[hk29]

You should email LTA - they're really good and responding. If I remember correctly the sub out has an output stage in which they still recommended hooking up subs via the speaker taps to match the sonic quality of the main.

 

[Killerb]

Thanks for your response, figured out the sub outs. I decided to jump on the Z10e bandwagon by picking up a used unit and wowee what a great product. I was using it with a Stax SR-009 until it developed the dreaded driver imbalance. I was comparing it to my older SRM-007t energizer and there is no contest. I mostly look for great soundstaging and imaging vs a specific tonality and the Z10e just makes the music seem more present. Bass is deep and clean, mids are slightly forward and dead center, the treble is very shimmery and textured listening to Brian Blade on "Trilogy 2". I am planning on picking up another pair of earspeakers, anyone have any insights on recent model pairings (other than Stax). I love the Stax sound but customer support is not so good so thinking of a U.S. model like Audeze CRBN or Dan Clark Corina. Alternately, anyone have reliability updates on the Stax X9000? On another note, tried the speaker outs with my Kef R3 speakers and it sounds awesome with similar soundscape as my headphones and definitely enough volume for my listening room.

 

[laialbert]

I recently picked up a Z10e secondhand for a great price. I love the sound, but at lower volumes the sound leans out tremendously (more than I’ve ever noticed with any amp before). Is that just a characteristic of this amp? Unfortunately the point where the sound really starts to sound correct happens just above the level that I most often listen at. (This is with ZMF VO and HD650s).

 

[Clemmaster]

I don't notice it with my Z10 integrated? I sounds sublime at all volumes with JAR660S and AO.

 

[jamato8]

No issue with a thinness to the sound. I would try some different tubes.

 

[PaisleyUnderground]

I recently picked up a Z10e secondhand for a great price. I love the sound, but at lower volumes the sound leans out tremendously (more than I’ve ever noticed with any amp before). Is that just a characteristic of this amp? Unfortunately the point where the sound really starts to sound correct happens just above the level that I most often listen at. (This is with ZMF VO and HD650s).

I noticed the same thing on the z10E at CanJam Chicago last year, where it sounded like a filter was being applied to the mids and bass until I turned the volume up to a certain level. And again at Axpona this year. The MZ3 at CanJam didn’t do that, so I ended up buying an MZ3, and recently upgraded to a Ultralinear+, which doesn’t have that issue either.

Have you tried adjusting the gain in the menu to -15db to see if that helps?

 

[laialbert]

I noticed the same thing on the z10E at CanJam Chicago last year, where it sounded like a filter was being applied to the mids and bass until I turned the volume up to a certain level. And again at Axpona this year. The MZ3 at CanJam didn’t do that, so I ended up buying an MZ3, and recently upgraded to a Ultralinear+, which doesn’t have that issue either.

Have you tried adjusting the gain in the menu to -15db to see if that helps?

Unfortunately, I have tried adjusting the gain to -15db. I had been thinking of tube rolling anyway, so I've got some new 12AU7 preamp tubes on the way to see if that does anything. I could also try swapping those to the power amp side. If not those, then I suppose I could try swapping the 12AT7s (or the El84s, but those are definitely more expensive.)

 

[Omerg1]

Has anyone here got a chance to compare the z10e to Audiovalve Solaris?
The Solaris is also an all in one like the z10e and i wonder how they compare.

 

[KDS315]

Has anyone here got a chance to compare the z10e to Audiovalve Solaris?
The Solaris is also an all in one like the z10e and i wonder how they compare.

Be aware the the founder and builder of the SOLARIS Mr Becker has passed a few months ago, and it is not clear yet if there will be service for it in future…

 

[natemact]

deleted

 

[Jourdoktorn]

deleted

Hi there!

I am new to this fotum. I am very interested in buying a Lta Z10E after reading all forum comments here an otherwhere on internet.
I wonder, why are there not balanced outputs? Is it not possible? I am asking because I have about 25 feet from my headphone amp to my listening place.
Isn'tthis a little too long cable length for a single ended cable?

 

[SolarCetacean]

Hi there!

I am new to this fotum. I am very interested in buying a Lta Z10E after reading all forum comments here an otherwhere on internet.
I wonder, why are there not balanced outputs? Is it not possible? I am asking because I have about 25 feet from my headphone amp to my listening place.
Isn'tthis a little too long cable length for a single ended cable?

6.3mm TRS headphone cables are technically already balanced; the so-called "balanced" headphone cables are more like using bridged outputs, not balanced in the same sense as balanced interconnects. The benefits of common-mode noise rejection in balanced interconnects don't exist in headphone cables.

Benchmark Media had an explainer about balanced interconnects and if you scroll down this page, there's a section on how headphone cables are inherently balanced. They also posted about the downsides of using "balanced drive" headphone output in this blog post. While I'm personally partial to the 4.4mm Pentaconn connector, I don't see a problem with the use of only 6.3mm headphone jacks here.

 

[BlackSport350]

Hi there!

I am new to this fotum. I am very interested in buying a Lta Z10E after reading all forum comments here an otherwhere on internet.
I wonder, why are there not balanced outputs? Is it not possible? I am asking because I have about 25 feet from my headphone amp to my listening place.
Isn'tthis a little too long cable length for a single ended cable?

There is no issue with the long run as long as you are using a good cable. As far as the lack of a "balanced" headphone output, that in no way gets you advantages in long runs over a TRS (1/4") connection. It is not the same principle as a balanced microphone cable that may have to go hundreds of feet.

You will love the Z10e. I have yet to encounter a better amp that can do it all. It's great for dynamics and planners, excellent with electrostatics, and very good with speakers.

 

[Jourdoktorn]

So, I managed to find and buy a used Z10e just now. It was boughr from a very well respected member on this forum.
It was bough 2019 buy rhe seller and the serial number is "7". There are no subwoofer outlets, What I like to know is the status of the LPS shipped with the Z10e. The LPS serial number is also "7". It does not look the same as the LPS+ unit pictured from the LTA homepage. On the bottom it is written " LPS for mivroZotl2, Output 12VDC 2,3A.
The LPS+ unit is quoted at 12VDC 3A. The DC cable only has 4 pins, the LPS+ seems to have 5 pins. What are the differeces between my unit and the newe(?) LPS+? Should I upgrade to/buy the newer LPS+?

 

[jamato8]

So, I managed to find and buy a used Z10e just now. It was boughr from a very well respected member on this forum.
It was bough 2019 buy rhe seller and the serial number is "7". There are no subwoofer outlets, What I like to know is the status of the LPS shipped with the Z10e. The LPS serial number is also "7". It does not look the same as the LPS+ unit pictured from the LTA homepage. On the bottom it is written " LPS for mivroZotl2, Output 12VDC 2,3A.
The LPS+ unit is quoted at 12VDC 3A. The DC cable only has 4 pins, the LPS+ seems to have 5 pins. What are the differeces between my unit and the newe(?) LPS+? Should I upgrade to/buy the newer LPS+?

Why not contact Linear Tube Audio?