DNA Stellaris

[Drewligarchy]

I have a ZMF Atrium Open incoming shortly, and am curious about preferred settings with the Stellaris for those that have it. It’s supposed to like high impedance as it’s 300 ohm, so do you use the IEC 120 ohm output impedance, or something lower like 8 ohm? It’s going to have a balanced cable so I’ll be using that output. While I’ll use the XLR, do you use balanced drive or single ended drive with it? I realize this is basically a subjective question, and I’ll listen to both, but am curious what people’s experience are with what works best.

 

[P+D-MI]

All of the balanced outputs on the Stellaris are 8 ohms regardless of the settings.

 

[Drewligarchy]

would you reccommend running single ended to get the higher output impedance tha?

 

[Rhodey]

I have a ZMF Atrium Open incoming shortly, and am curious about preferred settings with the Stellaris for those that have it. It’s supposed to like high impedance as it’s 300 ohm, so do you use the IEC 120 ohm output impedance, or something lower like 8 ohm? It’s going to have a balanced cable so I’ll be using that output. While I’ll use the XLR, do you use balanced drive or single ended drive with it? I realize this is basically a subjective question, and I’ll listen to both, but am curious what people’s experience are with what works best.

I honestly don’t think there’s a best. I think it’ll come down to your personal preference. May just want to play around with the options. I personally liked senns out of the 1/4 off the stellaris. I know it’s not an atrium but they’re both 300ohm.

 

[michael2v]

I have a ZMF Atrium Open incoming shortly, and am curious about preferred settings with the Stellaris for those that have it. It’s supposed to like high impedance as it’s 300 ohm, so do you use the IEC 120 ohm output impedance, or something lower like 8 ohm? It’s going to have a balanced cable so I’ll be using that output. While I’ll use the XLR, do you use balanced drive or single ended drive with it? I realize this is basically a subjective question, and I’ll listen to both, but am curious what people’s experience are with what works best.

IEC with Atrium is .

 

[chrisnyc75]

would you reccommend running single ended to get the higher output impedance tha?

In my experience, the xlr & 1/4" outputs have slightly different sounds, in addition to different optional tweaks. Your best bet is going to be to just play around with them and see which jack & associated settings you prefer.

 

[Drewligarchy]

In my experience, the xlr & 1/4" outputs have slightly different sounds, in addition to different optional tweaks. Your best bet is going to be to just play around with them and see which jack & associated settings you prefer.

Very often the case! I haven’t used the XLR headphone puts very much, as the headphones I use with it are single ended drive, but I certainly have the adapter to go back and forth to figure out what I like better and than get a cable that makes sense.

Edit:
I received the Atrium on Wednesday, and while I enjoyed it with the Stellaris, I think I prefer it on SS out of the amp 23r. It leans warmer so depending on the configuration I felt tubes are too much of a good thing. The 23r gives it a little extra kick.

That said, I have settled on the stock configuration of the Atrium as my favorite. With different pads/mesh like the Caldera Ultra Perforated and/or the radial mesh I prefer the Stellaris. But, I liked the stock configuration the best because it was most unique amongst my headphones, and smoothest. Very enjoyable. It’s got a little color, but still manages to work with a wide variety of music - and works with rock in a way that’s more enjoyable than many of my other headphones. The biocellulose driver bass remind me of the th900 I used to have, but the mids, highs, and staging is much more refined and sophisticated then that headphone.

Still looking for other matches for the Stellaris, I still have the Utopia and LCD-5 which are both great with it, but may check out the ZMF booth to try some of their other cans. Also, given the synergy described with Sennheiser, I may have to at least try it with an 800 or 650 to see what they are capable of with a top tube amp.

 

[Swagsupply]

Hey does anyone know the differences between Stratus V4 and Stellaris? As far as I am aware they used the same transformer so is it just the caps?

 

[genefruit]

Hey does anyone know the differences between Stratus V4 and Stellaris? As far as I am aware they used the same transformer so is it just the caps?

I would contact Donald North directly and ask him. He's responsive and the best source of truth.

 

[Donald North]

Hey does anyone know the differences between Stratus V4 and Stellaris? As far as I am aware they used the same transformer so is it just the caps?

They use different coupling and bypass capacitors, different signal resistors, and different output transformers.

 

[Swagsupply]

They use different coupling and bypass capacitors, different signal resistors, and different output transformers.

Has the Stellaris had a change in output transformers like the Stratus or were the same transformers used throughout all of its production?

 

[Donald North]

Has the Stellaris had a change in output transformers like the Stratus or were the same transformers used throughout all of its production?

They’ve always been the same

 

[Hiyono]

I believe, Stellaris can have the upgraded pot while Stratus doesn’t have enough space inside.

 

[Swagsupply]

Does anyone know if it’s safe to use a 12AU7 tube like the G73R with an adapter in the Stellaris? Or a even a 6SN7 with an adapter?

 

[theveterans]

Does anyone know if it’s safe to use a 12AU7 tube like the G73R with an adapter in the Stellaris? Or a even a 6SN7 with an adapter?

It's better to email Donald about it