Be it Hitachi, RCA, Sylvania, Tung Sol … in LTA MZ3 there’s something about 12SN7 versus 6SN7 and equivalent (even 1578 / 6N8S). Other than voltage, that shouldn’t be … but my ears love it. [According to principles of aerodynamics, a bumblebee cannot fly …]
To George Hincapie: are you using an extra-long ‘umbilical cord’ between the LPS and the MZ3? In a photograph from another thread, the two looked rather far apart.
I been chasing these 12SN7 TungSol black glass round plate tubes and finally acquired them from local Head-Fier. They are as good as Melz 1578 or even better. I have to give the edge to the TSs for beautiful vocals and mids. They are a tad fuller and forward than the Melzs and everything else is equal. TS 12SN7 + Gec A2900 = Beautiful sound.
I truly love LTA MZ3. I do feel that, with its 2 ohm nominal output impedance, it does a better job with lower-impedance headphones (<= 50 ohms). If you want to go the tube h/p/a route, for AKG K340 I recommend Woo Audio WA2 - an OTL ($1499 new, $???? used).
I truly love LTA MZ3. I do feel that, with its 2 ohm nominal output impedance, it does a better job with lower-impedance headphones (<= 50 ohms). If you want to go the tube h/p/a route, for AKG K340 I recommend Woo Audio WA2 - an OTL ($1499 new, $???? used).
• When I use high-impedance headphones (Beyer DT880: 600 ohms, Sennheiser: 300 ohms, ZMF dynamics: 300 ohms), I prefer their sound when driven by a higher output impedance OTL tube h/p/a. Examples are Woo WA2, Woo WA3.
• When I use those headphones with LTA MZ3, I sense a slight ‘restraint’, ‘absence of blossoming’ in the sound -- possibly due to the effective high ‘damping factor’ from high-Z headphones / low-Z amplifier.
You might also contact LTA about your specific headphone pairing. They’ve tried a lot of headphones with their gear, and are quite helpful. For a slightly more budget friendly option, you might consider the MZ2. Also, sometimes it’s necessary to filter the impressions of some of the more experienced just a little. Sometimes the differences they discuss are beyond subtle and based on personal preferences developed over years and hundreds of different pairings when you include all the permutations of headphone, amp and tube rolling. I’m not saying they don’t provide excellent information and wisdom. It’s just that sometimes we’re not ready for it yet.
Because the K340 are so extraordinary that i bet they could benefit from The ZOTl...
The Sansui alpha has no fault but a tube amplifier is different.... The only one which interest me is the ZOTl... I want long span life with cold tube... I dont want to roll tube either...
The K340 need the quietest amp and one able to sustain his needs... My only problem is this one : is the ZOTL ideal pairing ?
Because the K340 are so extraordinary that i bet they could benefit from The ZOTl...
The Sansui alpha has no fault but a tube amplifier is different.... The only one which interest me is the ZOTl... I want long span life with cold tube... I dont want to roll tube either...
The K340 need the quietest amp and one able to sustain his needs... My only problem is this one : is the ZOTL ideal pairing ?
That is up to your own ears. No one can decide that for you though opinions can be a helpful guide but just a guide.
I had a friend who built a speaker system and loved the sound. To me it was horrible. Mushy, overly warm, no detail and you couldn't tell where anything was. We all have preferences.
My problem is i am stuck with the K340.... I will never buy another headphone to beat it.... It will be too costly anyway if it exist ... All my headphones are bad compared to it...
My problem is i want to know if the microzotl is able to drive them optimally ... but perhaps there is no K340 owner with a microzotl here...
Thanks for the replies...
Because the K340 are so extraordinary that i bet they could benefit from The ZOTl...
The Sansui alpha has no fault but a tube amplifier is different.... The only one which interest me is the ZOTl... I want long span life with cold tube... I dont want to roll tube either...
The K340 need the quietest amp and one able to sustain his needs... My only problem is this one : is the ZOTL ideal pairing ?
I'll be going to the Schiit meet on September 9 in NC. I'll get to hear what they have to offer. I'll be bringing the semi-hard to drive K340 with me. I'll report back with my findings.
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for beautiful vocals and mids. They are a tad fuller and forward than the Melzs and everything else is equal. TS 12SN7 + Gec A2900 = Beautiful sound.
I like my Tung Sol 12SN7s too!
