digiZoid ZO2.3 Impression & Discussion Thread

[danny93]

 
My lil review of the ZO2.3 which ive had for a few weeks now and can already say that from now on i will be listening to all my music be it out and about with IEM´s or at home with my Titanium HD and DT770´s
 
First off I would just like to say how portable this setup is...the ZO2 is TINY...very small in all dimensions, and coming from the Fiio E11 this was a major plus in my book as i hate carrying around a brick, and this setup is very portable IMO! Its light too which helps allot also, and the thing looks lovely with the coloured light sowing what bass contour and volume you have set!
 
I know what your all thinking at this time...light and small... it must be crap and have poor build quality...but no, its a fantastically made little thing, nice soft to touch rubberised material, like what Bitfenix uses on their PC cases.
 
there are 2 gain modes...high gain and low gain...I am using low gain to try and proect my hearing as with the high gain i was creeping the volume higher and higher as if you continue reading the thing is just so immersive, and when pausing for a minute i soon realised volume was excessive to say the least LOL 
 
Now for the most important thing...what it does to the sound:
 
Now this is coming from a guy who is not a big amp person...and before my time with the ZO2 the Fiio E11 and E9 I had a while back I thought that it didnt really offer much to the sound out of easy to drive stuff like IEM´s but this is where the ZO2 comes into its own. This thing ads so much musicality to your music it makes everything sound much more fun and i am finding myself tapping my feet to literally everything i throw at it...and this is right up my alley, but maybe not to those who want to keep things neutral.
 
The seemingly litmitless bass contour settings is fantastic...it can transform most bass light IEM´s into basshead territory, and good quality bass at that, with zero distortion, its quite unreal how it manages to do this!
 
Besides working wonders in the bass area...the overall addition to the SQ throughout the entire ferquency is great...bass does NOT bleed into the mids, and they sound more "liquid" for lack of a better term, the highs seems to extend a little better too which was a great surprise for me! The soundstage has improved slightly too, which when paired with the Sony WM-Z the synergy is just great...Trance has never sounded better...and form a portable source this is just crazy! Im beginning to listen to this setup more than my Creative Titanium HD at home...as i just dont feel i am loosing out on anything which is unreal for the small price the ZO2 is which transforms the Sony WM-Z from a good sounding DAP to a great one...there is really nothing that is negatively affected by the ZO2...and its not just for bassheads as it does add to the other areas of the music! 
 
Another totally strange thing i noticed with this amp is how it sounds great from the headphone out of the WM-Z aswel as the LOD...and so i grabbed a cable from Matez to compare against the Fiio L5 and i actually prefer the sound from the HP out, although there is probably a tad more detail from the LOD there is greater warmth and muicality from the HP out...and when paired with the ZO2 the synergy is just great...the most fun sounding setup i have heard, and I use CKS77´s with this setup and i must say people need to try this out for themselves...i have never been immersed in my music like this before...this is the definition of fun LOL! And a dream for bassheads...I honestly didnt think that music could have such authoritive bass whilst retaining so much detail and finesse, it really is unreal. Doesnt quite have the same effect with other IEM´s i tried so i highly reccomend some CKS77´s if anyone is thinking of getting some new IEM´s or even headphones as the depth this setup posses you would never think could be posible from a driver of 12mm in size...its like having a 2.1 setup in your head...check out the thread for how Dsnuts was banging on about this but there is no better way to describe this sound...sorry to have gone off topic but i dont think the full ZO2 experience can be heard without the CKS77´s haha 
 
Sorry to go off topic a little toward the end but go get yourslef a ZO2.3 and CKS77! 

 

 
 
 

 

[MizMoxie]

 
Quote:

I posted my impressions of the ZO2 here...post #1513 a little lengthy though, so didnt want to clog up another thread lol 
 

 
No, you should def post it here, as well as in the reviews section...please!! 

 

[danny93]

 
Quote:

No, you should def post it here, as well as in the reviews section...please!! 

 
Ok will do...

 

[RPGWiZaRD]

I must admit, any headphone I plug ZO to just increases the enjoyment factor by a hugeload... I can even take my crappiest pair of headphones around and start enjoying them more than the headphones costing say 5x+ more if comparing ZOless. It's crazy.
 
It's a shame the first proper IEMs I bought, the ATH-CKS77 have too much hissing for my taste though but these are exceptionally easy driven IEMs so should have known better.

 

[danny93]

 
Quote:

I must admit, any headphone I plug ZO to just increases the enjoyment factor by a hugeload... I can even take my crappiest pair of headphones around and start enjoying them more than the headphones costing say 5x+ more if comparing ZOless. It's crazy.
 
It's a shame the first proper IEMs I bought, the ATH-CKS77 have too much hissing for my taste though but these are exceptionally easy driven IEMs so should have known better.

 
I really dont find the hissing that bad...if its on low gain with music playing i dont hear any...even if the music is quiet 

 

[RPGWiZaRD]

 
Quote:

 
 
I really dont find the hissing that bad...especially if its on low gain with music playing 

 
Not on low gain no but in high gain yea... also I'm not talking about when music playing, don't expect any IEMs to cause so much hissing it would be a prob with music playing but with no music on. I'm not listening on the go or take them out if I'm not listening either, just sitting at the comp so then it becomes bothersome when no music is playing.

 

[Totally Dubbed]

 
Quote:

Not on low gain no but in high gain yea... also I'm not talking about when music playing, don't expect any IEMs to cause so much hissing it would be a prob with music playing but with no music on. I'm not listening on the go or take them out if I'm not listening either, just sitting at the comp so then it becomes bothersome when no music is playing.

 
Sensitive one aren't you tommy?
 
hehe

 

[Focker]

 
Quote:

I must admit, any headphone I plug ZO to just increases the enjoyment factor by a hugeload... I can even take my crappiest pair of headphones around and start enjoying them more than the headphones costing say 5x+ more if comparing ZOless. It's crazy.
 

 
EIGHT DOLLAR Altec Lansing IEMs...I pair those with my ZO and it's ridiculous how much better they sound. I know exactly what you mean

 

[miow]

lol. Really can't wait to get mine

 

[matryx]

Which FiiO accessory would I need if I got the ZO2 to listen to music with my iPhone 4? There's the the L1, L3, L9, and L10. Just not sure which one to get.

 

[shigzeo]

@matryx: You can just use the included cables from the zO2. They aren't nice to look at but they work from the headphone out without problem. Any line out dock will work with the zO2, matryx. 

 

[matryx]

Just went back and read the first page. Apparently the FiiO L3 is reported not working with the new ZO2.3 do I guess I'll pick up the L1

 

[miow]

Does the ZO2.3 has better treble than the ZO2.1? Cause the FiiO E11 highs are WAY better that the ZO2.1. I think I read about some improvement on some chip for highs on the 2.3... Am I wrong?
 
Quote:

3. An adjustment to the EMI/RFI filtering circuitry to prevent potential loss of higher frequencies.

 

[Totally Dubbed]

Quote:

Does the ZO2.3 has better highs than the ZO2.1? Cause the FiiO E11 highs are WAY better that the ZO2.1. I think I read about some improvement on some chip for highs on the 2.3... Am I wrong?
 

highs...?
As in treble?
 
If so then your getting mixed up with a transparent and warm sounding amp.
You got the zo2 or not now?

 

[RPGWiZaRD]

Quote:

Does the ZO2.3 has better treble than the ZO2.1? Cause the FiiO E11 highs are WAY better that the ZO2.1. I think I read about some improvement on some chip for highs on the 2.3... Am I wrong?

 
It's all about taste IMO, I like the ZO2's highs better, "more" isn't always better. FiiO E11 is a neutral/transparent/possibly somewhat bright amp (price concidered), ZO2 (no matter version) is a bit warmer/smoother/more engaging & intimate sounding amp. I personally take the warmer sound.