There was a V280 final edition produced that can still be found new depending on the country you are in. Only difference is the gain switches switch to different db levels.
The (Un)Official Amp Thread For ZMF Headphones
- Thread starter Monsterzero
- Start date
Pharmaboy
Headphoneus Supremus
Pretty much anything Violectric would nail it.
dfiled
500+ Head-Fier
Is the V226 a noticeable step down from the V280/281?
Pharmaboy
Headphoneus Supremus
Never heard one. But there is a very informative thread for the V202 (single-ended) and V226 (balanced). This topic comes up there fairly often...
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/violectric-v222-and-v202.963504/
dfiled
500+ Head-Fier
Haven’t paired them yet as my bliss is at work and my VCs at home. Will try it sometime and report back.
Nayyte
100+ Head-Fier
While I haven't heard one yet, the new Schiit MJOLNIR 3 is getting great reviews. Also, I have the CMA400i and I believe they have identical DAC circuitry. The DAC on mine is definitely the weakest link. Other than that I would say that Questyle dac/amps are geared more toward lower impedance headphones. Mine doesn't power 300ohms very well. If you are going to upgrade, make sure you are prepared to loose the convenience of a dac/amp combo especially if you also use the preamp.
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shwnwllms
1000+ Head-Fier
Just picked up a GS-X MK2 today. I’m curious to see how they do with ZMFs. I’ll mostly be using it as a preamp for my Agartha 2021 but I’m sure I’ll be using it as a HPA on the Caldera & AC as well.
dfiled
500+ Head-Fier
A lot of the Violectric amps have versions with a a built in DAC, though maybe not the world’s greatest DACs.
AudioDuck
Headphoneus Supremus
Congrats Shawn! Please share impressions when you can. I know the GS-X mkII is a direct parallel to the RSA Apache, so it’s always interesting to hear comparisons.
(Whether or not the Apache works well with other brands of headphones was very secondary to me; call me crazy, but I’m a ZMF fanboy for life.
)
AudioDuck
Headphoneus Supremus
I’ve seen a Questyle CMA800R pre-owned on USAM, it might still be there. (Noting it because it seemed a bargain at the price)
I love my Ray Samuels Audio Apache with ZMFs. While it is no longer in production, the HR-2 (non-balanced, non-preamp but otherwise similar in topology) is still being built by Ray, I believe.
I second the Violectric recommendation; I owned a V200 and loved it. I had to go up several notches (read: 3x+) in price to get the holographic imaging and air that the V200 was missing vs my tube amp.
Perhaps the ZMF/JDS collab amp is of interest to you? Otherwise the Nietsch higher-end amp that is a short-run special is a great option, but certainly a bit pricey. Depends on your budget of course…
dfiled
500+ Head-Fier
@AudioDuck coukd you please clarify what you’re saying here? You felt that the v200 was lacking vis-a-vis tubes or something else?
AudioDuck
Headphoneus Supremus
Certainly- the V200 was missing air between instruments and performers compared to the Woo WA2- though please note that’s with REALLY good tubes, so it’s an unfair comparison.
(Comparing costs, that’s a $1,000 SS amp vs. $1,500 tube amp with roughly $800+ in tube upgrades and a $200+ fuse upgrade… so definitely unfair!)
idairyou
500+ Head-Fier
Caldera, and Atrium sound great on the Bliss, though I still prefer the Atrium on tubes.
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