ZMF Aegis Official Thread

[AnyDave]

Can't go wrong with any of the ZMFs honestly if you have the Aegis as your main amp

I like the way the BO sounded at CanJam. It has the Atrium magic which I love with vocals/soul music. With Susvara, I tend to listen to really fast music (Infected Mushroom and Muse sound absolutely phenomenal with it) as well as orchestra/classical (violin and piano are breathtaking too) but lately I've been appreciating the soul genre a lot and BO delivers such an addictive lively presentation for those genres indeed

I've been really enjoying the latest Infected Mushroom release.

 

[Quenya]

Some more thoughts on Tung-Sol 6550 compared to Cossor ATS25 after another hour:
- Stages wider and deeper, more 3D effect
- More dynamic and engaging
- Ooh, brass instruments sound really nice!
- Slightly less realism, less textured
- Vocals and guitars are actually more brought forward, I think?
- Vocals are slightly more velvety and ethereal
- Upper bass is slightly less present, but lower bass weirdly slams and rumbles harder
- Percussion hits harder
- No blue glow

This is my first time rolling from one NOS output tube to another. It's awesome being able to tune the amplifier like this! One tube is not simply superior to the other, but suits different songs/genres better and some worse. I might have to change up my pads with the 6550's. I found the Caldera UP pads a really nice pairing with the Cossors, but think I might have to try the Universe or perhaps the Auteur pads next with the 6550's. Or maybe some suede ones..?

 

[Toonartist]

Can't go wrong with any of the ZMFs honestly if you have the Aegis as your main amp

I like the way the BO sounded at CanJam. It has the Atrium magic which I love with vocals/soul music. With Susvara, I tend to listen to really fast music (Infected Mushroom and Muse sound absolutely phenomenal with it) as well as orchestra/classical (violin and piano are breathtaking too) but lately I've been appreciating the soul genre a lot and BO delivers such an addictive lively presentation for those genres indeed

You’d like tonight’s vinyl then

 

[theveterans]

What an analog heaven it is indeed

You’d like tonight’s vinyl then

 

[leftside]

I've been really enjoying the latest Infected Mushroom release.

Went to see them a couple of weeks ago. Was surprised how young the crowd was. Not sure I've seen that much energy at a show before, and I've been to a lot of shows.

Something completely different tomorrow. The Sister of Mercy. They used to be great live in the 80's and at their 10th anniversary in Leeds, but are a shadow of their former selves live these days unfortunately.

 

[betula]

Went to see them a couple of weeks ago

I saw them in London a few years ago. That was one hell of a night.
Haven't heard this new album yet, just checking it out right now on my brand-new Grand Silver Palladium cable (with Caldera).

 

[Nick76]

Woops wrong thread

 

[AnyDave]

Went to see them a couple of weeks ago. Was surprised how young the crowd was. Not sure I've seen that much energy at a show before, and I've been to a lot of shows.

Something completely different tomorrow. The Sister of Mercy. They used to be great live in the 80's and at their 10th anniversary in Leeds, but are a shadow of their former selves live these days unfortunately.

Man, I LOVE the Sisters of Mercy. For my birthday a couple of months ago, I was given the Peel Sessions on vinyl, which was a nice treat.

 

[leftside]

Man, I LOVE the Sisters of Mercy. For my birthday a couple of months ago, I was given the Peel Sessions on vinyl, which was a nice treat.

That was a really good RSD release. Captured the band at that moment in time very well.

 

[g4ndr1k]

Some more thoughts on Tung-Sol 6550…

Are your Tung-Sol tubes black plates or grey plates?

 

[AnyDave]

Are your Tung-Sol tubes black plates or grey plates?

I know you didn't ask me, but I have some of the 2nd generation (black plates, 1 top getter, 2 getters on one side) and some of the 5th gen (grey plates, 1 top getter, 2 getters on opposite sides, 3 holes in plates). While the black variants may be *slightly* better, the grey plates with three holes still sound like TS 6550s and are really nice tube.

 

[g4ndr1k]

I know you didn't ask me, but I have some of the 2nd generation (black plates, 1 top getter, 2 getters on one side) and some of the 5th gen (grey plates, 1 top getter, 2 getters on opposite sides, 3 holes in plates). While the black variants may be *slightly* better, the grey plates with three holes still sound like TS 6550s and are really nice tube.

Thank you
That’s what I needed to confirm, as the black plates are really hard to get. My local audio shop has the black ones, but the price they’re asking is about twice that of the grey ones.
Much appreciated.

 

[theveterans]

Some more thoughts on Tung-Sol 6550 compared to Cossor ATS25 after another hour:
- Stages wider and deeper, more 3D effect
- More dynamic and engaging
- Ooh, brass instruments sound really nice!
- Slightly less realism, less textured
- Vocals and guitars are actually more brought forward, I think?
- Vocals are slightly more velvety and ethereal
- Upper bass is slightly less present, but lower bass weirdly slams and rumbles harder
- Percussion hits harder
- No blue glow

This is my first time rolling from one NOS output tube to another. It's awesome being able to tune the amplifier like this! One tube is not simply superior to the other, but suits different songs/genres better and some worse. I might have to change up my pads with the 6550's. I found the Caldera UP pads a really nice pairing with the Cossors, but think I might have to try the Universe or perhaps the Auteur pads next with the 6550's. Or maybe some suede ones..?

This sounds like you're describing the KT88 sound since this is exactly how I would also describe it. I think with some pad rolling, you'll get better realism and texture (you're comment about less realism, less textured is its biggest weakness but once you get around it, it's OMG wowzee of a tube). With regards to bass response, that's how a more linear sounding output tube would sound: slightly more presence of lower bass than upper bass and better percussion delivery

 

[Quenya]

Are your Tung-Sol tubes black plates or grey plates?

These are solid grey plates (no holes), which I believe is the fourth generation (circa 1960-63).

 

[g4ndr1k]

These are solid grey plates (no holes), which I believe is the fourth generation (circa 1960-63).

Noted. Thank you for the information