[raindownthunda]

Really enjoying the ZMF Pilot pad with the Aeolus. The suede is sooooo comfy! It's like a pillow on your head.

 

[iFi audio]

I always listen to my Aeolus with Pro iCAN, in Tube + Mode, and for me, it's a perfect Match!

Thanks and enjoy

 

[MRHiFiReviews]

I always listen to my Aeolus with Pro iCAN, in Tube + Mode, and for me, it's a perfect Match!

I would second this as well the iFi Pro iCAN has great synergy with then ZMF Aeolus in all three of its stages solid state, tube, and tube + with tube plus as my favorite with that amp as well. Shoot the iFi IDSD micro black label does too! I have iFi Pro iCAN kindly on loan from the kind folks at iFi for review and I will be discussing the synergy with a few different headphones on my YouTube in detail. Spoiler alert it’s one of the most versatile amps out there and has very good synergy with the Aeolus and Verite Open.

Also the ZMF pendant which I have in for review and LYR3 sound incredible with the Aeolus and Verite Open lastly for a more euphonic lush sound if that’s your thing the Elise MK2 sounds pretty sweet. It will ultimately come down to personal preference. I think from my experience of almost a year with the Aeolus is it really sounds it’s best off tube hybrid or OTL amps. I will be able to give more details on the sound with the incredible ZMF Pendant very soon! The Aeolus remains one of my favorite sounding headphones and it really scales up with better amps! ZMF sound is just fantastic! @FloydCouncil

 

[Pharmaboy]

Really enjoying the ZMF Pilot pad with the Aeolus. The suede is sooooo comfy! It's like a pillow on your head.

I have one of the original lambskin Pilot Pads on my Ori--love the comfort & feel of it. But my Aeolus is very comfortable w/the stock leather strap...don't feel I need any help w/that.

Is your Aeolus zirocote? The contrast between the wood & the SS grill is very nice.

I have the same grill on my blackwood Aeolus--wouldn't have it any other way.

 

[MRHiFiReviews]

I have one of the original lambskin Pilot Pads on my Ori--love the comfort & feel of it. But my Aeolus is very comfortable w/the stock leather strap...don't feel I need any help w/that.

Is your Aeolus zirocote? The contrast between the wood & the SS grill is very nice.

I have the same grill on my blackwood Aeolus--wouldn't have it any other way.

I need to check out a pilot pad too! I think they are comfortable without, but lots of people swear by the pilot pad!

 

[Louisiana]

Also the ZMF pendant which I have in for review and LYR3 sound incredible with the Aeolus and Verite Open lastly for a more euphonic lush sound if that’s your thing the Elise MK2 sounds pretty sweet. It will ultimately come down to personal preference. I think from my experience of almost a year with the Aeolus is it really sounds it’s best off tube hybrid or OTL amps. I will be able to give more details on the sound with the incredible ZMF Pendant very soon! The Aeolus remains one of my favorite sounding headphones and it really scales up with better amps! ZMF sound is just fantastic! @FloydCouncil

Thanks for the pictures.
I would really like to have a ZMF Pendant, just stupid that when I order from the USA, the problem is always with customs.

 

[raindownthunda]

I have one of the original lambskin Pilot Pads on my Ori--love the comfort & feel of it. But my Aeolus is very comfortable w/the stock leather strap...don't feel I need any help w/that.

Is your Aeolus zirocote? The contrast between the wood & the SS grill is very nice.

I have the same grill on my blackwood Aeolus--wouldn't have it any other way.

Ziricote - Yes! I loooove the dark wood + SS combinations. I think they all look pretty classy. I am crossing my fingers that another dark wood LTD run happens for the Verite Closed to get a matching pair...

I love the wood so much that I ended up buying some ziricote blanks to build a matching base for a Bottlehead Crack to pair with the Aeolus. Turns out it's pretty hard to source ziricote in the PNW, but found two blanks on ebay so built two bases (@Darthpool has the 2nd one) with the help of a co-worker who has a wood shop. Zach was super helpful in guiding me through the finishing process as I am not an experienced wood worker. Many mistakes were made haha.

Here is an album with an assortment of pics from the build process + final product: https://imgur.com/a/uATdg3g

 

[raindownthunda]

I would second this as well the iFi Pro iCAN has great synergy with then ZMF Aeolus in all three of its stages solid state, tube, and tube + with tube plus as my favorite with that amp as well. Shoot the iFi IDSD micro black label does too! I have iFi Pro iCAN kindly on loan from the kind folks at iFi for review and I will be discussing the synergy with a few different headphones on my YouTube in detail. Spoiler alert it’s one of the most versatile amps out there and has very good synergy with the Aeolus and Verite Open.

Also the ZMF pendant which I have in for review and LYR3 sound incredible with the Aeolus and Verite Open lastly for a more euphonic lush sound if that’s your thing the Elise MK2 sounds pretty sweet. It will ultimately come down to personal preference. I think from my experience of almost a year with the Aeolus is it really sounds it’s best off tube hybrid or OTL amps. I will be able to give more details on the sound with the incredible ZMF Pendant very soon! The Aeolus remains one of my favorite sounding headphones and it really scales up with better amps! ZMF sound is just fantastic! @FloydCouncil

Man, the burl pendant is a PERFECT fit for your office vibes & artwork. Really beautiful and clean setup!

 

[Pharmaboy]

Ziricote - Yes! I loooove the dark wood + SS combinations. I think they all look pretty classy. I am crossing my fingers that another dark wood LTD run happens for the Verite Closed to get a matching pair...

I love the wood so much that I ended up buying some ziricote blanks to build a matching base for a Bottlehead Crack to pair with the Aeolus. Turns out it's pretty hard to source ziricote in the PNW, but found two blanks on ebay so built two bases (@Darthpool has the 2nd one) with the help of a co-worker who has a wood shop. Zach was super helpful in guiding me through the finishing process as I am not an experienced wood worker. Many mistakes were made haha.

Here is an album with an assortment of pics from the build process + final product: https://imgur.com/a/uATdg3g

I lust after ziricote! Missed out on all the ZMFs that used it (my bad).

Like you, I adore dark woods (my Aeolus is blackwood, an amazing wood).

 

[MRHiFiReviews]

Man, the burl pendant is a PERFECT fit for your office vibes & artwork. Really beautiful and clean setup!

I know right!! @zach915m continues to just wow me!

 

[CaptainFantastic]

I started using the Hugo 2 with the Aeolus recently. I am amazed by how good this sounds. I thought the Aeolus was supposed to sound very good / best only on tubes. But I am really enjoying it on the Hugo 2. Does anyone else find that it pairs well with Chord gear? I am getting crazy medium-term thoughts about the TT2 now.

 

[MRHiFiReviews]

I started using the Hugo 2 with the Aeolus recently. I am amazed by how good this sounds. I thought the Aeolus was supposed to sound very good / best only on tubes. But I am really enjoying it on the Hugo 2. Does anyone else find that it pairs well with Chord gear? I am getting crazy medium-term thoughts about the TT2 now.

my buddy @Darthpool has a TT2 on hand and I bet he could give you impressions with the Aeolus when he gets a shot!

 

[robo24]

I started using the Hugo 2 with the Aeolus recently. I am amazed by how good this sounds. I thought the Aeolus was supposed to sound very good / best only on tubes. But I am really enjoying it on the Hugo 2. Does anyone else find that it pairs well with Chord gear? I am getting crazy medium-term thoughts about the TT2 now.

Same. I find all the ZMFs a great match with the Hugo 2, whether used alone or as a DAC with other amps. I'm thinking TT2 a my TOTL solid state amp, also driving my iESL via balanced and the Glenn OTL via single ended. Instead of the mishmash of devices, getting it down to 3 would be nice. It's odd but I've seen comments that the TT2 is both warmer and brighter than the Hugo 2, so no idea which is true.

 

[GDuss]

I started using the Hugo 2 with the Aeolus recently. I am amazed by how good this sounds. I thought the Aeolus was supposed to sound very good / best only on tubes. But I am really enjoying it on the Hugo 2. Does anyone else find that it pairs well with Chord gear? I am getting crazy medium-term thoughts about the TT2 now.

Here is my experience, for what it's worth. As you already know, I used to own the WA3 and listened to it with the Aeolus for months straight. At that time, I was mostly using the Mojo as a DAC but towards the end switched to Hugo2 as the DAC. At some point I did the same as you, tried jumping to the Hugo2 alone, with no tubes between the DAC and Aeolus. As clean and detailed as I thought I had gotten the WA3 by using a Tung Sol 5998 and some 1960's Sylvania 7308's, the switch to direct out of Hugo2 is many levels different in speed and detail. That change was extremely engaging after months with the WA3 and I had the same thoughts as you (why do I need anything other than Hugo2?). I stuck with that for a few weeks and then missed the sound of tubes. Ultimately, this led to searching for another tube amp that could retain the speed/detail of the Hugo2, and I ended up with a GOTL. With this amp I can more easily retain that engagement factor the Hugo2 provides while still having the sound of tubes. I'm sure there are other tube amps that can do this as well, and maybe the TT2 takes the strengths of Hugo2 and adds some of what I enjoy about tubes, but I haven't heard TT2 so can't say.

Long story short, maybe it's worth trying a different tube amp between the Hugo2 and Aeolus. At least before taking the leap to the TT2.

 

[CaptainFantastic]

Here is my experience, for what it's worth. As you already know, I used to own the WA3 and listened to it with the Aeolus for months straight. At that time, I was mostly using the Mojo as a DAC but towards the end switched to Hugo2 as the DAC. At some point I did the same as you, tried jumping to the Hugo2 alone, with no tubes between the DAC and Aeolus. As clean and detailed as I thought I had gotten the WA3 by using a Tung Sol 5998 and some 1960's Sylvania 7308's, the switch to direct out of Hugo2 is many levels different in speed and detail. That change was extremely engaging after months with the WA3 and I had the same thoughts as you (why do I need anything other than Hugo2?). I stuck with that for a few weeks and then missed the sound of tubes. Ultimately, this led to searching for another tube amp that could retain the speed/detail of the Hugo2, and I ended up with a GOTL. With this amp I can more easily retain that engagement factor the Hugo2 provides while still having the sound of tubes. I'm sure there are other tube amps that can do this as well, and maybe the TT2 takes the strengths of Hugo2 and adds some of what I enjoy about tubes, but I haven't heard TT2 so can't say.

Long story short, maybe it's worth trying a different tube amp between the Hugo2 and Aeolus. At least before taking the leap to the TT2.

Thanks! There have been good answers and great answers to queries. Yours exceeds both. Appreciated.

The trick would be finding an upgrade to the WA3 that makes use of my small collection of 5998s.