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Review: ZERO 24 BIT/192KHz DAC/Headphone Amp/Pre-Amp - Page 5

post #61 of 9226
12/9/07 at 11:49pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by jamato8 View Post
Do you know if this is the latest version with the larger toroidal transformer?
Last month, when both sellers were up on eBay, they were identical units. Now, hummm, maybe one of these guys getting ready to purchase wouldn't mind asking the seller if they've been upgraded? You thinking about one?
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post #62 of 9226
12/9/07 at 11:57pm
Well it looks very interesting. I would like to read more about the sound compared to some higher end products. The look of things and the components used would seem to lend to very good sound. Good caps, chips etc. I wonder if those are carbon resistors? I prefer those to common metal film resistors and they cost about the same or less.
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post #63 of 9226
12/10/07 at 12:12am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by jamato8 View Post
Well it looks very interesting. I would like to read more about the sound compared to some higher end products. The look of things and the components used would seem to lend to very good sound. Good caps, chips etc. I wonder if those are carbon resistors? I prefer those to common metal film resistors and they cost about the same or less.
The most reveling photos (way better than mine) I have seen are the ones here on ebay: ZERO NEW 24BIT 192KHZ DAC +HEAD PHONE AMP - (eBay item 140188390838 end time Dec-15-07 21:00:57 PST)

He says alot about it's contents.
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post #64 of 9226
12/10/07 at 12:58am
I just got this response from Lawrence about my order:

Dear Sir ,

You need to wait for around 10 days , your dac will be the new version upgraded dac.

Thank you veyr much !

Best regrads,
Lawrence

So, I will be getting the upgraded toroidal power supply as well! Ten days has now become eternity for me!!
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post #65 of 9226
12/10/07 at 1:06am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Penchum View Post
The most reveling photos (way better than mine) I have seen are the ones here on ebay: ZERO NEW 24BIT 192KHZ DAC +HEAD PHONE AMP - (eBay item 140188390838 end time Dec-15-07 21:00:57 PST)

He says alot about it's contents.
Great shots and components. It would still be nice to read a comparo to something well respected but the thing looks like great fun and it should be musical.
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post #66 of 9226
12/10/07 at 3:05am
i am still looking for an amp, have another question about this one. I would like something that would add weight to the sounds/music that is coming through my phones. How well does this amp do in that department? Also im sure this was asked before, but how is the clarity?

thanks!
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post #67 of 9226
12/10/07 at 4:02am

That looks like the upgraded toroidal transformer, right?

I'm pretty firm on purchasing this great unit now thanks to the wonderful review
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post #68 of 9226
12/10/07 at 4:11am
Its amazing how chinese AUDIO manufacutres able to produce very cost effective high end audio gear!!
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post #69 of 9226
12/10/07 at 4:17am
In the review it states don't expect this to compete with a 600 dollar plus unit but why not? If everything is implemented correctly it could compete with more than that but does it? It will be nice to see this compared to so existing respected units.
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post #70 of 9226
12/10/07 at 11:11am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by arteom View Post
i am still looking for an amp, have another question about this one. I would like something that would add weight to the sounds/music that is coming through my phones. How well does this amp do in that department? Also im sure this was asked before, but how is the clarity?

thanks!
Hi! I guess I'm a little unsure of what you mean by weight. With the default Opamp, it brings out the best of your clean source. I would call it transparent, pure amplification. With a Opamp change, you can make it sound more like a tube amp, super crystal clear solid state and many more. Does that help?
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post #71 of 9226
12/10/07 at 11:20am
I asked Chan Lawrence about the transformer yesterday, and he told me it is upgraded...
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post #72 of 9226
12/10/07 at 11:27am
Quote:
Originally Posted by enigma1406 View Post
Exact same thing here. He emailed me back within 20 minutes. Paypal is sent and now I'm just waiting for it to ship.
hehe yep, enough was enough, all this deciding - I mailed Tianyun directly and the two eBay sellers who had previously been selling them - bought from the first one to reply (Lawrence again ) - £90 shipped </childishly_overexcited!>

(could have saved about £50 of that plus shipping by buying direct, but the quick response - on a weekend too - kind of suggested I'd get it much much quicker via Mr Chan and besides, didn't even know if Tianyun will sell them individually and/or ship internationally, but I'll post here if/when they get back to me about that)
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post #73 of 9226
12/10/07 at 11:41am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by jamato8 View Post
In the review it states don't expect this to compete with a 600 dollar plus unit but why not? If everything is implemented correctly it could compete with more than that but does it? It will be nice to see this compared to so existing respected units.
Well, for the purpose of the "impressionistic" review, I didn't want to assume how high up the quality ladder the Zero could compete with directly. I knew for sure it stomped all over my Entec 205.5, so I tried to keep a level playing field around that. I agree there is NO reason why it couldn't compete with $600 or higher units, I just didn't have a way to substantiate that high of an impression. I can say with confidence that it's quality and performance suggest to me that it CAN compete at that level, but like I said in the review, I wouldn't go as far as expecting it too.

I know that the Zero represents a change in inexpensive audio from China. Much like Little-Dot and many portable units, the desire to produce quality audio that satisfies the end user has come into focus with great speed. I also realize this may upset some audio users especially if it seems to "fly in the face of established norms". I just hope that a few long time members with unbiased views, purchase the Zero and share with others how great a unit it is.
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post #74 of 9226
12/10/07 at 12:30pm
Thread Starter 
One thing I have upgraded on my Zero is the volume knob. The stock one is OK, but light weight. I like to have a heavier knob so I can feel the smoothness of the pot. If you look at my pics in the review, you will see the upgraded knob on the unit.

If anyone is interested in the same upgrade, here is the link to that knob:
http://www.partsconnexion.com/catalo...sandknobs.html

Scroll down the page until you see the knob and this line:
KNOBS- 64392 Solid Brass - matte silver, 6mm - shaft diameter with Allen/socket screw mount 26 $13.75
The pic on their site makes the knob look tapered, but it isn't. It has a nice notch cut in it so you can feel where the knob is in relation to the volume you are hearing. This is great if you like listening in low light situations.
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post #75 of 9226
12/10/07 at 2:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Penchum View Post
Hi! I guess I'm a little unsure of what you mean by weight. With the default Opamp, it brings out the best of your clean source. I would call it transparent, pure amplification. With a Opamp change, you can make it sound more like a tube amp, super crystal clear solid state and many more. Does that help?
perhaps a better way to describe the sound that I'm looking for would be to say that I want something that adds body to the sound, the sound I am experiencing out of my soundcard is thin. From what I understand perhaps I am better off getting a tube amp, I have been thinking about a darkvoice 336i. I have very little experience soldering so dont know how easy it would be for me to change opamps, but I imagine changing a tube would be easy as unplugging it.
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