Eddie Current Zana Deux owners

[dweee]

Might have been mine which I sold about 7 years back. I had got it second hand and not sure the age of the amp.

Sounds about right, the first listing on AUS forums was in 2015. Its been well looked after haha and got it at a great price (1050 USD). I feel as if its found a permanent home haha.

 

[BournePerfect]

Hello friends,

Just another new proud owner stopping by ,

Only just received less than a week and haven't had a real sit down with it but just initial impressions right off the bat being that it is an endgame pairing with the HD800s and really helps them come alive.

I also have Utopias but unfortunately the cable is terminated to XLR. Need to get an adapter for 6.35mm ASAP haha, I'm being teased as I know they pair exceptionally too. Used to run them off Auralic Taurus MK2 (still love that SS amp to this day and don't think I'll part with it anytime soon).

Its an original Zana Deux with no L/H switch (#40). I'm like the 4th, 5th owner, its had quite the journey around Australia. Getting on in age but still works like a charm. Was given a ton of 6SL7 tubes. Picked up a GE-RCA 5691 redbase that should be coming in next week but not sure what else to get. This is my first dive into tubes.

Not sure if I have any real keepers here, these were all included with the purchase.

I'll report back when I'm more accustomed to the sound and not just giddy with new toy syndrome, though I have a feeling I will be contempt with no further desire to upgrade.

Nobody's heard an HD800 til they've heard it on a ZD/ZDSE.

 

[BlakeT]

Hello friends,

Just another new proud owner stopping by ,

Only just received less than a week and haven't had a real sit down with it but just initial impressions right off the bat being that it is an endgame pairing with the HD800s and really helps them come alive.

I also have Utopias but unfortunately the cable is terminated to XLR. Need to get an adapter for 6.35mm ASAP haha, I'm being teased as I know they pair exceptionally too. Used to run them off Auralic Taurus MK2 (still love that SS amp to this day and don't think I'll part with it anytime soon).

Its an original Zana Deux with no L/H switch (#40). I'm like the 4th, 5th owner, its had quite the journey around Australia. Getting on in age but still works like a charm. Was given a ton of 6SL7 tubes. Picked up a GE-RCA 5691 redbase that should be coming in next week but not sure what else to get. This is my first dive into tubes.

Not sure if I have any real keepers here, these were all included with the purchase.

I'll report back when I'm more accustomed to the sound and not just giddy with new toy syndrome, though I have a feeling I will be contempt with no further desire to upgrade.

Congrats and welcome to the club. I still love my ZDS. Not tempted by anything else.

For the 6SL7 slot, I really like my RCA 5691 red base and my Valvo CV569. Sold off a bunch of other 6SL7's after a lots of tube rolling A/B testing as these two tubes are superior for me.

I did finally break down and buy a Mullard ECC35 earlier this week, short base/tall bottle, as that is the only tube that still has me wondering, but it is on a slow boat to get to me.

In case you didn't know about this thread, you may find it useful:

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/ec-zana-deux-tube-rolling-pls-share.297795/page-41

 

[dweee]

Oh perfect, thankyou I was looking for something like this.

I have a GE RCA 5691 arriving next week (in pictures), and from what I can see reading around, I could be one and done with the RCA 5691 redbase.

Not sure if the GE RCA is different than just the RCA red base but I've found a pair that I'm not trying to secure. Should last me a long long time.

I'm also interested in the Mullard ECC35 but may bite the bullet down the road as a bit too costly right now. It is definitely fun to tube roll so who knows.

I found some gems in the stash, currently running Tungsol JAN 6SL7/VT-229 (in Zana), also will try Tungsol 6SU7GTY tonight.

 

[BournePerfect]

Best I found for the HD800 was the Sophias, but I didn't try everything.

 

[helljudgement]

Hello friends,

Just another new proud owner stopping by ,

Only just received less than a week and haven't had a real sit down with it but just initial impressions right off the bat being that it is an endgame pairing with the HD800s and really helps them come alive.

I also have Utopias but unfortunately the cable is terminated to XLR. Need to get an adapter for 6.35mm ASAP haha, I'm being teased as I know they pair exceptionally too. Used to run them off Auralic Taurus MK2 (still love that SS amp to this day and don't think I'll part with it anytime soon).

Its an original Zana Deux with no L/H switch (#40). I'm like the 4th, 5th owner, its had quite the journey around Australia. Getting on in age but still works like a charm. Was given a ton of 6SL7 tubes. Picked up a GE-RCA 5691 redbase that should be coming in next week but not sure what else to get. This is my first dive into tubes.

Not sure if I have any real keepers here, these were all included with the purchase.

I'll report back when I'm more accustomed to the sound and not just giddy with new toy syndrome, though I have a feeling I will be contempt with no further desire to upgrade.

Amazing find. The first time I saw and read about these was back in early 2010s. Seem impossible to own one at that time given scarcity of EC amps around my area but I've read about how well it pairs with hd800/600 series and been trying to get ahold of it. Unfortunately not many people are willing to let go of their EC amps and EC stops making them but I did manage to get a Studio B but I do still wonder how well the hd800 will pair with these. These things are built like tanks so you'll likely have many years to enjoyment to come. Do share your impressions with the utopia.

 

[Daniel Oshiro]

Hi Everyone,

A bit of a long shot here, but my ZDSE jack's locking nut on the collar (headphone jack) is totally stripped and I am wanting to replace it. I know, don't work on your own electronics, but I am hoping since it is a 3 wire connection, I can work on the amp without too much grief. My question is, does anyone know which wire is responsible for what? Craig has color coded the wires which is handy, but I can't seem to find a complete schematic.

Any recommendations with jack choices, wiring diagrams, or literally even moral support would be great.

 

[elwappo99]

I'm on the lookout for a ZD if anyone happens to have one sitting in closet not getting some use, please let me know. Not as interested in the ZDSE. Thanks!

 

[deuter]

I'am looking for a Balanced Act too

 

[KarlStromberg]

I am selling a ZDS on eBay if someone here is still looking for one.

 

[ardbeg1975]

Very quiet thread but recently joined the ZDS club having been an EC Studio B owner for several years. I am thoroughly enjoying this OTL amp with the HD800S. I’ve heard this headphone on probably 10+ great amps but she really sounds her best on the ZDS.

 

[chesebert]

Very quiet thread but recently joined the ZDS club having been an EC Studio B owner for several years. I am thoroughly enjoying this OTL amp with the HD800S. I’ve heard this headphone on probably 10+ great amps but she really sounds her best on the ZDS.

You just need a EC 2a3 amp and the balancing act and your collection of EC would be complete.

In terms of performance with 800S, I think BA with Elrog is bit ahead of/different from ZDS. CFA3 also drives 800S really well - you will need to pair CFA3 with a musical dac. With the right tube Aficionado also drives 800S well. I think all 4 amps are within striking distance from each other if using the right tube/pair with the right dac. If I have to pick the best it would be BA.

 

[ardbeg1975]

You just need a EC 2a3 amp and the balancing act and your collection of EC would be complete.

I feel I already accomplished that feat indirectly as I convinced a head-fi buddy to get an Aficionado a year or so back.

 

[ardbeg1975]

In terms of performance with 800S, I think BA with Elrog is bit ahead of/different from ZDS. CFA3 also drives 800S really well - you will need to pair CFA3 with a musical dac. With the right tube Aficionado also drives 800S well. I think all 4 amps are within striking distance from each other if using the right tube/pair with the right dac. If I have to pick the best it would be BA.

That same buddy has a custom CFA3 paired with a Musician Taurus R2R and loves it.

I’m torn on the BA as two 300B amps is probably my limit as the Icon 205D also runs 300Bs but is the best DHT amp I’ve ever heard (EC and DNA included) but only hits that peak with 205Ds.