Perfect transaction. Great communication, no drama, cable was exactly as described, well packed, arrived without delay. Very nice.

Hard to even wrap my brain around someone paying that much for a single blank tape. I’ve dwindled to what I showed you earlier, a stock of XGs that were bought when TDK sold them retail. So they were maybe five bucks a piece at a case price(?!) TDK SAX90 we’re about three bucks each, $30/case of...

Well, I’m pretty analogue centric, and have had a ZX-7 from new since 1984(?) and been completely satisfied. For a long time the deck being feed by a Linn LP12 and a decent record collection fueled portable music for car and Walkmans back before cellphones and streaming. Had Willy Herman go...

My current (good smelling) stash.

Ah, I get it. TDK SA-X90 and SA-XG90s seem to be my decks sweet spot. So that’s what I hunt for. Haven’t felt too confident bidding on Yahoo Japan. It been a minute since I worked/lived there and could shop directly for deals.

Congrats on your score! I too look for fresh tape to feed my hungry Nak. In cases like this have you ever considered the utilization of a snip software? The bid drops in just seconds before the end of an auction and doesn’t give anyone time to manually respond. Setting your limit ahead of the...

I’ll purchase that cable if it’s available. Thanks Rob

I’ll say that Craft Ears makes a good point. In my experience, burn-in only “polishes“ or fine tunes what character is already there. It will smooth out some harshness that can exist on a cable or some components that are new or haven’t been in regular use. It is not a cure all.

Or if one could be said to be “better” it is the one I’m listening to right now. :)

Those are gorgeous, and irresistible.

So well said

I my experience talking with many high-end audio product designers and builders, they often will not ship a product new, updated, or repaired until it has gone through a burn-in cycle. Gear changes with electricity running through it. Cables change, sometimes significantly with a burn-in...

Yes, please go on

Thank you Steve, that is certainly most kind and an offer I will take you up on.

Love to hear this. The EVO has been on my radar. My current audio kit runs a lot of the same tubes. So this could be cool.

I’m really surprised that there isn’t more action in this realm of audio reproduction with the headphone listening community. It seems that this group of listeners would have more to gain by dropping the noise floor of the mains than perhaps anyone else in the audio reproduction hobby. Running...

Felt it was a prerequisite. And appreciated quite a few of your observations along the way. Thanks. I believe this may start to make me a better Head-Fier, ZMF lover, and possibly give me some clue before I attempt to throw Watt dollars adrift. :)

Hewwww! I’ve just finally completed reading this entire thread. Recently received my first pair of ZMF headphones, Vérité Open LTDs. And I absolutely LOVE their look, their feel, their quality craftsmanship, and their way of making music. Also feel pretty certain this is only the first of...

I think I got my answer above.

I don’t want to take things too far off topic and perhaps it is because I’m new here, but could you explain what a OTC/OTL headphone amp is? You speak of the output transformer being the “primary determinant” of sound quality yet, my understanding of OTLs is they are output transformerless to...

Please don’t be valve shy Rollnrock. You are missing out on some very nice sonic qualities and the ability to roll in a very custom tailored sound to your ears. Plus the glow! (Birthday cake effect). I have had 0TL amplifiers and tubed power supplies in my kit for over 30 years and to the total...

I’m questioning about the SQ variant. Say, compared to other 6080 Mullards, is anyone familiar with the sound quality of this variant? I understand them to be factory select, measuring tighter, very quiet, and the same tonally as many good Mullards. That’s all. Not a trick question. Disclosure...

By chance, does anyone know how the SQ Phillips rebranded Mullard (Mitcham) 6080 sound?

Have this one on my radar for sure

Hi all, just getting into a better understanding of this ZMF VO family sound. And enjoying it immensely. I now have my first set of ZMFs. In fact, these are my first foray beyond real early Sennheiser or Stax into a real handcrafted HiFi headset. I’ve burned about two hundred + hours of music...