[ScottieB]

No I understand, and I'm not trying to say that there aren't problems, but consider how many have purchased Zero's and never posted a single word here - generally speaking people are much more vocal about their bad experiences, so when you come to a forum like this it tends to get blown out of proportion or seem worse to the average person finding their way here.

I'm certainly not arguing that something changed, and it seemed to happen around the time the popularity was really taking off... but at the same time, Zero's are still selling, and plenty of people are perfectly happy. I consider myself lucky that it went smoothly - in fact my only issue was with Audio-GD and my HDAMs (it was small and I was able to fix it - and learn to solder at the same time - AND they gave me a discount on my next purchase). Trust me I've been there before and been screwed before, but it all needs to be taken in perspective is all. Someone who's gotten screwed by buying a zero will have a different perspective, of course.

 

[csroc]

I agree that since the Compass comes in at $325 after shipping and Paypal fees to the US, it's not much of a Zero competitor. Still, it will be interesting to see what it does compare against. For many people there's still a need for the Zero or something like it, thus we have this thread!

 

[K3cT]

The real interesting thing for me is how a modded Zero compare against the Compass.

 

[Ben Diss]

Quote:

Originally Posted by K3cT /img/forum/go_quote.gif The real interesting thing for me is how a modded Zero compare against the Compass.

... and then against a Keces DA-152 or Corda Cantata.

 

[csroc]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben Diss /img/forum/go_quote.gif ... and then against a Keces DA-152 or Corda Cantata.

Agreed, I'm very interested how it does against other amp/dacs in that ballpark, in particular those two.

 

[les_garten]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottieB /img/forum/go_quote.gif No I understand, and I'm not trying to say that there aren't problems, but consider how many have purchased Zero's and never posted a single word here - generally speaking people are much more vocal about their bad experiences, so when you come to a forum like this it tends to get blown out of proportion or seem worse to the average person finding their way here. I'm certainly not arguing that something changed, and it seemed to happen around the time the popularity was really taking off... but at the same time, Zero's are still selling, and plenty of people are perfectly happy. I consider myself lucky that it went smoothly - in fact my only issue was with Audio-GD and my HDAMs (it was small and I was able to fix it - and learn to solder at the same time - AND they gave me a discount on my next purchase). Trust me I've been there before and been screwed before, but it all needs to be taken in perspective is all. Someone who's gotten screwed by buying a zero will have a different perspective, of course.

Absolutely, and my experience was like yours. No issues whatsoever. The Zero still seems to own this market to me. And if there were no QC issues would be unchallenged.

 

[les_garten]

Quote:

Originally Posted by csroc /img/forum/go_quote.gif I agree that since the Compass comes in at $325 after shipping and Paypal fees to the US, it's not much of a Zero competitor. Still, it will be interesting to see what it does compare against. For many people there's still a need for the Zero or something like it, thus we have this thread!

Hey, and then the Compass will most likely adjust in price $50 or more making the gulf larger. The HDAM deal was a two for one. I don't think the Compass can double.

If a FrankenZero and a Compass sound alike, I think the Compass is a better deal because the mod'd Franken Zero with Alps/HDAMs/Cap upgrades starts getting up there in price about $270 if you can do the mod yourself. If the difference is only $50 and no SQ advantage, then you have to look at the execution of the product and whether the support and QC is good. Zero gets killed on both of those points.

If the FrankenZero sounds a lot better than the Compass, well, hmmm, PP, Curra, and Penchum got to mod us up a Compass!!

 

[csroc]

Quote:

Originally Posted by les_garten /img/forum/go_quote.gif Absolutely, and my experience was like yours. No issues whatsoever. The Zero still seems to own this market to me. And if there were no QC issues would be unchallenged.

Agreed, if QC of the Zero was good then there'd be nothing to really complain about!

 

[katzer1]

Hi,

Can the Zero output to headphones AND rca (as dac, not pre-amp) at the same time?
I was thinking of having one set of headphones plugged to it, and the RCA output feeding another headphone amp I have and have a second pair of phones connected to it, that way 2 ppl can listen to music at the same time. Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Erez

 

[azncookiecutter]

Quote:

Originally Posted by katzer1 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hi, Can the Zero output to headphones AND rca (as dac, not pre-amp) at the same time? I was thinking of having one set of headphones plugged to it, and the RCA output feeding another headphone amp I have and have a second pair of phones connected to it, that way 2 ppl can listen to music at the same time. Any thoughts? Thanks, Erez

That is a negative.

 

[Pricklely Peete]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben Diss /img/forum/go_quote.gif I screwed up a couple of traces when I did mine. Luckily I could see them, so I just fixed it and all was well. It's real easy to do. Remember some components make connection from the bottom and some from the top. You have to make sure you have a good solder joint on the side that counts. BTW, I'm in about hour 200 of the burn-in. It's like a completely different amp already.

Man I feel bad when things don't work exactly to plan.

Ben I'm glad you have yours up and running, it'll sound pretty darn good once you hit 300 hours if you aren't there already when you read this. Shoot me a PM or post your thoughts on it please in the FrankenZERO thread when you have some spare time in the near future. I'd greatly appreciate that.

Prinz, the electronics tech should be able to find the fault for you really quickly (as in an hour or two, maybe less). There is only so much I can do Prinz without pics or the board in front of me but I do wish you luck in getting yours running..... Hopefully you'll have good news to report soon !!!

Peete.

 

[katzer1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by katzer1 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hi, Can the Zero output to headphones AND rca (as dac, not pre-amp) at the same time? I was thinking of having one set of headphones plugged to it, and the RCA output feeding another headphone amp I have and have a second pair of phones connected to it, that way 2 ppl can listen to music at the same time. Any thoughts? Thanks, Erez

I just got a reply from the ebay seller saying it is possible to output to both phone and rca, but I am inclined to take it with a grain of salt.
azncookiecutter or others who might have this amp, have you tried what I am asking about?

Thanks!
Erez

 

[ScottieB]

Quote:

Originally Posted by katzer1 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I just got a reply from the ebay seller saying it is possible to output to both phone and rca, but I am inclined to take it with a grain of salt. azncookiecutter or others who might have this amp, have you tried what I am asking about? Thanks! Erez

Well you can - just not at the same time!

 

[azncookiecutter]

Well, at least unmodified, I have not gotten this to work like that. It's either RCA or phone output, one or the other.

 

[prinz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pricklely Peete /img/forum/go_quote.gif Man I feel bad when things don't work exactly to plan. Ben I'm glad you have yours up and running, it'll sound pretty darn good once you hit 300 hours if you aren't there already when you read this. Shoot me a PM or post your thoughts on it please in the FrankenZERO thread when you have some spare time in the near future. I'd greatly appreciate that. Prinz, the electronics tech should be able to find the fault for you really quickly (as in an hour or two, maybe less). There is only so much I can do Prinz without pics or the board in front of me but I do wish you luck in getting yours running..... Hopefully you'll have good news to report soon !!! Peete.

I gave my zero to some electronics specialist.. three days ago. I'll get crazy soon, if he wont give me my zero back. Day after day he says that he doesnt have time or smth. :/ Yesterday we sheduled the phonecall on todays evening... he didnt call. person!