[VanHai]

I missed thatI am indeed curious of that too

The low profile Oblivion probably the best amp overall, It can drive both dynamic and planar headphones with ease. It has power, clarity, detail, depth and the best soundstage.

 

[Monsterzero]

Here’s my Atrium + my Ampsandsound Mogwai SE rev2. It’s an absolutely magical pairing with my VC but the Atrium is missing something on it and I actually prefer it on my Cayin iHA-6 so far. It’s a little too gooey for the atrium at the moment, I’m going to try rolling some different rectifier tubes. Current tube roll is:
RCA 5U4G rectifier (nos)
RCA 12AU7 input (nos)
Tung Sol 6550 drivers (np)

Can the Mogwai take 5R4GY? I have a Brimar that sounds very un-gooey on both my Lampizator as well as on the Aegis.

 

[Monsterzero]

I've found that the DNA Stratus matches up really well with the VC, VO and Atrium. As a bonus it's a great amp for my only non-ZMF headphone, the HD-800-S. I've been thinking hard about a Stellaris but haven't gotten there yet.

Great setup and digging the wall art as well, although I'd have the Ramones up top next to Johnny Cash, and add in one of Lemmy and Thin Lizzy too

 

[haasaaroni]

Here’s my Atrium + my Ampsandsound Mogwai SE rev2. It’s an absolutely magical pairing with my VC but the Atrium is missing something on it and I actually prefer it on my Cayin iHA-6 so far. It’s a little too gooey for the atrium at the moment, I’m going to try rolling some different rectifier tubes. Current tube roll is:
RCA 5U4G rectifier (nos)
RCA 12AU7 input (nos)
Tung Sol 6550 drivers (np)

You’re not the first one I’ve heard say they prefer the Atrium on a solid state amp. A big reason I chose the brighter sounding Auteur Classic to the Atrium was that I hoped it would play better with my Forge (Mogwai’s little brother).

 

[Marutks]

I use Blue Halo OTL amplifier with my ZMF cans.

Unfortunately it is dead quiet only with 6N6P tubes ( they need adapters ). There is some backround noise with most of its "native" (6J5/6SN7) tubes. It depends on tubes though. I found some very quiet B36 tubes. They are nearly dead quiet with Atrium.

I also have ECP T4 tube amp. It is not an OTL amp and it sounds less fun and "musical" than the Blue Halo. But it has low impedance mode for 60 ohm cans. It might be a good match with the Caldera !

 

[johnnypaddock]

Great setup and digging the wall art as well, although I'd have the Ramones up top next to Johnny Cash, and add in one of Lemmy and Thin Lizzy too

Thanks! The room theme is all American artists, otherwise Lemmy would definitely be involved.

 

[Monsterzero]

Thanks! The room theme is all American artists

I'd def add in Blackberry Smoke. Theyre so good!

otherwise Lemmy would definitely be involved.

Respect!

 

[goldwerger]

I've found that the DNA Stratus matches up really well with the VC, VO and Atrium. As a bonus it's a great amp for my only non-ZMF headphone, the HD-800-S. I've been thinking hard about a Stellaris but haven't gotten there yet.

Gorgeous setup!

 

[shwnwllms]

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

I decided to go with a V550 Pro since it handles planars and dynamics equally well. I’m in the minority here but feel it’s a great pairing with ZMFs (although I may end up adding an OTL at some point anyway). Warmth falls in between a V281 and Niimbus, and I’m quite happy with the overall sound signature. BTW the left 1/4” jack has the polarity reversed.

 

[Monsterzero]

I decided to go with a V550 Pro since it handles planars and dynamics equally well. I’m in the minority here but feel it’s a great pairing with ZMFs (although I may end up adding an OTL at some point anyway).

How would you describe the stage? Narrow? Wide? Average?

BTW the left 1/4” jack has the polarity reversed.

Why would they do that, or is it defective?

 

[Badlands]

Loving this thread! Here’s my rather humble offering in comparison to some of you folks with multiple tube amps. All I can say is the OG Auteur and Kenzie Rev 2 are such a magical pairing. And yes, I did try my UM Indigos and they sound amazing as well. Surprisingly dead quiet. I did swap out the JJ 5751 to the Raytheon Windmill Getters and it opened up the amp a bit. Wonderful with mids, especially vocals.

 

[shwnwllms]

How would you describe the stage? Narrow? Wide? Average?

Why would they do that, or is it defective?

The V550 is a highly accurate and detailed amp. It’s technically accurate (neutral) with a touch of warmth (not as laid back and tube like as the V281). Plenty of slam in the low end, and phenomenal detail retrieval throughout. The stage is going to come from the source and transducers so in that regard you will get out of it what you put into it. It may be slightly more forgiving than a true reference amp (due to the warmth) but I wouldn’t expect it to affect the soundstage.

Left jack is phase shifted 180 degrees for recordings that were recorded with the polarity reversed. Same reasons some DACs have a phase button to reverse the polarity. I’ve never used it tbh but it’s by design, not a defect. You just want to be sure to use the right jack if you are using SE (I use XLR as I run balanced anyway). I’m not sure why you would want to reverse the polarity as it’s usually a conscious decision the artist made during the recording process.

 

[haasaaroni]

Loving this thread! Here’s my rather humble offering in comparison to some of you folks with multiple tube amps. All I can say is the OG Auteur and Kenzie Rev 2 are such a magical pairing. And yes, I did try my UM Indigos and they sound amazing as well. Surprisingly dead quiet. I did swap out the JJ 5751 to the Raytheon Windmill Getters and it opened up the amp a bit. Wonderful with mids, especially vocals.

I absolutely love this combo too. Is that a Black Limba OG Auteur? I love the new Classics, but I had a pair just like that which I deeply miss!

 

[jonathan c]

I absolutely love this combo too. Is that a Black Limba OG Auteur? I love the new Classics, but I had a pair just like that which I deeply miss!

That certainly looks like a Black Limba….all the more reason to wait for a November LTD Auteur Classic….

 

[UntilThen]

Loving this thread! Here’s my rather humble offering in comparison to some of you folks with multiple tube amps. All I can say is the OG Auteur and Kenzie Rev 2 are such a magical pairing. And yes, I did try my UM Indigos and they sound amazing as well. Surprisingly dead quiet. I did swap out the JJ 5751 to the Raytheon Windmill Getters and it opened up the amp a bit. Wonderful with mids, especially vocals.

I've heard the Kenze Encore with Meze Empyrean and Dan Clark Ether 2 at a friends gathering a few years ago. Whilst it's not overly colored, it is certainly not a neutral amp. There's a good midrange presence with clear but rounded off treble.