ZMF Aegis Official Thread

[Schuie Driver]

What kind of kt88 are you using?

So what I can tell already is the kt88 is not hitting quite as hard as the kt90. The kt90 takes it to Focal Utopia level of punch, which I like. You trade some impact for more open sound. But more a listen, think impact is actually pretty close. And it still has very deep bass. I’m not going to judge the mids since think that’s where NOS could make a difference. But yeah, so far this combo makes a lot of sense.

That's what I feel between my KT88's and my EL34's.

 

[theveterans]

What kind of kt88 are you using?

So what I can tell already is the kt88 is not hitting quite as hard as the kt90. The kt90 takes it to Focal Utopia level of punch, which I like. You trade some impact for more open sound. But more a listen, think impact is actually pretty close. And it still has very deep bass. I’m not going to judge the mids since think that’s where NOS could make a difference. But yeah, so far this combo makes a lot of sense.

I’m using the Full Music KT88/c

I also use the Full Music 6SL7 which definitely improved the physicality factor of the KT88 bass Also, you don’t lose the expansive sound stage at all so to me this new production tube is probably the best KT88 (caveat is it has to be paired with its companion full music 6SL7)

The combo made by same manufacturer is well tuned to complement each other

 

[Wes S]

Woke up super early, and it's go time!

CC's are on my head, and I am listening to this. . .

This one is for @Toonartist and @betula, and I see why y'all dig this band, and especially with a good planar. Talk about a wild ride! This album is recorded really well.

 

[theveterans]

Woke up super early, and it's go time!

CC's are on my head, and I am listening to this. . .



This one is for @Toonartist and @betula, and I see why y'all dig this band, and especially with a good planar. Talk about a wild ride! This album is recorded really well.

The whole IM albums are amazing!

I enjoy IM with both BO and Susvara as well! Shows you Aegis speed and no compression or blurring of notes when the mix get really complex

 

[VolatileLiquid]

Woke up super early, and it's go time!

CC's are on my head, and I am listening to this. . .



This one is for @Toonartist and @betula, and I see why y'all dig this band, and especially with a good planar. Talk about a wild ride! This album is recorded really well.

Staying up late, cc on head x zmf aegis, swapped out thick pads for protein pads, loved the trip on infected mushrooms, especially the track “becoming insane”. Here’s one for those that also like a wild ride but with clocks. That sound at 345 feels like it’s coming from in my head- quite an experience.

 

[betula]

Staying up late, cc on head x zmf aegis, swapped out thick pads for protein pads, loved the trip on infected mushrooms, especially the track “becoming insane”. Here’s one for those that also like a wild ride but with clocks. That sound at 345 feels like it’s coming from in my head- quite an experience.

Nice, clean recording, right up in my alley when I have the mood.
Symbolico have similar, tight and clean recordings. (And of course I have to mention Shpongle too.)

 

[Schuie Driver]

Bit of a plot twist regarding “the masher”. Apparently I was not having an issue with this tube but rather some sort of ground loop buzz I was getting through Aegis that I’m still not sure how it showed up.

Previously I had my Aegis, my Schiit Bifrost2 and my Node2 streamer plugged into a Belkin power conditioner without issue. However, since I returned home after a short vacation and plugged in the masher I was getting an electrical noise through the Aegis that I thought went away with a swap of the masher for my RCA 5R4gy double d plate getter. When I turned things on today though that electrical noise was back. Upon some recommendations from my friend @mchuckp I plugged Aegis directly into the wall outlet with the Bifrost and Node plugged into a surge protector which is plugged into the same outlet as Aegis but different socket. That seems to have cleared up the electrical noise and now I’m back to happy listening. Electrical gremlins and tracking down ground loop issues are the worst I swear.

Present roll is the TAD KT88’s, RCA 5691’s and obviously “the masher”. Not sure I love this combo as I prefer the bass heft of the JJ EL34’s vs the 88’s but it’s nice to have a different presentation of things today.

 

[rafalc]

Soviet 1579 must best value for money 6SL7. Airy holographic liquid.

 

[Schuie Driver]

Not an Aegis question, but do you all do anything in particular when it comes to gear and preventing ground loops or electrical noise? I seem particularly prone to this issue for some reason.

 

[rafalc]

Soviet 1579 must best value for money 6SL7. Airy holographic liquid.

 

[mattiastomas]

Not an Aegis question, but do you all do anything in particular when it comes to gear and preventing ground loops or electrical noise? I seem particularly prone to this issue for some reason.

I have my audio gear on its own extension cord plugged into an outlet. I keep it separated from everything else. Also not having my internet modem / router near it. That did the trick for me.

 

[Schuie Driver]

I have my audio gear on its own extension cord plugged into an outlet. I keep it separated from everything else. Also not having my internet modem / router near it. That did the trick for me.

Curious, is that outlet on a circuit shared anywhere else in the house or on its own?

 

[mattiastomas]

Curious, is that outlet on a circuit shared anywhere else in the house or on its own?

Mine is definitely shared. I'm renting in NYC. so definitely shared lol

 

[g4ndr1k]

Curious, is that outlet on a circuit shared anywhere else in the house or on its own?

If it’s shared with something too close, then it can definitely be a problem—at least in my case. I had a DC issue that caused transformer hum on the Marantz Model 50. When I moved my phone charger to another outlet, the hum disappeared.

Interestingly, the problem doesn’t happen with the Accuphase—maybe it has a better design (as it should, considering the Accuphase costs six times more than the Marantz, lol). You could also try using a Vinshine Tai Hang.

 

[martelanc24]

Not an Aegis question, but do you all do anything in particular when it comes to gear and preventing ground loops or electrical noise? I seem particularly prone to this issue for some reason.

With another tube amp, I had a ground loop issue or noise coming from my PC. Mouse movements, GPU activity, ... that was heard in my headphones. My DAC was connected with a USB cable straight to the PC. You can add a galvanic isolator if your DAC does not have galvanic isolation, or a DDC. The DDC solved my issue, but I use a SPDIF coaxial connection, which is isolated in the DDC.

Years ago I had a cordless phone transmitter near a headphone amplifier, and I could hear that interference in my headphones. If you happen to have one, try disconnecting or moving it.