digiZoid ZO2.3 Impression & Discussion Thread

[RPGWiZaRD]

Yea I wouldn't put too much weight into everything you read, I know some people doesn't even properly test it using also headphone jack for example and only tests LOD which doesn't always work so well as it stands currently, LOD works great mostly with IEMs and low-ohm/sensitive headphones currently, Beyer DT770/80 is already on the border what I wouldn't expect to work well with LOD but what I'd think would work VERY well out of HO but then the end result becomes also more source-dependant too but like I said I love how ZO sounds out of Realtek onboard headphone jack so it won't necessary require a very expensive DAC.

 

[danny93]

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Yea I wouldn't put too much weight into everything you read, I know some people doesn't even properly test it using also headphone jack for example and only tests LOD which doesn't always work so well as it stands currently, LOD works great mostly with IEMs and low-ohm/sensitive headphones currently, Beyer DT770/80 is already on the border what I wouldn't expect to work well with LOD but what I'd think would work VERY well out of HO but then the end result becomes also more source-dependant too but like I said I love how ZO sounds out of Realtek onboard headphone jack so it won't necessary require a very expensive DAC.

 
Haha still havent come to terms with HP out...will hold reservations till it comes  
 
BTW what didnt you like about the DT770...im trying to decide if i should save up for some Denon D2000´s 
 
Very exited to hear the bass from this paired with my Sony Z1060 

 

[Totally Dubbed]

 
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Very exited to hear the bass from this paired with my Sony Z1060 

 
Btw, buy a cable, and an interconnect, unless you already have.
 

 

[danny93]

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Btw, buy a cable, and an interconnect, unless you already have.
 

 
I bought a LOD, is the bundled 3.5mm interconnect not good quality?

 

[Totally Dubbed]

 
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I bought a LOD, is the bundled 3.5mm interconnect not good quality?

 
There is not really much difference between wires.
I thought the Zo2 you bought came with nothing that's why
I would personally buy some interconnects in that case, AFTER you get the ZO2 in.
Some cheapy custom made ones, or some bog standard 3.5mm to 3.5mm GOLD plated ones.
 
The ones provided aren't even gold plated (at least mine weren't)
 

 

[RPGWiZaRD]

 
Quote:

 
 
There is not really much difference between wires.
I thought the Zo2 you bought came with nothing that's why
I would personally buy some interconnects in that case, AFTER you get the ZO2 in.
Some cheapy custom made ones, or some bog standard 3.5mm to 3.5mm GOLD plated ones.
 
The ones provided aren't even gold plated (at least mine weren't)

 
Gold plated or not, believe or not but the ZO2 included stereo cables sound great, they are very neutral/slightly bright but extremely clear sounding, probably very low impedance in those cables as everything comes out so clean. I'm not saying they are the best but let's put it this way, I've compared it to another pair of stereo cable I had lying around which comes with a set of TV speakers and it sounded a lot clearer in comparision to the other cable which was a bit muddy sounding in comparision to the ZO2-included cable.

 

[Totally Dubbed]

 
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Gold plated or not, believe or not but the ZO2 included stereo cables sound great, they are very neutral/slightly bright but extremely clear sounding, probably very low impedance in those cables as everything comes out so clean. I'm not saying they are the best but let's put it this way, I've compared it to another pair of stereo cable I had lying around which comes with a set of TV speakers and it sounded a lot clearer in comparision to the other cable which was a bit muddy sounding in comparision to the ZO2-included cable.

 
I don't want to start gold plated or not debates, nor if custom cables are worth it.
I just in the past (say with the ie7/8) had problems with silver plated jacks (interference)
 
I also heard a little more brightness and sparkle with a custom made cable over the fiiO or the ZO2 stock cable.
I've never been a real believer of custom cables, but after I got this one (even though the change is very subtle) it's nice to hear a little difference.
Bear in mind I only paid $9 for the custom cable, I'm not talking $200 ones lol. (i feel that's OTT) 
 
This is my experience and opinions

 

[danny93]

Quote:

There is not really much difference between wires.
I thought the Zo2 you bought came with nothing that's why
I would personally buy some interconnects in that case, AFTER you get the ZO2 in.
Some cheapy custom made ones, or some bog standard 3.5mm to 3.5mm GOLD plated ones.
 
The ones provided aren't even gold plated (at least mine weren't)
 

Nah I got it from another seller (UK one)
Hmmm...not even gold plated 

 can guess it will be very cheap and thin etc, so will probably just order a Fiio 3.5mm interconnect...I rather like their quality and price! If you know of anywhere cheap that sells custom interconnects them im all ears...usually charge an extortionate price though, and I just cant justify it (ALO Im talking about mainly!)  
 
Edit: just saw 2 posts above, and will give the stock 3.5mm a try first then...where did you get the $9 custom cable BTW...very interested at that price! 

 

[Focker]

So am I the only one who uses the ZO for movies? If so, you guys are REALLY missing out! If you want to blow your mind, fire up the film "Serenity" with the ZO in play...the bass will rock you to your core!

 

[Totally Dubbed]

I use the z02 for gaming
Tank rumbles hehe!

And the $9 is from a head-fi seller! Check my profile feedback, you will find the seller

 

[Focker]

 
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I use the z02 for gaming

Tank rumbles hehe!
 

 
Oh wow, that's gotta be intense!

 

[RPGWiZaRD]

 
Quote:

So am I the only one who uses the ZO for movies? If so, you guys are REALLY missing out! If you want to blow your mind, fire up the film "Serenity" with the ZO in play...the bass will rock you to your core!

 
I don't watch movies but gaming and especially listening to hardstyle is a blast with ZO2 + M-Audio Q40 and it's not cuz ZOMG TEH BASS VIBRATES MY CHEEKBONES but you realize what kind of bass and sound you've been missing out on, it's not out of order, to me it's just what always SHOULD have been there to begin with as it does it in a way that doesn't trump over the rest of the range, it's a very well integrated bass response.
 
I still prefer ZO2.1 over ZO2.3 though I must say, ZO2.1 adds an even more full-bodied sound signature as it seems lower-mids have more weight to them and the bass response is a bit punchier and overall the soundstage seems like more "in-your-face" so it's like more engaging to listen to (I'm a sucker for engaging sound signature, Grados basicly if they had better bass extension especially) while still keeping a good positioning. ZO2.3 sounds possibly a bit cleaner and leaner but less engaging, for me ZO2.1 gives me more enjoyment.
 
My taste is a forward sound signature but without emphasized highs, I like both bass and mids to have lots of weight and be a bit more "in-your-face" than relaxing and distant sounding, especially the lower-midrange should be nicely present for slightly "thicker" sound, ZO2.1 does this nicely to me, it adds the "meat to the bone" that M-Audio Q40 slightly lacks for my taste ampless.

 

[Focker]

 
Quote:

 
 
I don't watch movies but gaming and especially listening to hardstyle is a blast with ZO2 + M-Audio Q40 and it's not cuz ZOMG TEH BASS VIBRATES MY CHEEKBONES but you realize what kind of bass and sound you've been missing out on, it's not out of order, to me it's just what always SHOULD have been there to begin with as it does it in a way that doesn't trump over the rest of the range, it's a very well integrated bass response.
 
I still prefer ZO2.1 over ZO2.3 though I must say, ZO2.1 adds an even more full-bodied sound signature as it seems lower-mids have more weight to them and the bass response is a bit punchier and overall the soundstage seems like more "in-your-face" so it's like more engaging to listen to (I'm a sucker for engaging sound signature, Grados basicly if they had better bass extension especially) while still keeping a good positioning. ZO2.3 sounds possibly a bit cleaner and leaner but less engaging, for me ZO2.1 gives me more enjoyment.
 
My taste is a forward sound signature but without emphasized highs, I like both bass and mids to have lots of weight and be a bit more "in-your-face" than relaxing and distant sounding, especially the lower-midrange should be nicely present for slightly "thicker" sound, ZO2.1 does this nicely to me, it adds the "meat to the bone" that M-Audio Q40 slightly lacks for my taste ampless.

 

Totally agree. Ever since I bought my first Magnepans, I have no tolerance for over-EQ'd, bloated, inaccurate bass. Planar bass on the larger Maggies is fantastic, and I got spoiled by it. When I first heard the ZO described as a "subwoofer" type device, I didn't have much interest. Once I gave it a chance, though, and saw how well integrated the whole thing was, I was hooked. As I said earlier in the thread, whoever developed the "smart vector" technology truly understands audio. Every time I fire up the ZO with my Atrio IEMs, I'm in total awe of what Im hearing. The term you used, "full-bodied", is spot on...
 
I had no idea there was that much difference among the various iterations of the ZO2, though...I have the 2.3 model, so if the 2.1 was even better, then I'm even more excited for future Digizoid offerings.

 

[RPGWiZaRD]

ZO1 and ZO2.3 are reasonably close sounding if not the same, ZO2.1 is like a sidegrade (to me personally an upgrade) but I don't expect necessarily every1 would prefer ZO2.1 over ZO2.3 either but obviously it'll also depend what headphone you pair it with but yea people always have slightly different "optimal" frequency response curves too so it's not that simple but to my taste and Q40 headphones, the ZO2.1 is a better fit.
 
But ZO2.1 also have another important edge, battery life, while I'd guess ZO2.3 might have around 14~17 hrs battery life the ZO2.1 even is like 21~24, ZO1 had a poor 10~12hrs or so battery life.

 

[Grev]

^ Is it good that I have two ZO2.1 then?  haha  Also thinking of selling them...