[atomicbob]

  It really is a ZDSE. Bought it used through a middle man, so I don't even know how old it is - just that it looks nearly spotless and that the previous owner didn't use it much. I don't even know how old it is.
 
Not that I'd be able to give any useful impressions yet anyway. It feels... "just right" for lack of better words. It's in control and effortless, with a tiny touch of that sweet single ended class A magic that my ears just love.

Congratulations! I'd take any Eddie Current amp over a whole slew of other mfg's offerings. Favoring OTL, the EC Zana Deux series are clearly great amps.

 

[TMoney]

I'm glad you are enjoying it, Songmic. Try modding those HD800s already if you haven't yet. It makes all the difference in the world.

 

[AppleheadMay]

   
It took me roughly 6 weeks from placing order to delivery.
 
Yes, I received a ZDS. You can tell a ZDS from a ZDSE easily by checking the height of the two black capacitors (between the two 6C33C tubes). The ZDS's caps are nearly twice as tall as those of the ZDSE.
 
That being said, I think it's a little too early to post impressions as I'm burning in the unit, but here goes. Keep in mind that I also used to own the ZDSE, and while I don't have it now for direct A/B, I've lived with it long enough to know its sound sig and especially how it sounds with HD650/800.
 
Compared to the ZDSE, the ZDS definitely has a smoother, less fatiguing treble which becomes evident when using the HD800. The ZDSE was arguably the most euphonic sounding amp of the EC lineup but ironically it presented the sharpest treble. I still cringed a bit with the ZDSE/HD800 on certain recordings. While the ZDS doesn't entirely take away the sibilance associated with HD800, it does a better job than the ZDSE did.
 
Also, the ZDS is less euphonic than the ZDSE by comparison. I do enjoy a touch of warmth and euphony to my music but with the ZDSE I felt that it was a bit too much occasionally. While the ZDS still remains an euphonic, warm-sounding amp, not as much as the ZDS was. This could be a good thing or a bad thing depending on your musical tastes. Personally, with the HD650 I think it's definitely a good thing as the HD650 is already a bit warm/dark, and pairing with the ZDSE could result in an overly constipated sound.
 
As for the HD800 which is bright, people's opinions might differ, but do note what I said above: the ZDS may sound less warm and euphonic than the ZDSE but it actually presents a smoother, less fatiguing treble. Taking this into consideration, I feel the ZDS is actually a much better match with the HD800 as it tames its otherwise cringeworthy treble without compromising its ultra imaging/resolution/detail retrieval qualities with euphony galore.
 
And overall, the ZDS has a noticeably increased transparency/resolution compared to the ZDSE across the board. This might be attributable in part to what I said earlier about the ZDS being less euphonic, but nevertheless it is a significant improvement.
 
To sum things up, I don't regret selling the ZDSE and if I had known the ZDS was this much better for only $100 more I would've sold it and upgraded to ZDS without hesitation. The improvement from ZDSE to ZDS definitely isn't minor like what one would expect from HD600 to HD650, rather it feels like it's in one league above its predecessor, for instance going from HD650 to HD800. I would've guessed an amp sounding this good would cost over $3K, so it's definitely a great value buy for me.
 
Please take what I'm saying above with a grain of salt or two, since I haven't actually compared them directly and am using different DAC's (I had used Metrum Hex for ZDSE, currently I'm using Schiit Yggy for ZDS).

 
I owned both as well and largely agree with your impressions. I did enjoy my ZDSE a lot as well when I had it which is why I bought another one. I actually ordered a ZDSE for the second one but while mine was being made Craig just released the ZDS and upgraded mine at no extra cost. Keep in mind that my ZDSE might have sounded different somehow, it was a balanced one which according to Craig "pushed the ZDSE to another level".
 

  It really is a ZDSE. Bought it used through a middle man, so I don't even know how old it is - just that it looks nearly spotless and that the previous owner didn't use it much. I don't even know how old it is.
 
Not that I'd be able to give any useful impressions yet anyway. It feels... "just right" for lack of better words. It's in control and effortless, with a tiny touch of that sweet single ended class A magic that my ears just love.

 
Going by the serial number I'd say 4 years old. And yes it has some kind of magic doesn't it!
 

  Several key points:
1. which 6SL7 did you use with the ZDSE? That can have an effect on the ZDSE sound signature
2. which 6SL7 are you using with the ZDS?
3. Yggdrasil has a considerably different sound signature than the Metrum Hex which also may have contributed to system overall presentation 
 
I was able to hear the ZDS briefly under meet conditions (too noisy and distracted, not the same DAC) so I wish I could hear it again in comparison with my ZDSE. However, the ZDSE wtih a Sophia Electric 6SL7 and A/B/C listening with Yggdrasil, Gungnir MB and Vega on inputs 1, 2 and 3, only the Vega gives a little edginess. The GuMB is the DAC to which I spend most of my time listening these days. I tend to alternate between the Sophia 6SL7 and a Philips 1952.

 
Same two tubes I have been alternating between for the last few months. Green lettering on the Philips?
Since I'm going to separate my Marantz + B&W speaker setup from my headphone rig I'm planning the purchase of an Yggy for my headphone rig as well.

 

[AnakChan]

I'm glad you are enjoying it, Songmic. Try modding those HD800s HD800's already if you haven't yet. It makes all the difference in the world.

 
Fixed it for ya! Or just get the HD800s .

 

[songmic]

 
Several key points:
1. which 6SL7 did you use with the ZDSE? That can have an effect on the ZDSE sound signature
2. which 6SL7 are you using with the ZDS?
3. Yggdrasil has a considerably different sound signature than the Metrum Hex which also may have contributed to system overall presentation 
 
I was able to hear the ZDS briefly under meet conditions (too noisy and distracted, not the same DAC) so I wish I could hear it again in comparison with my ZDSE. However, the ZDSE wtih a Sophia Electric 6SL7 and A/B/C listening with Yggdrasil, Gungnir MB and Vega on inputs 1, 2 and 3, only the Vega gives a little edginess. The GuMB is the DAC to which I spend most of my time listening these days. I tend to alternate between the Sophia 6SL7 and a Philips 1952.

 
I used a NOS vintage Mullard ECC35, widely regarded as one of the best 6SL7 replacement tubes, for the ZDSE. With the ZDS I'm using the stock Tung-Sol tube. Even then the ZDS was better by leaps and bounds.
 
You're right, the difference in DAC's could definitely have contributed to the system. Both are TOTL R-2R ladder DAC's but one is NOS while the other uses a proprietary closed-form filter. Personally, I prefer the transparent and detailed sound of Yggy over the relatively warm, forgiving sound of the Hex.
 
I'm going to try tube rolling with the ZDS and see if it takes it to another level as it did with my ZDSE.

 

[atomicbob]

  Same two tubes I have been alternating between for the last few months. Green lettering on the Philips?
Since I'm going to separate my Marantz + B&W speaker setup from my headphone rig I'm planning the purchase of an Yggy for my headphone rig as well.

Yes, green lettering on the Philips. Great sounding tubes! Yggdrasil and ZDS should provide an extraordinary experience. When I acquired my Ygg and connected to my lowly ZDSE, I spent (and continue to spend) many hours re-exploring the music library. Although I find the Gungnir MB and ZDSE a better combination. Maybe the GuMB compensates for the slight treble edginess some dislike about the ZDSE.

 

[AppleheadMay]

  Yes, green lettering on the Philips. Great sounding tubes! Yggdrasil and ZDS should provide an extraordinary experience. When I acquired my Ygg and connected to my lowly ZDSE, I spent (and continue to spend) many hours re-exploring the music library. Although I find the Gungnir MB and ZDSE a better combination. Maybe the GuMB compensates for the slight treble edginess some dislike about the ZDSE.

 
Yep, great tubes indeed. It's not the first time I hear people talking aboput that tube. I wonder what their actual name is and where to find more. I got mine as an extra tube from Craig instead of a second stock TungSol. Wouldn't mind getting me a spare or two from those.
I do love the sound of the Sophia as well though and it looks gorgeous with the new high caps of the ZDS.
 
Good to hear about the Yggy, actually I hear nothing but good from that Dac. And I love the three outputs, fits perfectly in my grand masterscheme.
I wonder if they will ever make them in black. If you check their Gumby page you get a dropdown for the choice of finish but for now only silver is listed. No idea if that dropdown has always been there or not, else it could indicate black is coming.
 
By the way, have you ever heard the Mjolnir 2 and the Black Widow? If so how do they compare?

 

[songmic]

 
Yep, great tubes indeed. It's not the first time I hear people talking aboput that tube. I wonder what their actual name is and where to find more. I got mine as an extra tube from Craig instead of a second stock TungSol. Wouldn't mind getting me a spare or two from those.
I do love the sound of the Sophia as well though and it looks gorgeous with the new high caps of the ZDS.
 
Good to hear about the Yggy, actually I hear nothing but good from that Dac. And I love the three outputs, fits perfectly in my grand masterscheme.
I wonder if they will ever make them in black. If you check their Gumby page you get a dropdown for the choice of finish but for now only silver is listed. No idea if that dropdown has always been there or not, else it could indicate black is coming.
 
By the way, have you ever heard the Mjolnir 2 and the Black Widow? If so how do they compare?

 
Haven't heard the Mjolnir 2 but the BW was the best-sounding SS amp I've heard to date. Keep in mind that the production version of BW has yet to be released and what I got to listen to was a prototype run that was limited to around 10 units or so. The production BW is slated to be released early next year, with a single chassis in the same dimension as that of Mjolnir 2 and Gumby with an improved higher current in-built PSU.
 
That being said, I felt that even the prototype BW was better sounding than the ZDSE that I remember, and actually performs close to the level of ZDS. The reason the ZDSE was upgraded to ZDS was because even the folks at EC admitted that the BW outperforms the ZDSE in many regards, and it wouldn't make sense to continue selling the ZDSE at double the price of BW while sounding not as good.
 
I wouldn't be surprised if the BW destroys the Mjolnir 2. Many people who have heard both Ragnarok and BW have preferred the latter with most headphones. A tremendous value.

 

[songmic]

Sure enough, finding a decent vintage NOS tube like my previous Mullard ECC35 turned out to be a wild goose chase. Until I stumble across a good deal someday, I decided to settle with modern tubes for the time being. I ordered a Shuguang WE6SL7.
 
http://www.leisure-audio.com/Shuguang-WE-6SL7-Hi-fi--new-vacuum-tube-p253.html
 
Let's see how this compares with the stock Tung-Sol.

 

[atomicbob]

  Sure enough, finding a decent vintage NOS tube like my previous Mullard ECC35 turned out to be a wild goose chase. Until I stumble across a good deal someday, I decided to settle with modern tubes for the time being. I ordered a Shuguang WE6SL7.
 
http://www.leisure-audio.com/Shuguang-WE-6SL7-Hi-fi--new-vacuum-tube-p253.html
 
Let's see how this compares with the stock Tung-Sol.

I will be interested in what you think of the Shuguang.

 

[AppleheadMay]

  Sure enough, finding a decent vintage NOS tube like my previous Mullard ECC35 turned out to be a wild goose chase. Until I stumble across a good deal someday, I decided to settle with modern tubes for the time being. I ordered a Shuguang WE6SL7.
 
http://www.leisure-audio.com/Shuguang-WE-6SL7-Hi-fi--new-vacuum-tube-p253.html
 
Let's see how this compares with the stock Tung-Sol.

 
Me too, and how it compares with the Sophia.

 

[bazelio]

Any guidance on minimum headphone impedance and sensitivity that will work well with the ZDS ?
 
Or, another way, has anyone ever compiled a list of 'phones that are not good for pairing with this
amp?  I think, maybe, the HE-6 is a no go (?) for example.
 
Thanks!!

 

[doyouknowSBmean]

Any guidance on minimum headphone impedance and sensitivity that will work well with the ZDS ?

Or, another way, has anyone ever compiled a list of 'phones that are not good for pairing with this
amp?  I think, maybe, the HE-6 is a no go (?) for example.

Thanks!!

ZDS can't drive my HE6 well and that's also the reason I sold my ZDS to swag0matic12.
http://www.head-fi.org/u/438664/swag0matic12

ZDS does drive other phones quite well such as HD800 and TH900.

Unfortunately swag0matic12 told me that the USPS screwed the ZDS while he received it today. He is now might contact Craig for a service. I guess there must be a long time he can't enjoy it.

 

[bazelio]

Well, while you had it, how did the ZDS compare to the AGD Master 11?
 

 

[doyouknowSBmean]

  Well, while you had it, how did the ZDS compare to the AGD Master 11?
 

As for the amp itself. ZDS drives 800 and 900 better than M11 while M11 drive HE1000 better.