The (Un)Official Amp Thread For ZMF Headphones

[ThanatosVI]

I've heard the new ZMF OTL prototype and it's very promising. It's not identical to the Airmid, but it seems like it'll be really good, and a bit more flexible.

Which tubes does the new OTL use?

 

[AnyDave]

Which tubes does the new OTL use?

IIRC, the Input is 6SN7, there is a 5AR4 rectifier and output tubes are EL34/KT66/KT88/6L6. There is a lot of crossover on the output tubes with the Aegis, but the OTL can't use as many variants so folks will have to be careful with that.

MASSIVE DISCLAIMER:

THIS IS A PROTOTYPE. IT IS ENTIRELY POSSIBLE THAT THE CURRENT DESIGN COULD CHANGE. So please be keep that in mind while reposting in other threads. What I heard is the first pass proto. There's a lot more work before we would consider the design frozen.

 

[JackarlTwo]

IIRC, the Input is 6SN7, there is a 5AR4 rectifier and output tubes are EL34/KT66/KT88/6L6. There is a lot of crossover on the output tubes with the Aegis, but the OTL can't use as many variants so folks will have to be careful with that.

MASSIVE DISCLAIMER:

THIS IS A PROTOTYPE. IT IS ENTIRELY POSSIBLE THAT THE CURRENT DESIGN COULD CHANGE. So please be keep that in mind while reposting in other threads. What I heard is the first pass proto. There's a lot more work before we would consider the design frozen.

As a complete tube newbie I absolutely love the way most 6SN7's and their family of tubes sound with ZMF headphones. Doubly fun if the amp ends up with KT88 etc

 

[erics75]

I've heard the new ZMF OTL prototype and it's very promising. It's not identical to the Airmid, but it seems like it'll be really good, and a bit more flexible.

Would love to know how it compares to the Decware otl

 

[LXMc]

Got two new amps in yesterday! A new Icon Audio HP8 MKII Signature, and a used DNA Starlett. I put about 4 hours last night on the Starlett with my Auteur OG, and about 4 hours so far today at work on the Icon with the AC. Both these amps so far sound amazing with their respective ZMF. The Starlett sounds very close to the Stratus overall. Same clean, slightly warm, slightly wet tonality as the Stratus, but with slightly reduced dynamics. But even so, this thing easily surpasses all my Ampsandsound and Aegis amps in terms of dynamic punch and drive, regardless of the tubes I've tried in them. It's surprising to me how strong the Starlett hits. Beyond that, the staging is big, the tone/timbre is natural/realistic, and it just sounds good, no other words to say. The Icon is also a sledgehammer so far. The bass hits hard. Without doing side by sides yet, I'd say it's of similar weight to the Starlett. Tone is a bit warmer and more euphonic. A bit more colored. I'm not complaining, I like it. It's similar to my Jinx tonally, which is nice. But unlike the Jinx, it's dead quiet. Big win there. Same with the Starlett, dead silent. I'm an amp whore, and these two are rocking my world hard. The Icon/AC combo is so rich and euphonic sounding, it's intoxicating.

Over the last few years as i've acquired many higher level tube amps, I've learned more about myself. Before, tubes in general just sounded great, as I was coming off solid state amps. They all were great to my ears. Now that I've had a few years almost exclusively with tubes I've further refined which types of tube amps really cater to my preferences. I like big dynamics, and a warm, euphonic tone. I actually don't like overly diffuse soundstages, it takes away from the dynamics and immediacy. I'm a simpleton i guess, I just want slamming dynamics and a nice warm tone.

Why the introspection? I better understand why some outstanding tube amps aren't calling me like they should. My Wells Audio V8 OTL, ZMF Aegis, Ampsandsound Kenzie and Jinx, and LTA MZ2. All amazing amps. But they just don't quite nail things for me preference-wise. The LTA and V8 are too solid state neutral, and lacks the punch I crave. The Aegis is a bit too ethereal sounding, again lacking the outright power and punch I crave. The Kenzie is my tone king, but again, lacks the dynamics I crave. The Jinx gets the dynamics right, and is the one of the group I'm not sure I want to let go, though it's noise floor irritates. But the others just aren't getting enough listening times to justify keeping.

So for you tube amp lovers like me who crave big dynamics and punch, take heed. If you can land a DNA, do it. If you can get the Icon, do it. The Jinx is also good, but does have a higher noise floor, which needs to be considered. These are the punchiest, most dynamic amps I've found. I know i'm only hours into the Starlett and Icon, but it doesn't take long for me to know they have what i want. They remind me of my Stratus, my most beloved amp, enough said All my own subjective opinion though, I don't expect consensus. Sorry Aegis lovers, I know you're a passionate lot, and I do like mine a lot, but don't LOVE it, regardless of tubes rolled.

If anyone is interested, I'm going to finally take the plunge and purge my less used amps. PM me to discuss.

ZMF Aegis
Ampsandsound Kenzie OG Rev 2 (most current version)
Possibly Ampsandsound Jinx, open to discussions. Will not sell with big discount, it's almost new and immaculate
LTA MZ2 with LPS
Wells Audio V8 base level/model

EDIT: for the "pics or it didn't happen" crowd, take this!

Congrats on the two awesome new amps. The DNA amps in particular are really intriguing and I really hope to hear one at some point.

Would love to know how it compares to the Decware otl

I remember you saying you still wanted to try the ZMF Reference OTL and based on your description of your sound signature preference in amps, if you get a chance, I'd be really interested to hear how you find it compares to the DNA amps in your stable. With the right tubes I find it strikes an amazing balance of dynamic and euphonic and is the most holographic amp I've heard. I've demo'd a friend's Cayin Soul 170 a few times, which is a beast and the Calderas are incredible on it, but imo the ZMF OTL still beats it with ZMF dynamics (particularly the Auteur Classic ).

 

[jmanpd]

Congrats on the two awesome new amps. The DNA amps in particular are really intriguing and I really hope to hear one at some point.


I remember you saying you still wanted to try the ZMF Reference OTL and based on your description of your sound signature preference in amps, if you get a chance, I'd be really interested to hear how you find it compares to the DNA amps in your stable. With the right tubes I find it strikes an amazing balance of dynamic and euphonic and is the most holographic amp I've heard. I've demo'd a friend's Cayin Soul 170 a few times, which is a beast and the Calderas are incredible on it, but imo the ZMF OTL still beats it with ZMF dynamics (particularly the Auteur Classic ).

Hey hey easy on the Cayin Soul talk there or I might lock the door next time.... Just kidding. The ZMF Decware OTL has crazy synergy with ZMF dynamics.

 

[LXMc]

Hey hey easy on the Cayin Soul talk there or I might lock the door next time.... Just kidding. The ZMF Decware OTL has crazy synergy with ZMF dynamics.

Definitely not trying to pick on the Soul, it sounds amazing, especially in terms of dynamics, punch and slam. Just needed a particularly high bar for reference!

 

[jonathan c]

.... and for something a bit different ....

[Grado RA-1 (twin 9V battery power)]

 

[MindBreak]

As a complete tube newbie I absolutely love the way most 6SN7's and their family of tubes sound with ZMF headphones. Doubly fun if the amp ends up with KT88 etc

I just got my first pair of 6SN7's, and I am now a fan.

My Atrium Open has never sounded better (granted I am still just under a year of ownership).

 

[bigjako]

I just got my first pair of 6SN7's, and I am now a fan.



My Atrium Open has never sounded better (granted I am still just under a year of ownership).

Wait until he gets a quad of 6J5s on that.

Seriously, though, you have to do it.

 

[FLXI]

Is anyone using the LTA Velo with Calderas? Do they pair well together?

I'm using a TT2 as a DAC/amp, but I'm considering a tube amp as a complement.

My biggest concern is the bass — from what I've read, the Velo seems a little bass-shy?

Ideally, I’d prefer a SET design, but I’m not sure I can afford something like the DNA amps. The advantage of the Velo is that I really like the design, the price is reasonable, and I already have a good collection of 6SN7 tubes.

Or would it be wiser to stretch the budget a bit and go for the ZMF Aegis instead?

 

[theveterans]

Is anyone using the LTA Velo with Calderas? Do they pair well together?

I'm using a TT2 as a DAC/amp, but I'm considering a tube amp as a complement.

My biggest concern is the bass — from what I've read, the Velo seems a little bass-shy?

Ideally, I’d prefer a SET design, but I’m not sure I can afford something like the DNA amps. The advantage of the Velo is that I really like the design, the price is reasonable, and I already have a good collection of 6SN7 tubes.

Or would it be wiser to stretch the budget a bit and go for the ZMF Aegis instead?

DIY Aegis is 2.2-2.5K (depending on your location) which is around Velo’s price

Aegis will give you the bass but it’s a SET bass not a SS-like bass

 

[G8torbyte]

Is anyone using the LTA Velo with Calderas? Do they pair well together?

I'm using a TT2 as a DAC/amp, but I'm considering a tube amp as a complement.

My biggest concern is the bass — from what I've read, the Velo seems a little bass-shy?

Ideally, I’d prefer a SET design, but I’m not sure I can afford something like the DNA amps. The advantage of the Velo is that I really like the design, the price is reasonable, and I already have a good collection of 6SN7 tubes.

Or would it be wiser to stretch the budget a bit and go for the ZMF Aegis instead?

I tried my Caldera Open with it and it is a very nice pairing. For me I would describe the Velo as having a delicate and detailed presentation of the music that is lovely to my ears which unfortunately are impacted by tinnitus so there's that to note. I would say the Velo is polite across the frequencies rather than bass-shy since I do hear the bass/sub-bass. An output transformer coupled (OTC) amp like the Aegis or Icon Audio HP8 will have a more commanding presence or bass-slam as some may say. I hear this with the HP8 as to me it seems stronger up front while the Velo is more spacious. Also an OTC amp drives both planar and higher impedance headphones 300 Ohms or more with ease. The Velo is an excellent pre-amp and I mainly use mine for my desktop speakers. It has three inputs, two outputs + headphone and can switch between 12v and 6v tubes which makes for many options in a chain. In this other thread I made a few more notes comparing the Velo and HP8.

 

[Melt28]

Got a set of Bokeh Closed on the way and will probably pickup a pair of Caldera opens as soon as I find a resin or wood that blows me away. Is it generally agreed upon that the Icon hp8 mkII signature is the best amp for these? I know the Aegis is loved by many but it's just way too huge. My setup is on my desk with my computer so I need something a little more compact. Any other compact amps that can rival the hp8?

 

[shwnwllms]

Got a set of Bokeh Closed on the way and will probably pickup a pair of Caldera opens as soon as I find a resin or wood that blows me away. Is it generally agreed upon that the Icon hp8 mkII signature is the best amp for these? I know the Aegis is loved by many but it's just way too huge. My setup is on my desk with my computer so I need something a little more compact. Any other compact amps that can rival the hp8?

MASS-Kobo 433 is also an excellent choice