The "mod your Zhalou" Thread

[Ori]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cotdt /img/forum/go_quote.gif the zapfilter manual says that the minimum load it can handle is 75ohms, and the Denons are 25ohms, so it might not be good.

There is a mod to add an output buffer to the Zap for driving headphones directly. PM Epicurean for details.

 

[Crow]

Today I measured the output voltage from my Zapped Zhaolu. Using a 1kHz, 0dBFS tone, I got 3.10V on the right channel and 3.08 on the left. A bit higher than most CDPs at 2V or so..

I needed this information because I'm considering the Luminous Audio passive preamp, here: http://luminousaudio.com/axiomrca.html

The rig is custom tailored to the specs of your system...

Has anyone heard good things or bad things about this or passive preamps in general?

Thanks in advance...

 

[cotdt]

Crow, I've used it with the Zapfilter, and the preamp does its job (what else can I say?), but you will be controlling left and right channel independantly.

 

[Crow]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cotdt /img/forum/go_quote.gif Crow, I've used it with the Zapfilter, and the preamp does its job (what else can I say?), but you will be controlling left and right channel independantly.

Not a problem, I don't have a balanced setup so the single ended version has one volume control.

I suppose any good preamp would do its job reasonably well--namely, being as transparent as possible--but I'm just hoping that passive preamps would outperform my active preamp (G&W TWJ1) which I suspect may inject some noise and impurities.

 

[wixy]

Probably not the right place to post this question, but i'm hoping another zhaolu owner can help me out.

The headphone jack on my d2 outputs only one channel of sound with one pair of headphones, but with another pair of headphones it outputs two channels fine.

I'm pretty sure its not the headphones causing the problem because they work fine with another amplifier. I've also noticed the zhaolu wants to 'pop out' the plug on the headphones that only get one channel. The plug stays in but feels like it doesnt lock in securely.

What could be the reason for this? Is the jack on my Zhaolu faulty?

 

[abs@nilenet.com]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wixy /img/forum/go_quote.gif Probably not the right place to post this question, but i'm hoping another zhaolu owner can help me out. The headphone jack on my d2 outputs only one channel of sound with one pair of headphones, but with another pair of headphones it outputs two channels fine. I'm pretty sure its not the headphones causing the problem because they work fine with another amplifier. I've also noticed the zhaolu wants to 'pop out' the plug on the headphones that only get one channel. The plug stays in but feels like it doesnt lock in securely. What could be the reason for this? Is the jack on my Zhaolu faulty?

Your Zhaolu is fine. It has a common issue with Chinese components that some things don't fit together as good as they should. Your headphone amp is set too far back which causes issues with the headphone plug. I had this issue with one of my Zhaolus in the past and the way that I fixed it was to open the Zhaolu up and loosen the screws that hold the headphone amp in place and as I was applying forward pressure, re-tightening the screws back up.

Happy Listening!

 

[wixy]

Thanks heaps, just tryed your suggestion and it worked! Although I do have to rotate the headphone plug into a certain position for it to work, but at least I can get both channels now.

 

[fran]

Could someone post a pic of the 4 caps that need to be bypassed in a 2.5? there was a pic in #1280 but the pic is gone from where ever it was hosted...


Many thanks in advance.

Fran

 

[wixy]

Hey guys, I have another question relating to my Zhaolu. Whenever I turn the Zhaolu on, I lose reception to my digital set top box for my tv (only when the Zhaolu is in the vicinity of the set top box).

What could cause the Zhaolu to do this?

 

[Epicurean]

It's been about a week since I installed the AD board and my impressions have changed somewhat. Actually, I don't think I like the AD board that much. It does have the qualities I noticed at first like good resolution, great punch and bass, but to me it just really isn't involving at all. I can hear the sounds but I can't hear the music. Ok, that sounds lik BS but that is how I feel. I guess it is the fault of the smaller, slightly congested soundstage and slightly recessed mids compared to the CS. I think I'm going to switch back to CS board now and see how feel then.

 

[swt61]

I also prefer the CS over the AD in my Zapped Zhaolu. It's just much more enguaging to my ears. Get's the toes tappin'.

 

[jholtz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Epicurean /img/forum/go_quote.gif It's been about a week since I installed the AD board and my impressions have changed somewhat. Actually, I don't think I like the AD board that much. It does have the qualities I noticed at first like good resolution, great punch and bass, but to me it just really isn't involving at all. I can hear the sounds but I can't hear the music. Ok, that sounds lik BS but that is how I feel. I guess it is the fault of the smaller, slightly congested soundstage and slightly recessed mids compared to the CS. I think I'm going to switch back to CS board now and see how feel then.

Hi Epicurean,

I'm curious if you're listening with speakers or headphones?

Thanks!

Jim

 

[jholtz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by swt61 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I also prefer the CS over the AD in my Zapped Zhaolu. It's just much more enguaging to my ears. Get's the toes tappin'.

Hi swt61,

I have the same question for you as I had for Epicurean. Do you notice the differences between the AD and CS boards more with speakers or headphones?

Any other feedback you can give would also be appreciated.

Thanks!

Jim

 

[Epicurean]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jholtz /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hi Epicurean, I'm curious if you're listening with speakers or headphones? Thanks! Jim

I'm listening with my HD650s through my balanced CK2III, although I did try them out with my speakers also(2-way diy stand-mounted diy speakers with seas aluminum tweeter and midrange). The impressions with speakers is about the same as with headphones. With the AD the soundstage is smaller and seems to be located behind the speakers, whereas the CS soundstage was around the speakers. I'd say the CS soundstage was more 3-dimensional and kinda fills the room. I guess I liked the CS a little better. I primarily listen with my headphones though so I haven't done much comparison with speakers.

 

[jholtz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Epicurean /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'm listening with my HD650s through my balanced CK2III, although I did try them out with my speakers also(2-way diy stand-mounted diy speakers with seas aluminum tweeter and midrange). The impressions with speakers is about the same as with headphones. With the AD the soundstage is smaller and seems to be located behind the speakers, whereas the CS soundstage was around the speakers. I'd say the CS soundstage was more 3-dimensional and kinda fills the room. I guess I liked the CS a little better. I primarily listen with my headphones though so I haven't done much comparison with speakers.

Hi Epicurean,

Thank you for the very quick feedback. That is exactly the information I was looking for.

Best regards,

Jim