ZMF Aegis Official Thread

[Schuie Driver]

So didn’t realize how long burn in on new tubes take. Picked up some Gold Lion kt88 and heard mixed reviews from them but for most part told to at least give them 50hrs to open up and up to 100hrs to fully settle in. Didn’t really care for them when first put in and was so tempted to just swap out. But now at 50hrs, I find them already better than the EI kt90’s. First thing I noticed is the wider and more open soundstage. Also, music seems more emotional and richer. The kt90 is pretty close on richness but is almost too precise. The Gold Lion are just as punchy but have more bloom so has more weight and texture.

This is all with my gz34 f31 fat base, which is somewhat of game changer. Really gives whole system more power and clarity. Bigger upgrade from f32 version than I originally thought. Then have the RCA 5691 red base. Haven’t messed with these and don’t plan too. So now I’m done tube rolling. Maybe eventually spring for GEC kt88 when have some disposable cash but in no rush.

The 5691’s are quite nice for sure.

 

[theveterans]

Since we're talking about KT 88.
Has anyone tried the Ps Vane KT88 Cossors by any chance or can say more about them?
You can find next-to-nothing on the net about them.

Never heard Cossors being made by Psvane. I've seen the EAT KT88 which is the most expensive one I've seen so far, easily beating the GEC KT88 in the price

 

[Hickory Deadglove]

Never heard Cossors being made by Psvane. I've seen the EAT KT88 which is the most expensive one I've seen so far, easily beating the GEC KT88 in the price

He mean these, Psvane also sell Pswar named tubes. No idea how they sound.

 

[theveterans]

He mean these, Psvane also sell Pswar named tubes. No idea how they sound.

They look like JJ Blue KT88 but good thing is that they’re relatively affordable especially for a KT88 tube

 

[bajaed]

I upgraded my Rogue Cronus Magnum to the Dark model and upgraded power tubes to Psvane Acme KT-88. Acme is Psvane's high end series but priced much better than some of the high end tubes like Apos Ray (less than half the price).
I'm extremely happy with the Psvane Acme KT-88, they sound incredible and have performed flawlessly for over eight months. I also have Psvane Horizon 12ax7 and 12au7's and they are high quality and prices are a bargain. They sound much better than new production Tung Sol, EH,JJ etc and even better than Gold Lions imo. Can be ordered from Amazon. Make sure you select the Psvane Direct store on Amazon as opposed to other vendors that also sell there.

 

[Isaacc7]

I upgraded my Rogue Cronus Magnum to the Dark model and upgraded power tubes to Psvane Acme KT-88. Acme is Psvane's high end series but priced much better than some of the high end tubes like Apos Ray (less than half the price).
I'm extremely happy with the Psvane Acme KT-88, they sound incredible and have performed flawlessly for over eight months. I also have Psvane Horizon 12ax7 and 12au7's and they are high quality and prices are a bargain. They sound much better than new production Tung Sol, EH,JJ etc and even better than Gold Lions imo. Can be ordered from Amazon. Make sure you select the Psvane Direct store on Amazon as opposed to other vendors that also sell there.

There's a notice on the Psvane website that they are keeping the prices the same until May 1st, after that tariffs kick in for the US.

 

[Hickory Deadglove]

There's a notice on the Psvane website that they are keeping the prices the same until May 1st, after that tariffs kick in for the US.

And for non-US resident like me, just wait for the November 11th sale at Aliexpress, one can get up to 70% reduction on a lot of stuff.

 

[theveterans]

Nice to see KT88 resurgence here

I'm just biased. KT88 is still the ultimate planar magnetic power tube for me with visceral bass, excellent bass and treble extension, very fast dynamics, very resolving of detail retrieval, holographic soundstage and just wide-open airy sound!

 

[tholt]

Nice to see KT88 resurgence here

I'm just biased. KT88 is still the ultimate planar magnetic power tube for me with visceral bass, excellent bass and treble extension, very fast dynamics, very resolving of detail retrieval, holographic soundstage and just wide-open airy sound!

Hellz to the yeahz. Very true for planar performance. And Ei KT90s are up there as well

 

[Toonartist]

Nice to see KT88 resurgence here

I'm just biased. KT88 is still the ultimate planar magnetic power tube for me with visceral bass, excellent bass and treble extension, very fast dynamics, very resolving of detail retrieval, holographic soundstage and just wide-open airy sound!

Indeed

@iamoneagain Congrats, if they’re anything like the GEC KT88, they’ll also need a little bit longer to warm up before sounding their best. They don’t like to be rushed

 

[dsherrick]

I am planning to purchase the Aegis very soon and have some timing and logistics questions. I live in the United States.

I am traveling and would like to time delivery to my home for mid-May. On the other hand, of course, I don’t want a delay in ordering to result in a price increase or availability problems based on the recent tariff changes.

Can anyone tell me about how long between ordering and actual delivery (I am in Michigan). Perhaps more important, does anyone know, or have a prediction, about timing and magnitude of impact of the tariffs?

I also see that the extra tube bundle is currently sold out. Does anyone know if there are plans for offering a different alternative tube bundle?

Thanks to everyone. I am excited to become a new owner and will continue making my way through all the posts in the wonderful forum to learn about this great product, tube rolling options, etc.

 

[mchuckp]

I am planning to purchase the Aegis very soon and have some timing and logistics questions. I live in the United States.

I am traveling and would like to time delivery to my home for mid-May. On the other hand, of course, I don’t want a delay in ordering to result in a price increase or availability problems based on the recent tariff changes.

Can anyone tell me about how long between ordering and actual delivery (I am in Michigan). Perhaps more important, does anyone know, or have a prediction, about timing and magnitude of impact of the tariffs?

I also see that the extra tube bundle is currently sold out. Does anyone know if there are plans for offering a different alternative tube bundle?

Thanks to everyone. I am excited to become a new owner and will continue making my way through all the posts in the wonderful forum to learn about this great product, tube rolling options, etc.

I would reach out to ZMF directly about all the purchasing and shipping questions. I bet you could buy it and pay for it and then have them delay shipment if you wanted to.

As for the tube bundle, keep in mind that the Aegis comes with a full complement of tubes. The TAD bundle that is offered is a TAD rectifier and power tubes and some input tubes that are not TAD. Honestly, I find the input tubes junk. The TAD tubes are good. If you really wanted them, you can just get those from another retailer (unless out of stock everywhere). There are also plenty of other new stock and old stock tubes you could try.

 

[mattiastomas]

I am planning to purchase the Aegis very soon and have some timing and logistics questions. I live in the United States.

I am traveling and would like to time delivery to my home for mid-May. On the other hand, of course, I don’t want a delay in ordering to result in a price increase or availability problems based on the recent tariff changes.

Can anyone tell me about how long between ordering and actual delivery (I am in Michigan). Perhaps more important, does anyone know, or have a prediction, about timing and magnitude of impact of the tariffs?

I also see that the extra tube bundle is currently sold out. Does anyone know if there are plans for offering a different alternative tube bundle?

Thanks to everyone. I am excited to become a new owner and will continue making my way through all the posts in the wonderful forum to learn about this great product, tube rolling options, etc.

As mchuckp said, definitely email the ZMF team with all those questions.

If you don't mind used, I've seen a couple come up recently for sale in the classifieds, so you could check there too. Not affiliated with any of the sellers, just something I saw recently.

 

[mchuckp]

As mchuckp said, definitely email the ZMF team with all those questions.

If you don't mind used, I've seen a couple come up recently for sale in the classifieds, so you could check there too. Not affiliated with any of the sellers, just something I saw recently.

I've got the rectifier in the TAD bundle for sale for $25. Not compatible with DIY version so can't use it. The KT88's I don't have for sale but I find great tubes.
https://www.head-fi.org/classifieds/tad-5u4g-red-base-works-with-aegis.84275/

 

[Wes S]

Nice to see KT88 resurgence here

I'm just biased. KT88 is still the ultimate planar magnetic power tube for me with visceral bass, excellent bass and treble extension, very fast dynamics, very resolving of detail retrieval, holographic soundstage and just wide-open airy sound!

How (where) are the mids?

@Toonartist tist how would you say the GEC KT88 Black Plates compare to the 4654 Red Paint? I am trying to get some kind of idea of the KT88 sound. . .