[Sebastien Chiu]

At Munich High-End GoldenSound and DMS opened up the Zähl HM1 with Michael Zähl himself, and took a look the inside of this unique and exclusive amplifier.

In 2023, only 50 HM1s were made, with Headphones.com securing 25 units for North America. That shipment was has completely sold through!

Pre-Orders will open again when ETA is received for the next shipment. If you'd like to be notified, you can register here: HM1: https://headphones.com/products/zahl-hm1-reference-desktop-headphone-amplifier

 

[chronograf86]

That explains nothing but praises in the review from Goldensound for this amp

 

[capetownwatches]

That explains nothing but praises in the review from Goldensound for this amp

Methinks the young man might have been a little star-struck...Herr Zahl is a big deal in certain circles!

 

[Somafunk]

Herr Zahl is a big deal in certain circles!

Indeed, a mate uses a 9 channel AM1 mixer in his studio and I’ve had the pleasure of playing with it, wonderful bit of kit.

 

[superkalou]

Nice as a device!

 

[CT007]

Now make a bunch more!

 

[aokman]

Jamicon capacitors in an 8k amplifier…. Whaaaaaaaaaaat

 

[AnalogEuphoria]

Jamicon capacitors in an 8k amplifier…. Whaaaaaaaaaaat

Many people believe design is far more important than a bunch of “audio grade” components.

 

[aokman]

Many people believe design is far more important than a bunch of “audio grade” components.

It has nothing to do with “audio grade” snake oil audiophilea stuff. How about just using highly trusted brand name capacitors like Nichicon, Nippon Chemi-Con or Rubycon. Not Chinese garbage made by Teapo, lost count of the amount of caps I’ve had fail from this brand… Even 1k+ Chinese amps won’t use their own caps

 

[AnalogEuphoria]

It has nothing to do with “audio grade” snake oil audiophilea stuff. How about just using highly trusted brand name capacitors like Nichicon, Nippon Chemi-Con or Rubycon. Not Chinese garbage made by Teapo, lost count of the amount of caps I’ve had fail from this brand… Even 1k+ Chinese amps won’t use their own caps

Apologies I didn't realise they were cheap crap as I had not heard of them before. In this case then yes I agree an amplifier of this price range shouldn't ship with low quality parts.

 

[aokman]

Apologies I didn't realise they were cheap crap as I had not heard of them before. In this case then yes I agree an amplifier of this price range shouldn't ship with low quality parts.

Hopefully its just a prototype thing…. Hopefully

 

[Somafunk]

It has nothing to do with “audio grade” snake oil audiophilea stuff. How about just using highly trusted brand name capacitors like Nichicon, Nippon Chemi-Con or Rubycon. Not Chinese garbage made by Teapo, lost count of the amount of caps I’ve had fail from this brand… Even 1k+ Chinese amps won’t use their own caps

Michael stress tests and matches each component before use so if he deems it suitable then I’d be foolish to disagree, his mixers operate faultlessly in professional studios and under duress out on tour.

Zahl AM1

 

[Not so fat head]

I just can't help seeing this, and not just this, as trying to drive in a tac in with a sledgehammer. Beautifully designed but overkill none the less...
Meh...

 

[CT007]

I just can't help seeing this, and not just this, as trying to drive in a tac in with a sledgehammer. Beautifully designed but overkill none the less...
Meh...

Avoid DCS equipment

 

[sennsay]

It has nothing to do with “audio grade” snake oil audiophilea stuff. How about just using highly trusted brand name capacitors like Nichicon, Nippon Chemi-Con or Rubycon. Not Chinese garbage made by Teapo, lost count of the amount of caps I’ve had fail from this brand… Even 1k+ Chinese amps won’t use their own caps

Well, heck, I'm not going to dis the man and his creations, but in OZ this amp would retail around $10k or more and I sure as hell wouldn't want to see even the better Jamicon series caps in my $10-12k amp! That's like using electrolytic caps and sand-cast resistors in $5-10k speakers. I use Nichicons KG Gold Tune series in some of my gear and I know full well the improvement sonically it makes even over already good standard Nichicon fare. I certainly hope that this amplifier sounds truly amazing.