Review: ZERO 24 BIT/192KHz DAC/Headphone Amp/Pre-Amp - Page 100

er.. yes it is now $450 (will be increased to $ 529 in one week), but still...

I certainly know that using separate analog electrical components (resistors, transistors, diodes etc.) rather than chips to amplify the audio signal is a different thing, but I don't think this is worth more than 4 times the price excluding shipping , especially because this mod is being performed at the output stage only. I don't think it's fair to resell this item with such an high markup. Take a look at the modding module and the other Oritek mods on the Zhaolu, IMHO they speak for themselves...

Besides, how dares he to rebrand the Zhaolu as "Oritek Audio" with such small and cheap mods?

If I were Mr. Zhaolu, I would get p...... off.


Oritek Audio - OMZ DAC Information Page

No, I did a small comparison now though stock zero vs H5, and they sounded VERY alike. I had a really hard time to hear a difference. I find that different op-amp combinations in the zero yield a bigger difference than stock Zero vs H5. The tonality was very very alike. I could hear a difference in the bass region, where I on the zero could hear a bass guitar, while on the H5 I could not hear it as easy. This might indicate more bass in the zero, better detail, or better separation, or just a very slight difference in signature.

Both have a neutral and natural signature but with a touch of warmth and smoothness.

I would have to make a very detailed comparison to really get all the differences right.

EDIT: The H5 is very very very very slightly more smooth on the edges.

EDIT: This small comparison was with dt990.

EDIT: During a complex passage in "Megadeath - Holy wars ... the punishment due" I could follow a supressed guitar more easily with the H5 than with zero. This might as before be due to a slight difference in signature or something else.

Hi Henmyr,
thanks a lot for precious support!!
At the moment i'm placing the order..nothing more to say
I decided to buy the unit with the stock opamps, and then, when i really know what i need (maybe i'll need anything) i'll try to adjust sound signature rolling opamps.
Thanks one more time for spendig time doing comparison, your advice is so appreciated

Hey all. i just got my new beresford tc-7510 dac today. I'm going to et it burn in a bit and compare it to my zero. This should be exciting as both these dacs are very similar in price and both have had good reviews from members on here and other forums. If your interested pm me and i'll let you know how i'm getting on and the the sound differences.

Hi Penchum,
Glad to know that you're thinking the same! I'm so anxious to have my Zero and try it deeply
I'm sure opamp rolling can means a huge step, but i think is a personal thing. Anyway, the OPA627 is probably the best opamp out there, it's not cheap, but it's probably the best, used for Mark Levinson etc etc.
One question about connection..my laptop does'nt have a digital output, so i'm gonna buy from Lawrence a usb to spdif adapter..anyone experienced with this unit?

Nope but id like to know how it sounds too. let us know when you get one.

ok, i'll do it. I have also founded this one NEW USB to SPDIF & OPTICAL Interface UDA1321/CS8405A su eBay.it CD Players Recorders, Home Audio, Consumer Electronics
Same spec. but coaxial output too..i'm wondering which one could be better.
I know that there are many enthusiastic owner of the Trends Audio 10.1 DAC, used only to connect a pc to a dac, but i think it's too expensive as simple usb to spdif transport.

I think it can drive both outputs at the same time, and i also think that a coaxial connection can be useful someday..i think i'll buy this unit..is more attractive too

Don't know the one from Lawrence but I bought this USB SPDIF converter for about 16€ on ebay:
USB 5.1 Ch optical Controller Audio Sound Card S\PDIF en vente sur eBay.fr (fin le 14-Fév-08 02:38:14 Paris)

It's based on the CM106 chip from c-media.
Even the headphone output is not bad...

I connected it with the optical cable provided with the Zero. It works without drivers with XP but if you install those provided, you can then use the KS plugin for foobar and choose the sampling output (44,1 or 48khz).
Works like my motherboard coaxial output.

PS: BTW you can see on the photo the difference with 4,7 kohm resistors for the leds. I removed my sunglasses ...

Thanks for info, but i've just bought the other one (see link above)
oh! it's seems that stock unit is very brilliant at night!