The (Un)Official Amp Thread For ZMF Headphones

[JerseyD]

Thanks for the awesome and knowledgeable responses!

is there a certain version or revision of the HP8 MKii I should be focused on?

Many of us purchased via Warren Lavender at Audioarcan in Canada. Good idea to email him to discuss specifics - and I agree with Jonathan: Mk2 Signature with no bluetooth.
https://www.audioarcan.com/product-page/icon-audio-hp8-mkii-signature-headphone-amp

 

[jp11801]

I would not leave out the Cayin HA6a out of consideration, tube rolling is pretty good with the amp and the transformer coupled output works well with planers in the low setting and dynamics in the medium or high settings.

 

[rage3324]

I would not leave out the Cayin HA6a out of consideration, tube rolling is pretty good with the amp and the transformer coupled output works well with planers in the low setting and dynamics in the medium or high settings.

For sure!

Many of us purchased via Warren Lavender at Audioarcan in Canada. Good idea to email him to discuss specifics - and I agree with Jonathan: Mk2 Signature with no bluetooth.
https://www.audioarcan.com/product-page/icon-audio-hp8-mkii-signature-headphone-amp

Thanks guys! Assuming I find a used model without the upgrade tubes, do you know how much those tubes cost separately?

 

[jonathan c]

Assuming I find a used model without the upgrade tubes, do you know how much those tubes cost separately?

... First, should you find a used HP8, ask / confirm whether it has upgraded capacitors -- part of the Signature package.
... As for price indications on Ebay & elsewhere, here is my current tube ensemble in HP8 Signature: RCA 'blackplate' 12AX7 ($135), pair Sylvania 'short bottle' VT-231 ($175).

 

[sma1]

OTL + ZMF dynamic-driver headphones is a great combination!

If you ever feel like/have the budget to grab a used Gungnir Multibit (R2R) DAC to upgrade, I can attest to that being a phenomenal combo with the WA2. That said, the Bifrost is a great DAC as well.

I will also note that the WA2 does exceptionally well with 12A_7 tubes with pin adapters. I found that those tube families to improve the sound further beyond the 6922-type tubes.

If you come across reasonably-priced 5998s for your power tubes, the WA2 scales up admirably well. It’s pretty incredible what you can squeeze out of that model.

Enjoy! The WA2 + good tubes + Atrium = amazing, engaging sound.

Agree the Woo is a great match. To this point I have put a toe in the tube rabbit hole but don't have time to go all in. Currently using RCA Jan 6AS7G's for power, SER 6 X 4 D Getters from Sweden as rectifiers (with adapter) and GE 6DJK's for driver. Very happy with current sound. Also pondering a new DAC but the Bifrost (I originally bought as a 2 and then bought 2/64 upgrade) has simply worked without fail and without drama.

 

[Monsterzero]

Cross posting from another thread. In case yall have missed it, ZMF announced a production version of the Airmid OTL coming out before the end of the year (i think). It apparently will also play nice with planars (!) too.

If yall don't know what an Airmid is:

Here is my custom Airmid, one of six made, white chassis, dual mono, passive outputs in rear. Takes 6j5s/6c5s and 6as7g (and the usual suspects within the family) tubes natively.
The tube types on the production version will not be what mine takes, it will probably only have a single attenuator, and mine doesn't play nice with planars, unfortunately.



And here is my video review I did of the Airmid, back when you could have one custom built by Keenan.



It's a great amp.

 

[jonathan c]

Cross posting from another thread. In case yall have missed it, ZMF announced a production version of the Airmid OTL coming out before the end of the year (i think). It apparently will also play nice with planars (!) too.

If yall don't know what an Airmid is:

Here is my custom Airmid, one of six made, white chassis, dual mono, passive outputs in rear. Takes 6j5s/6c5s and 6as7g (and the usual suspects within the family) tubes natively.
The tube types on the production version will not be what mine takes, it will probably only have a single attenuator, and mine doesn't play nice with planars, unfortunately.



And here is my video review I did of the Airmid, back when you could have one custom built by Keenan.



It's a great amp.

Two questions: 1. Is @L0rdGwyn the designer of the ZMF 'production' Airmid? 2. Will the 'production' Airmid not have VU meters?

 

[Monsterzero]

Two questions: 1. Is @L0rdGwyn the designer of the ZMF 'production' Airmid? 2. Will the 'production' Airmid not have VU meters?

1.Yes and 2.I have no idea

 

[Wes S]

Two questions: 1. Is @L0rdGwyn the designer of the ZMF 'production' Airmid? 2. Will the 'production' Airmid not have VU meters?

You and those damn meters!

Some of us (me included), love VU meters. . .

 

[goldwerger]

Cross posting from another thread. In case yall have missed it, ZMF announced a production version of the Airmid OTL coming out before the end of the year (i think). It apparently will also play nice with planars (!) too.

If yall don't know what an Airmid is:

Here is my custom Airmid, one of six made, white chassis, dual mono, passive outputs in rear. Takes 6j5s/6c5s and 6as7g (and the usual suspects within the family) tubes natively.
The tube types on the production version will not be what mine takes, it will probably only have a single attenuator, and mine doesn't play nice with planars, unfortunately.



And here is my video review I did of the Airmid, back when you could have one custom built by Keenan.



It's a great amp.

My FOMO on this one runs deep, with years of unsuccessfully chasing the old Airmids (which no owner will let go)

 

[Wes S]

My FOMO on this one runs deep, with years of unsuccessfully chasing the old Airmids (which no owner will let go)

I was about to say the same thing!

I am totally content and happy as heck with my Aegis, and limited desk space (and funds). That said, I would be lying if I said I wasn't feeling some FOMO for the OTL.

 

[mattiastomas]

I was about to say the same thing!

I am totally content and happy as heck with my Aegis, and desk space and funds are limited. That said, I would be lying if I said I wasn't feeling some FOMO for the OTL.

I heard the Airmid OTL at Canjam NYC this year and had a chance to talk to Keenan (L0rdgwyn) about it and at the time he said that there maybe a commercial version in the works. I have been putting money aside since. So there's 6-12 months to save up for one.

 

[jonathan c]

I was about to say the same thing!

I am totally content and happy as heck with my Aegis, and desk space and funds are limited. That said, I would be lying if I said I wasn't feeling some FOMO for the OTL.

..... it's FOMOTL !! and there's only one cure: --> .....

 

[jsabini1]

My FOMO on this one runs deep, with years of unsuccessfully chasing the old Airmids (which no owner will let go)

Sounds similar to the case of the OG ECP DSHA-3F popping up for sale, which is almost never. There was one a few days ago here, and it was a beauty! Has the nickel cores, sold in about 6 hours...

 

[jonathan c]

.... DNA Sonett 2 in the same category .... but it didn't get away ....