[Sven2015]

aaah I love my new Z7M2.... both 80's albums of Yazoo are so clear and clean now....the headphones are perfect for analogue synt.

 

[darmccombs]

I wanted to thank everyone with their help, with all the cable suggestions. I think I am getting that sorted out, thanks to a member here, and through another cable source. Now I am on to Dac/Amps.

Right now I am playing Qobuz through a Macbook Pro (USB-C), and a 2018 iPad Pro (USB-C) as my sources at work. Of course I am using the Z7m2 headphones. For now, I am using a Chord Mojo as a DAC/Amp. It sounds pretty nice, but I am wondering... If I wanted to improve the DAC/AMP, is there anything under $400 (new or used) that beats the Mojo with the Z7m2? A desktop amp is fine. It doesn't have to be portable like the Mojo.

 

[purk]

I wanted to thank everyone with their help, with all the cable suggestions. I think I am getting that sorted out, thanks to a member here, and through another cable source. Now I am on to Dac/Amps.

Right now I am playing Qobuz through a Macbook Pro (USB-C), and a 2018 iPad Pro (USB-C) as my sources at work. Of course I am using the Z7m2 headphones. For now, I am using a Chord Mojo as a DAC amp. It sounds pretty nice, but I am wondering... If I wanted to improve the DAC/AMP, is there anything under $400 (new or used) that beats the Mojo with the Z7m2? A desktop amp is fine. It doesn't have to be portable like the Mojo.

i highly recommended the Gilmore Lite MK2.

 

[dpump]

Also recommend the Gilmore Lite MK2. Used from $350 to about $380. There were 2 in the classifieds here recently and may still be available. Burson Audio FUN also very nice. FUN can be a little more energetic depending on opamps used; Gilmore Lite MK2 is a little warm and so smooth and still very detailed. I have both and plan on keeping both.

 

[darmccombs]

i highly recommended the Gilmore Lite MK2.

Also recommend the Gilmore Lite MK2. Used from $350 to about $380. There were 2 in the classifieds here recently and may still be available. Burson Audio FUN also very nice. FUN can be a little more energetic depending on opamps used; Gilmore Lite MK2 is a little warm and so smooth and still very detailed. I have both and plan on keeping both.

Thanks for the recommendations. The Gilmore looks like a Amp, not a DAC/Amp. Would this mean my Macbook or iPad would do the D/A conversion?

 

[hifi80sman]

Thanks for the recommendations. The Gilmore looks like a Amp, not a DAC/Amp. Would this mean my Macbook or iPad would do the D/A conversion?

This bad boy has a 4.4mm out, so you can go balanced without a 4.4mm female to 2.5mm male adapter. Also can go wireless if you want some flexibility.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TXNDZHZ/ref=psdc_13880161_t2_B07ZK3M6XK

 

[darmccombs]

This bad boy has a 4.4mm out, so you can go balanced without a 4.4mm female to 2.5mm male adapter. Also can go wireless if you want some flexibility.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TXNDZHZ/ref=psdc_13880161_t2_B07ZK3M6XK

Thanks for the suggestion. I did consider this. It sounds like it would be a side-ways move sound quality wise though. I'd only move from the Mojo if it is a solid step up in Sound Quality.

 

[MarkF786]

For anyone that got in on the B&H deal over the holidays, it looks like they’re getting ready to ship.

MDR-Z7M2 for $298!

 

[cubed4life]

What makes you think so?

For anyone that got in on the B&H deal over the holidays, it looks like they’re getting ready to ship.

MDR-Z7M2 for $298!

 

[MarkF786]

What makes you think so?

They charged my credit card and Order Status changed to “In Stock, Order Sent To Warehouse”.

 

[cubed4life]

Nice!! Hope we get them by the end of next week

 

[purk]

Awesome news! Wonder how much is their margin selling it at that price.

 

[runssical]

Awesome news! Wonder how much is their margin selling it at that price.

I wonder too. Anyone know what the retail markup on audio gear is? I'm thinking maybe 3:1. So if the street price has dropped to $600 maybe the wholesale price is $200.

 

[CoryGillmore]

From what I can see, their cheapest z7m2 cable is $698. That is way out of my budget. Thanks for the suggestion though.

I bought a used Kimber for my Z7M2 used from the forums for less than $150 and it was the best thing I've done to my Z7M2. For some reason, the Z7M2 seems to be very responsive to cables, as you've found out. I noticed a big difference when switching from the stock Sony 4.4 cable to the Kimber from my Jotunheim amp/DAC. So much so that I'm certain I could pick it out in a blind test, if it were possible, because it does add creaking and microphonics compared to the stock cable. Nothing so bad that I would consider not using it though. I wasn't even a believer in cables before this purchase.

 

[purk]

I bought a used Kimber for my Z7M2 used from the forums for less than $150 and it was the best thing I've done to my Z7M2. For some reason, the Z7M2 seems to be very responsive to cables, as you've found out. I noticed a big difference when switching from the stock Sony 4.4 cable to the Kimber from my Jotunheim amp/DAC. So much so that I'm certain I could pick it out in a blind test, if it were possible, because it does add creaking and microphonics compared to the stock cable. Nothing so bad that I would consider not using it though. I wasn't even a believer in cables before this purchase.

I don’t believe you on the cable man! (J/k). The Z7 MKII is very solving headphones and I experience similar improvements from upgrade cables.