Pics are definitely not a requirement, but usually appreciated by most people here. Looking forward to it!
ZMF Aeolus Impressions thread
- Thread starter smodtactical
- Start date
don't tempt me, my wallet can't handle this...2022 OK: Canjam, ZMF…..make it a trifecta with a output transformer-less (OTL) tube headphone amplifier?….
?
what are some beginner OTL that are good for the Aeolus? BHC would be ideal (at least from what i have been reading), but the shipping + taxes might skew the price to performance ratio slightly
jonathan c
Headphoneus Supremus
Eufonika (various models), Woo WA3 (discontinued: they do appear in the classified adverts), Xduoo TA-26 are three to investigate.
Is it true that the TA-26 and the Darkvoice 336SE are the same internal structure?
jonathan c
Headphoneus Supremus
Similar configuration: one ‘6080’ type tube + one ‘6SN7’ type tube. As for ‘internal structure’: capacitors, resistors, wiring, I cannot say. What I have read about the TA-26 is that it is far less prone to hum than the DV.
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Marlowe
500+ Head-Fier
Not saying anything that has not been said elsewhere on this thread, but the Schiit Valhalla 2 ($350 USD) sounds very nice with the Aeolus. I bet that the somewhat less expensive Little Dot MK III would sound pretty good also, but though I have one boxed in the closet, I sheepishly admit I've never broken it out and used it with the Aeolus. I can't say what the final delivered prices of these amps would be in particular countries outside the US (though the Little Dot, of course, is China sourced).
The price to performance ration of the Bottlehead Crack also depends heavily on your ability/willingness to assemble it from a kit (and paying a competent assembler nearly doubles the price). Apologies, but this is a pet peeve of mine since, despite my protestations, I've been told numerous times on these and other forums how "easy" it is to assemble. It's sort of like gourmet cooking. If you've acquired the skill to cook a gourmet meal, it's easy, but if your cooking skills (like mine) are limited to boiling water, it's not. And as a 68-year old who was an inept klutz in elementary school arts and crafts and high school shop, my water boiling skills are a whole lot better than my (absolutely non-existent) soldering skills.
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mvneufeld
100+ Head-Fier
+1 for Eufonika model H5 + Miflex KPCU. You can find it on Etsy for around $515. Be prepared to wait a month or two to get it from the guy in Poland who makes them. Fantastic synergy with ZMF headphones, very well designed and built. I wrote a short review a while back: Post #237 of 451
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Deleeh
Headphoneus Supremus
Hello,
There is currently someone selling in the Classefields just have a look.
Here is the link to it:
https://www.head-fi.org/classifieds/eufonika-h5-miflex-extra-tubes.25998/
Is a Eu version,not US.
There is currently someone selling in the Classefields just have a look.
Here is the link to it:
https://www.head-fi.org/classifieds/eufonika-h5-miflex-extra-tubes.25998/
Is a Eu version,not US.
mvneufeld
100+ Head-Fier
I've had my Aeolus for about 6 months and I really like it. I have the OTL Eufonika H5 mentioned in my post above and mostly listen to jazz, and the Aeolus is throughly enjoyable. It's not the slightest bit fatiguing, and I'm pretty happy with the resolution/detail and FR. I have a Sennehiser HD800S if I want to do critical listening, and I find the HD800S's notorious shortcomings pretty much disappear with a good OTL amp.
But FOMO/upgrade-itis is gnawing at my tiny brain. Is it worth selling the Aeolus for $1000 and spending another $1500 to get the Atrium? And if I sold the Aeolus and the HD800S, that would pay for an Atrium... On the other hand I'm really fond of my current headphones. I'm so confused!
I wonder if any fellow Head-fiers have been in a similar position? Any buyer's remorse?
But FOMO/upgrade-itis is gnawing at my tiny brain. Is it worth selling the Aeolus for $1000 and spending another $1500 to get the Atrium? And if I sold the Aeolus and the HD800S, that would pay for an Atrium... On the other hand I'm really fond of my current headphones. I'm so confused!
I wonder if any fellow Head-fiers have been in a similar position? Any buyer's remorse?
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raindownthunda
100+ Head-Fier
Off topic but I would love to see a comparison between the Eufonika H5 and Bottlehead Crack. Anyone know if that’s been done yet?
Not that I have an Atrium, but every time I consider selling my Aeolus, I start to really hear what makes it special. It's definitely got its own way of doing things that I love. Could the Atrium be the "one to rule them all?" Maybe. But if I sold a couple headphones in my collection in order to buy an Atrium, I'd lose out on the variety of having these different flavors.
I would at least advise trying to give it a listen before selling off your Aeolus and HD800S. I know I'm waiting to hear them at the latest by CanJam SoCal in September. Like all ZMF's, there's never been any real "better" between their models, aside from pure technicalities. Each one brings something special and unique to the listening experience.
Good advice IMO. IDK how close you are to Long Beach (or your schedule for that matter) but if you wanted to check them out sooner, there's always T.H.E. Show at the Hilton Long Beach. That's going to be June 10th -12th. Just an idea...
jonathan c
Headphoneus Supremus
Each ZMF headphone speaks eloquently & musically with its own voice suggestive of that of its siblings. There is no ‘black sheep / lone wolf’ in the house that Zack / Bevin built.
JazzVinyl
Headphoneus Supremus
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In my opinion the Aeolus really blossoms and coves alive via tube amplification. Makes life a lovely thing
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