Those of you who are familiar with higher end tube amps like wa23 or Feliks Envy, how does Aegis compare? What to expect?
@zach915m will there be a demo unit in Munich Highend?
@zach915m will there be a demo unit in Munich Highend?
ZMF Aegis Official Thread
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No unit at Munich unfortunately.
Does this amp require expensive NOS tubes to sound good?
This might be more meaningful coming from someone else, but in my opinion, no, it doesn't need expensive NOS tubes to sound good, sounds great right out of the box with the stock tubes. Of course the option to explore NOS options will always be there. Worth noting that most people who have demoed it so far have heard it with the stock tubes only!
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While the amp changes with different tubes, it's not like some OTLs I've heard that need crazy tubes. I'd be happy with the JJs if I didnt want to go nuts, JJs actually sound really good and it was a task finding a 6sl7 that matched or provided enough difference for the akternate tube set that will be available.
I will have a video all about tubes coming up though.
Thats a shame, couple of potential buyers from my friends list already, maybe you manage to get a unit to Thomas nevertheless
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Dealers are able to buy the amp already, if anybody would like a local dealer to carry the amp, definitely let them know!Thats a shame, couple of potential buyers from my friends list already, maybe you manage to get a unit to Thomas nevertheless
Timing will be after Munich though, as 230v units are not done yet, but will be soon.
You talking to me? haha
I'm going to do a review of the Aegis and I'll compare it with the Envy and WA23, but in the meantime, some short term impressions would be...
Two words have come to mind a lot while listening to the Aegis thus far: intoxicating and liquid. The imaging sounds especially intoxicating - it's addicting listening to the way it presents things in the soundstage and also does it in a unique way from the other two. The soundstage is also less wide and less deep than the other two - things feel more intimate and the emotional pull to sounds is fantastic and again, intoxicating. Still has a good airy quality to the soundstage though - just not as much as the others. Quite fluid and liquid, easy on the ears. Aegis tonally sounds more close to WA23 than Envy - midrange on both is beautiful, while Envy sounds the biggest in the bass and widest, airiest soundstage. All of these impressions are with stock tubes and Takatsuki 2a3s in the WA23, but the midrange characteristics carry over to stock 2a3s.
The WA23 and Envy sound a bit more "hi-fi" than Aegis. Bigger, tighter bass, more detail. More texture in instruments and bigger dynamics are probably the biggest things that set them apart. Not that Aegis doesn't have these, but it's obvious there's a jump in technicalities there.
Fun stuff... more listening...
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One thing that is interesting about this amp is the XLR and 1/4" outputs are not exactly identical; the XLR out is a pseudo-balanced output with the transformer acting as a phase splitter. As such, the power outputs are slightly higher on the XLR, but with that also comes higher output impedances. IME, there is an audible difference between the two, two different flavors, one being more intimate and punchy, the other being more airy and spacious (to my ears, at least). So for those that have a demo unit and an XLR cable, I'd recommend giving the XLR out a try as well.
Will do! Have only tried XLR with Susvara so far, and that sounded really nice!
Can't wait to try it
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"Ah, yes, indeed, it's fun time. . ." 
I got to hear @L0rdGwyn's personal DIY Aegis at CanJam Dallas back in November of last year and that very unique and highly capable sound has been stuck in the back of my mind ever since. So with that said, I am super pumped and thankful to be able to demo a Commercial version and put it through it's paces in my own home.
I got to say this thing looks even more amazing in real life than it does online. This amplifier is heavy as heck, and my HA300MK2 is very heavy as well, but I think the Aegis just might have it beat.
More to come after I fired it up and spend some quality time listening with it. The tube roller in me already is having thoughts of possible tube combos. . . but I am going to just stick with the stock set for a little while and get a good feel for it first.
I got to hear @L0rdGwyn's personal DIY Aegis at CanJam Dallas back in November of last year and that very unique and highly capable sound has been stuck in the back of my mind ever since. So with that said, I am super pumped and thankful to be able to demo a Commercial version and put it through it's paces in my own home.
I got to say this thing looks even more amazing in real life than it does online. This amplifier is heavy as heck, and my HA300MK2 is very heavy as well, but I think the Aegis just might have it beat.
More to come after I fired it up and spend some quality time listening with it. The tube roller in me already is having thoughts of possible tube combos. . . but I am going to just stick with the stock set for a little while and get a good feel for it first.
TheMiddleSky
Headphoneus Supremus
"Ah, yes, indeed, it's fun time. . ."
I got to hear @L0rdGwyn's personal DIY Aegis at CanJam Dallas back in November of last year and that very unique and highly capable sound has been stuck in the back of my mind ever since. So with that said, I am super pumped and thankful to be able to demo a Commercial version and put it through it's paces in my own home.
I got to say this thing looks even more amazing in real life than it does online. This amplifier is heavy as heck, and my HA300MK2 is very heavy as well, but I think the Aegis just might have it beat.
More to come after I fired it up and spend some quality time listening with it. The tube roller in me already is having thoughts of possible tube combos. . . but I am going to just stick with the stock set for a little while and get a good feel for it first.
wooo, can't wait for your impression vs Cayin 300B!
Got it up and running, and I am absolutely loving what I am hearing so far. I got to say, this is the quietest tube amp I have ever heard. There is zero noise whatsoever, and I seriously can't even tell the amp is on, without looking to see if the tubes and meters are lit up. It's a spooky kind of quiet with my VC's, of which usually pick up noise if it's there. The background is pitch black, of which really let's the detail and nuances come through in full effect. Within the first few seconds of listening, you can already tell this is TOTL level sound and has something special. . .
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