The MZ2 are an excellent buy. Better than most amps out there. The MZ3 are a little more of everything you hear from the MZ2 but easy to live with either.
I bought the MZ3 primarily as a preamp, but I did do a lot of listening with it as an integrated. My speakers are ~100dB but I think the 16 ohm nominal impedance was the issue. The MZ3 is 1W at 4 ohms so realistically would only deliver 1/4W to my speakers. I never felt comfortable running the volume over 85 even though it was always crystal clear even at full volume. But it just seemed the bottom end lacked authority compared to my other amps. I tried volume matching a 1kHz signal and then listening to a playlist with some bassy tunes. I’m not saying my phone app is that accurate but a couple dB on the peaks backs up what I was hearing. The Aegir is fine, but the PrimaLuna is just better. The Saga+ also showed some bass roll off compared to the MZ3. I think the Saga+ has more impedance variations. I didn’t realize what was missing until I changed. It’s hard to know which unit is responsible for which part of the sound, but they play well together and apart. PrimaLuna is an easy recommendation though. If I had gotten the integrated instead of a power amp I may not have found the MZ3.
Excellent. The drivers in the Z40 are RCA black plates in pre-amp tubes. And mullard in/out. I put in clear tops and Tele in/outs, but put a pair of mullars back in ont outs. The power tubes are el34 xf2... I have no desire to touch those. Yes, just made everything I had sound so much better. Incredible.
OK, just got back from my visit to LTA. As most of you know, the staff are among the kindest and most accommodating in the business. Very grateful to LTA!
I brought my RME ADI2 DAC, my ZMF VO Ltd, and my laptop with lossless audio files. My goal was to really take a critical listen to the MZ2 and MZ3 and I had the luxury of being able to A/B/A/B them, listening to the same music that I had pre-selected and determined to be sufficient to put each amp through the paces.
I may go into much further detail, when I have more time to type and reflect, but listening to the MZ2 first was great. I listened to about 12 songs and truly loved what I was hearing. Very strong and balanced, and impressively good separation and staging. Then I plugged into the MZ3 and it nearly brought tears to my eyes (very close, as music can be quite the visceral experience, if certain songs have personal meaning to you). Well, after listening to a few tracks on the MZ3 and going back and forth with the MZ2, it was game over for me. The MZ3 is now a must-have.
The detail in the MZ3 upper-midrange and highs are really captivating. The distinction and clarity, crispness, and detail in percussion and strings was incredible. The bass was very tight and yet quite present and (again) visceral to experience. My ears can absolutely, undoubtedly, and clearly tell the difference between the two units (both powered with the LPS+). If I had never heard the MZ3, the MZ2 would be completely satisfying. I did not intend to entertain the MZ3, due to pricing, but now I'm completely sold. I'm going to likely wait, save a bit, and buy one in the coming months. Not that I've had tons of exposure to all the high end headphone amps out there, but this is hands-down the best I've ever heard. This will be an endgame level purchase.
So do you only need a headphone amp? They are pre-amp... And the Z10...OK, just got back from my visit to LTA. As most of you know, the staff are among the kindest and most accommodating in the business. Very grateful to LTA!
I brought my RME ADI2 DAC, my ZMF VO Ltd, and my laptop with lossless audio files. My goal was to really take a critical listen to the MZ2 and MZ3 and I had the luxury of being able to A/B/A/B them, listening to the same music that I had pre-selected and determined to be sufficient to put each amp through the paces.
I may go into much further detail, when I have more time to type and reflect, but listening to the MZ2 first was great. I listened to about 12 songs and truly loved what I was hearing. Very strong and balanced, and impressively good separation and staging. Then I plugged into the MZ3 and it nearly brought tears to my eyes (very close, as music can be quite the visceral experience, if certain songs have personal meaning to you). Well, after listening to a few tracks on the MZ3 and going back and forth with the MZ2, it was game over for me. The MZ3 is now a must-have.
The detail in the MZ3 upper-midrange and highs are really captivating. The distinction and clarity, crispness, and detail in percussion and strings was incredible. The bass was very tight and yet quite present and (again) visceral to experience. My ears can absolutely, undoubtedly, and clearly tell the difference between the two units (both powered with the LPS+). If I had never heard the MZ3, the MZ2 would be completely satisfying. I did not intend to entertain the MZ3, due to pricing, but now I'm completely sold. I'm going to likely wait, save a bit, and buy one in the coming months. Not that I've had tons of exposure to all the high end headphone amps out there, but this is hands-down the best I've ever heard. This will be an endgame level purchase.
Yes, looking for a headphone amp. The other offerings from LTA appear more pricey, beyond the MZ3.
It says a lot that you weren't even planning to consider the MZ3 due to its price, but after hearing it you completely reversed yourself. I would describe such an experience as a "signature moment" in an audiophile's journey. I would humbly suggest that you enjoy it, savor it, and don't look back. I've had only 5 such moments during my 40+ year audiophile journey, so for me at least, they don't happen that often. Congratulations on yours.OK, just got back from my visit to LTA. As most of you know, the staff are among the kindest and most accommodating in the business. Very grateful to LTA!
I brought my RME ADI2 DAC, my ZMF VO Ltd, and my laptop with lossless audio files. My goal was to really take a critical listen to the MZ2 and MZ3 and I had the luxury of being able to A/B/A/B them, listening to the same music that I had pre-selected and determined to be sufficient to put each amp through the paces.
I may go into much further detail, when I have more time to type and reflect, but listening to the MZ2 first was great. I listened to about 12 songs and truly loved what I was hearing. Very strong and balanced, and impressively good separation and staging. Then I plugged into the MZ3 and it nearly brought tears to my eyes (very close, as music can be quite the visceral experience, if certain songs have personal meaning to you). Well, after listening to a few tracks on the MZ3 and going back and forth with the MZ2, it was game over for me. The MZ3 is now a must-have.
The detail in the MZ3 upper-midrange and highs are really captivating. The distinction and clarity, crispness, and detail in percussion and strings was incredible. The bass was very tight and yet quite present and (again) visceral to experience. My ears can absolutely, undoubtedly, and clearly tell the difference between the two units (both powered with the LPS+). If I had never heard the MZ3, the MZ2 would be completely satisfying. I did not intend to entertain the MZ3, due to pricing, but now I'm completely sold. I'm going to likely wait, save a bit, and buy one in the coming months. Not that I've had tons of exposure to all the high end headphone amps out there, but this is hands-down the best I've ever heard. This will be an endgame level purchase.
