES - The Ladder (esp "The Messenger") lots of bass heavy tracks
TOTO - Mindfields
TOOL - 10,000 Days, Lateralus
PAT PENATAR - Innamorata
MARILLION - Afraid of Sunlight
DIANA KRALL - All For You
ALAN PARSONS PROJECT - Eye in the Sky

So, after breaking in my system now for well over a couple of hundred hours (waiting for opamps, etc) on ALL components (Chaintech AV710, stock Zero, Gilmore Lite & HD650), I have been extremely pleased with the performance of this unit. Stock has been "berry, berry good" to me!

I have started with the 1364 in the DAC position and find it to be less than I expected. There is more bass but it seems overly muddy or a bit overwhelming - especially into the lower midrange. By comparison, the stock 2604 bass seems tighter, faster and more controlled. Soundstage on the 1364 seems wider yet more distant. I guess I prefer the "in your face" type of sound that I seem to get from the 2604.

I patiently swapped out the stock 2604 with the 1364 to be sure. I played the same music tracks repeatedly to try and discern any differences to my ear but the 2604 just seemed more complete.

Next, I tried the 1361 as DAC and found it more pleasing to my ear and very much like the 2604. Great bass reproduction and a bit cleaner in the mid and uppers. Slightly more crisp sounding and accurate. The things I tend to notice or look for the most are bass reproduction and crispness/clarity in mids & highs. I like accurate reproduction.

The 1469 seemed just like the 1361 but still more of a preference. I can't say why but I like this chip (1469) the best of the group. I switched over to the amp out of the ZERO and plugged the two 1361 in the amp section. It was excellent! I forgot that I was listening to the built in amp and was lost in the music so much that I thought that I had been connected to the Gilmore!

Music through this DAC (1469) produces a great sound for me. Bass is tight, deep, controlled and visceral. I can feel it pumping through me. I think I will stay with this combo for awhile and see if it can get better.

I don't think I want to even consider the 627's yet, but then, who am I trying to kid?
Excellent work on both you guys!

There are a lot of different opinions on what should go in the DAC section. This seems to vary with type of music, the rest of the system, wind from the southwest, time of day.....

I never disliked the OPA2604 in the DAC, it has a nice "all around" output that every amp I have here benefited from. The OPA627s on an adapter in the DAC, is like icing on the cake! I then put LT1469s in the headphone amp and was pretty pleased with this setup, for all around use.

I think both of you hit it on the head! Many other folks will benefit from your impressions! Thanks a bunch!!
Reply
post #1289 of 9228
2/4/08 at 6:50am

Zero amp vs. Audigy 2ZS

Has anybody tried to connect an headphone directly to an Audigy or X-fi and compare the sound with the Zero?

I'm still waiting for my Zero, but I'm curious. I have a Sennheiser HD-555 and an Audigy 2 ZS.

I'm sure this comparison would definitely be of interest for several people.

Thanks

Alfred
Reply
post #1290 of 9228
2/4/08 at 7:17am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by pincellone View Post
Has anybody tried to connect an headphone directly to an Audigy or X-fi and compare the sound with the Zero?

I'm still waiting for my Zero, but I'm curious. I have a Sennheiser HD-555 and an Audigy 2 ZS.

I'm sure this comparison would definitely be of interest for several people.

Thanks

Alfred
Hi Alfred,

When I got my first Zero, I did compare it to the headphone jack on my X-FI extreme music I/O drive. The X-FI is stock and so was the Zero. The difference was night and day. The X-FI was boomy and not detailed, with some noise I really hadn't noticed before. Once I went Optical out the Zero, wow! No noise, full spectrum, great sound stage, accurate bass, mids and highs. It really was SO different, I kept saying to myself, "why didn't I do this before?". So, I find it easy to say you are in for a treat when you get yours together.
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Headphone Amps (full-size)
Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphone Amps (full-size) › Review: ZERO 24 BIT/192KHz DAC/Headphone Amp/Pre-Amp