- Joined
- Dec 27, 2010
- Posts
- 9,018
- Likes
- 1,769
I haven't heard the combination, but I'd expect it to sound really nice...
I find the micro Zotl extremely detailed but not etched but detail retrieval on even tape noise that I do not normally hear. This is with the Pioneer SE Master 1 and the HE1000. The Hugo is the dac or the 901s via dock. Bass is also not lacking on my setup with it going to the lower registers with impact and a cleanness to the bass that keeps it transparent in a way I do not often hear. IMO
I also generally agree with most of the review, but I think the part about it not being as detailed as more expensive amps was a bit unfair. I'd want to know, which amps, what details. Is it possible that amps for $2,$3,$4K by Cavalli, Ray Samuels, ALO, and others have more detail? I haven't heard any of these yet, but it wouldn't surprise me if they do. How much, how does it compare to the ZOTL, how much more MUSICAL enjoyment does the higher priced spread give, those are questions that the statement begs for answers to. Some detailed comparisons, maybe, if you've actually done the comparisons, would be useful information. Sure, I can post a criticism of my beloved Pono that, "it is not as detailed as the $30,000 Light Harmonic Da Vinci DAC", but does that really tell you anything about how good the Pono is? The bigger question would be, "how MUCH extra do you get for the extra $29,700", "how much musical enjoyment does the Pono provide compared to the Da Vinci?". I think the writer just felt he had to put something into the "negative" column.
With the stock PS, I have never found the sound congested. I wonder if something else is going on. And the tubes do burn in nice, the stock ones. I am using the CV4024 and some VT99's, round plate but even with all stock tubes I could be happy. How many hours do you have on the micro?
I just finished a long session with the MicroZOTL 2 and my vintage Denon AH-D700 (that's seven HUNDRED, not AH-D7000, which I also own). Computer You Tube music videos >>> USB output >>>> Arcam irDAC >>> MicroZOTL 2 >>>> Vintage Denons. Here's a picture of the Denons from a listing on ebay. I recently got new Brainwavz angled pads for them. (I think the new, angled pads boost the bass.) They're efficient (~30 ohms) and sound decent (meh) out of the computer. Different story with the DAC and MicroZOTL 2 in the chain. Certainly not a critical listen but it was fun, because they sound quite good, bordering on excellent. This shows that the MicroZOTL 2 can do great things with mid level headphones, and not just beasts like the HE-1000, etc. Pretty cool.
thanks for your short review....I had great interest in microzotl.... is the microzotl only a very good amp like many other very good amp in this price bracket or is the microzotl a little marvel for his price? that is the question ...And this reviewer said that the microzotl is a very good amp like many other .... then why buying it? that is the question i ask to myself after this review....i will wait some other review.... but the reviews i had read here in this thread all said that the microzotl2 is for his price an extraordinary amp....