digiZoid ZO2.3 Impression & Discussion Thread

[krismusic]

I'm listening to my ACS T15's through an Arrow and Zo2. This combination sounds fantastic but probably artificially boosted.
To get this level of dynamics and detail without the Zo would be even better IMHO.
I could try an expensive pair of customs as I imagine this is what they might sound like but I am concerned that even this might not give such an exciting sound. Someone earlier in the thread mentioned that they find the Zo addictive. Am I heading in the direction of getting used to a boosted sound and that anything else is going to sound flat?

 

[RPGWiZaRD]

Am I heading in the direction of getting used to a boosted sound and that anything else is going to sound flat?

I'm having this problem myself, I'm addicted to ZO's fullbodied sound signature (the ZO2.1 I use even more so than v2.3). Hopefully that's a case of gain/amping and future ZO3 users will hopefully experience the same (or better). ^^ It makes "lean" headphones turn into fullsize speakers with lots of body, both to bass and everything else, gone is the "thin" headphone sound. This is what I've become addicted to with ZO why I'm looking forward to ZO3 that's supposed to be even better and a lot more powerful in the amping department too.

It's definitely coloring the sound of headphones to sound "bigger & more powerful" aka. "phat" but for me it's started to become like ZO-less the headphones sound "wrong" now. It's good for digiZoid though because I'm not even interested in other amps right now, well possibly as pre-amps. xD The ZO3 probably takes care of that though if it has that much more power.

 

[krismusic]

Hi RPG. Wizard.
Do you think that while the Zo makes mid price 'phones more pleasurable to listen to it is different when you move up to top tier 'phones?
The thing that gets me about the Zo is that it improves so much more than just the bass.
I'll either scrimp together enough to buy a pair of full customs or give in and look forward to the Zo3!!!

 

[krismusic]

Here's a thought. Anyone on here using the Zo with high end IEM's?

 

[chengsta]

I have tried the zo2.3 several times with my jh16's and I had to put them back into the closet every time.  It puts out a ton of bass, but barely more than my jds labs C5 amp.  Smart vector looks great on paper, but in practice it isn't all that great.  It's still just alot of midbass, and not that good low bass that I like.  It does change the sound enough to where it bugs me.  At the same bass levels, the C5 is just has superior clarity and bass detail.
 
I think that basically, the more sensitive the IEM's the better off you are with something else.  The zo2 though is awesome if all you're looking for is gobs of bass.  Also the lack of clarity at high bass levels is probably not that big of a deal to normal people. 

 

[krismusic]

Thanks for the reply Chengsta. To be fair the JH16 is a bassy 'phone from what I read. Possibly a little bit similar to using the Zo with my IE8's. Too much of a good thing!
With the T15's I am not just getting wodges of bass though. The Zo seems to perform the same trick as I have found with a sub in a speaker set up. By controlling the bass the other frequencies and separation are improved.
I think you are right though that the Zo is boosting the mid bass more than anything else though. That is probably what is bugging me about the sound. Thanks for the insight.

 

[RPGWiZaRD]

Wrong, it's actually among the more subbass focused boosts around:


 
At lvl8 we have as low as 35Hz centered bass boost! At lvl32 as low as 25Hz!!
 
But I prefer personally about equally much subbass as midbass why I usually grab headphones which sufficient midbass so when paired with ZO it won't be too subbass skewed.

 

[krismusic]

The problem may be that the Zo may produce those low frequencies but the T15's cannot reproduce them.

 

[MizMoxie]

  I have tried the zo2.3 several times with my jh16's and I had to put them back into the closet every time.  It puts out a ton of bass, but barely more than my jds labs C5 amp.  Smart vector looks great on paper, but in practice it isn't all that great.  It's still just alot of midbass, and not that good low bass that I like.  It does change the sound enough to where it bugs me.  At the same bass levels, the C5 is just has superior clarity and bass detail.
 
I think that basically, the more sensitive the IEM's the better off you are with something else.  The zo2 though is awesome if all you're looking for is gobs of bass.  Also the lack of clarity at high bass levels is probably not that big of a deal to normal people. 

 
 
Since I'm not in a position where I can comment on how effective/good zo's sub-bass capabilities are when compared to other products, I can say it was specifically designed to reproduce sub-bass. Btw… regardless of which kind of bass boost you use, other freq ranges will be affected in some way, shape or form. However, a key part of what zo's tech does actively works to reduce compromising the mid-bass and midrange freqs. More on that aspect deserves it's own discussion, which i'll have to save for another day.
 
Obviously zo isn't gonna be everyone's cup of tea. But my experience after trying it with oodles of different gear & systems, is that zo's performance can't be predicted with a certain type or category of headphone/iem. It really depends on the specific phones/iems you're pairing it with, as well as how you have the volume & gain levels set up in your rig (personally i find that's the beauty of the zo… it's versatility).
 
 
krismusic -  I think ZO3 may be exactly what you need to get the listening experience you're looking for (then again, I'm biased, lol). Not only has ZO3's overall audio performance improved significantly, it has an even greater amount versatility. It's essentially a traditional "transparent" amp, plus the FullSpec SmartVektor technology - which for now you could think of as a pocket-sized 1024-band EQ w/built-in soundstage improvement). I'm still trying to figure out how to describe zo3 without it sounding too "gimmicky", and for now, it's the most relatable thing I've come up with! 

 

[Oregonian]

   
 
Since I'm not in a position where I can comment on how effective/good zo's sub-bass capabilities are when compared to other products, I can say it was specifically designed to reproduce sub-bass. Btw… regardless of which kind of bass boost you use, other freq ranges will be affected in some way, shape or form. However, a key part of what zo's tech does actively works to reduce compromising the mid-bass and midrange freqs. More on that aspect deserves it's own discussion, which i'll have to save for another day.
 
Obviously zo isn't gonna be everyone's cup of tea. But my experience after trying it with oodles of different gear & systems, is that zo's performance can't be predicted with a certain type or category of headphone/iem. It really depends on the specific phones/iems you're pairing it with, as well as how you have the volume & gain levels set up in your rig (personally i find that's the beauty of the zo… it's versatility).
 
 
krismusic -  I think ZO3 may be exactly what you need to get the listening experience you're looking for (then again, I'm biased, lol). Not only has ZO3's overall audio performance improved significantly, it has an even greater amount versatility. It's essentially a traditional "transparent" amp, plus the FullSpec SmartVektor technology - which for now you could think of as a pocket-sized 1024-band EQ w/built-in soundstage improvement). I'm still trying to figure out how to describe zo3 without it sounding too "gimmicky", and for now, it's the most relatable thing I've come up with! 

So thanks for popping in but what we all want to know is when is the ZO3 coming out?  It was supposed to be around an Xmas launch..................and we would have bought one for Xmas presents to ourselves.  Update please..................and thanks in advance. 

 

[MizMoxie]

So thanks for popping in but what we all want to know is when is the ZO3 coming out?  It was supposed to be around an Xmas launch..................and we would have bought one for Xmas presents to ourselves.  Update please..................and thanks in advance. 

I know... I know. *Bows down head in shame*
An update from me is long overdue. but to give u the latest & greatest info, I need to get an update from the professor first (yes, that's what his friends call him). If for some reason u don't hear from me later today, I'm granting you official "incessant poke and prod privileges" lol

 

[RPGWiZaRD]

Amp transparent mode (disabled SmartVektor tech) + FullSpec SmartVektor tech + 1024-band EQ + soundstage improvement (Crossfading?) Wow! But can you also go negative values with the EQing?



The versatility of this thing is unlike any other portable amp. I've many times thought about getting a hardware EQ but good 31 band EQs cost usually like $250 or so and they are big as a DVD player. With ZO3 it maybe wouldn't even be needed. =)

 

[krismusic]

Hi Mixmoxie. I'm definitely in for the Zo3. I am impressed with the smartvector tech. Just haven't managed to get to that sweet spot where I can relax and forget the equipment.

 

[MizMoxie]

  Amp transparent mode (disabled SmartVektor tech) + FullSpec SmartVektor tech + 1024-band EQ + soundstage improvement (Crossfading?) Wow! But can you also go negative values with the EQing?

 
 
First, the soundstaging isn't anything remotely close to crossfading, so using the term "soundstage improvement" is the best way I've been able to convey the benefits of whatever you want to call the process (again, I find myself coming back to the "what do you call it, and how do you describe it issue, LOL).
 
When it comes to attenuating certain frequencies (what you refer to as "go negative"), it's unfortunately not what the technology was designed to do, so at this point in time it really isn't an option. However, with future versions (where the "EQing" aspect can be completely user-controlled and customized), it may be feasible. But we'll see… 

 

[krismusic]

So, when is it going to be available? 

 Not that we want it before it's ready!