[UntilThen]

So are you a rectifier believer yet? If I recall correctly your GOTL was a HEXFRED design.

Pros and cons of solid state or tube rectifications. Tubes adds their tone in a nice way by way of voltage drops. Solid states are cleaner, quieter although at this level, they are all quiet.

So for my GOTL I told Glenn I would go with HEXFRED because I didn't know about rectifiers then and FRED sounded good to me.

For Odyssey, it's old school all the way, so naturally tube rectification.

For Telemachus, my amp will have dual solid state or tube rectification via a switch. Telemachus is an amp where old school meets new school. It will use Monolith Magnestics output transformers with covers. https://www.monolithmagnetics.com/

It's suppose to have fast transients with astounding clarity and 300b tube goodness. So eagerly waiting for next April.

 

[Monsterzero]

But my long-time reference for all my headphones is the Violectric V281, still my favorite overall amp. It's also a superb preamp--I use it as the preamp and #1 HP amp in my main desktop system:

I've been doing a ton of reading/research lately and trying to convince the missus I need a Niimbus US5 Pro. She didnt like that, so I now I'm focusing on the Violectric 550. Wish me luck

 

[AudioDuck]

refence for all my headphones is the Violectric V281, still my favorite overall amp. It's also a superb preamp--I use it as the preamp and #1 HP amp in my main desktop system
[snip]
If the Caldera ever finds its way here, it will get serious time on the V281 & LGX, both of which really light up planar headphones.

Violectrics are great, and it wasn’t easy to sell my V200. But it simply wasn’t competing with the Woo WA2 with good tubes, to my ears- not nearly as airy, spacious, or organic as the WA2.

Now a V281, on the other hand, would be a different story, I’m sure. I’ve never had the cash for one, but I have no doubt I’d love it.

 

[9bphillips]

Great idea for a thread with so many ZMF owners that love their tube amps!

 

[Monsterzero]

Great idea for a thread with so many ZMF owners that love their tube amps!

Dude, your Atriums are killer! I cant believe the original buyer didnt like them

 

[UntilThen]

No love for SS here?

I've owned and toyed with several mid range solid state amps such as Violectric v280, Auralic Taurus Mk2, Questyle CMA 12, Burson Soloist 3XP, Schiit Mjolnir Mk2. I sold them all and have stayed with tube amps.

The black Violectric v281 which my son has, does appeal very much to me in terms of sound and looks ! Drives HD800s very well. Susvara too ! However it's still tube amps for me.

 

[9bphillips]

Dude, your Atriums are killer! I cant believe the original buyer didnt like them

Thx man! I lucked up big time no doubt. I really enjoyed my aged cherry Atrium but these just caught my eye the second I saw them. It was a good trade especially since I got these when they were 2 days old!

 

[Pharmaboy]

I've been doing a ton of reading/research lately and trying to convince the missus I need a Niimbus US5 Pro. She didnt like that, so I now I'm focusing on the Violectric 550. Wish me luck

I've done a ton of reading about them both. Speaking strictly from my own sonic preferences, I would choose the V550--but it would have to be the "Pro" model with the remote controlled stepped pot.

Both the Nimbus and 550 are described as "more neutral" than the V281. To some that's an overdue improvement, but to me it means this beloved brand is moving away from my SS tastes a bit. The Nimbus is routinely described as distinctly more neutral than the V281, and somewhat more so than the 550.

Neither one fits my budget or desktop space, but the 550 would probably be my choice of the two if one did.

 

[kumar402]

An old pic but here is one solid state that pairs well with all ZMF - ECP DSHA3F

 

[darktooth8]

Tubes and Zmf certainly a great combo

 

[9bphillips]

I've owned and toyed with several mid range solid state amps such as Violectric v280, Auralic Taurus Mk2, Questyle CMA 12, Burson Soloist 3XP, Schiit Mjolnir Mk2. I sold them all and have stayed with tube amps.

The black Violectric v281 which my son has, does appeal very much to me in terms of sound and looks ! Drives HD800s very well. Susvara too ! However it's still tube amps for me.

I feel the same way! I owned the Soloist 3xp and then the Soloist GT but when I got my hands on my wa22 I just lost interest in solid state. I would listen every now and again and I would use my wa22 preamp out into the GT but there is just something about tubes that made me fall in love!

 

[Tchoupitoulas]

My Vérité arrived almost a year ago, at which time I had these two affordable tube amps to drive them. They're the ZDT Jr and the SW51+

While both are excellent amps, both in and of themselves - and at their respective price points - neither suited my preferences with the VO. I find the VO quite intense and energetic and, as a neutral amp, the SW51+ did little to soften the sound - as I would have liked - and I suspect the ZDT Jr's upper-mids or lower-treble didn't pair ideally with the VO.

Since then I was tremendously fortunately to be able to own a DNA Stratus, which makes for an absolutely glorious pairing for the Vérité. Quick disclaimer: much of the gear in the following photo isn't mine. I had some of it on loaner tours from another forum or from personal loaners, including the Atrium, which also paired exceptionally well with the Stratus:

I took this pic because I doubt I'll ever have so much amazing gear, all at once, in my home again!

 

[Monsterzero]

I've done a ton of reading about them both. Speaking strictly from my own sonic preferences, I would choose the V550--but it would have to be the "Pro" model with the remote controlled stepped pot.

Both the Nimbus and 550 are described as "more neutral" than the V281. To some that's an overdue improvement, but to me it means this beloved brand is moving away from my SS tastes a bit. The Nimbus is routinely described as distinctly more neutral than the V281, and somewhat more so than the 550.

Neither one fits my budget or desktop space, but the 550 would probably be my choice of the two if one did.

Yes, but in my case having a tube based DAC that is quite responsive to rolling, I'm never without some tube goodness, even if I'm listening via SS amp.

I can get my system pretty warm and gooey sounding with the right tubes on the Lampi and Airmid, so I figured to go in the opposite direction for SS amping, but there's no way my wife will go for the price tag of the Niimbus. I didnt even talk to her about the Zahl. She'd have thrown me outta the house.

The 550 like your 281 has dual 1/4" jacks, which would make A/Bing a breeze for reviewing

 

[jonathan c]

From the home study/office:

 

[UntilThen]

From the home study/office:

Do you have storage problems for your ZMF headphones? You can send some my way.