[G8torbyte]

Just joined team AO on Saturday!!!! Picked them up at CanJam. I’ll share photos and impressions later but needless to say I’m thrilled with how they sound and look. Major shout out to @zach915m, Bevin and the entire ZFM team who were so patient and kind with me and others who were demoing the myriad of headphones/amps on display. Love supporting a USA small business that creates wonderful flagship products and is led by people who care passionately about them and their customers.

Congrats to all the new owners! There was a table with many nice Atriums for sale at CanJam yesterday and most were sold by mid-afternoon. Yes, Zach's team was super helpful with everyone there. I was very tempted to get a Bocote Caldera or a VO in a pretty Padauk. Caldera will likely be my next purchase and just waiting to see what new LTD's they come up with. I had a nice chat with Zach later in the day out in the break area outside the hall. I told him how much I've enjoyed the Atrium since last year and that his customer service is outstanding.

 

[Mike C]

Not sure my BHC/Speedball qualifies as the right amp. But Helplessly Hoping just came on and the vocal attack definitely gets to ‘crisp’ — RIP DC.

Fleetwood Mac Never Going Back followed, and Lindsey’s guitar is super engaging. Then Dylan & Cash Girl From the North Country … vocals really mesh well. Dylan’s higher register floats over the Cash’s bedrock.

I just love how Atrium handles all offerings with aplomb.

mTT2 ==> BHC ==> Atrium

Chatham 5998 & GEC L63s (also marked CV1067) BHC is modded to take a pair in place of 12AU7 (either/or)

I will say that

mTT2 ==> DSHA-3F ==> Atrium

is very engaging/incisive/crisp. I suppose that chain trades a little euphony for a bit more precision and impact vs BHC chain, but it’s a fairly subtle difference. Meanwhile

mTT2 ==> BHC ==> Liquid Gold X ==> Atrium

splits the difference.

< edit >
Gretchen Peters Ring Around the Moon is incredible … her voice literally gushes emotion.
< /edit >

Not sure my BHC/Speedball qualifies as the right amp. But Helplessly Hoping just came on and the vocal attack definitely gets to ‘crisp’ — RIP DC.

Fleetwood Mac Never Going Back followed, and Lindsey’s guitar is super engaging. Then Dylan & Cash Girl From the North Country … vocals really mesh well. Dylan’s higher register floats over the Cash’s bedrock.

>

Of course it's the right amp!
Designed and developed by a great guy who loves what he does, and it shows.

I like your choices of music; though she is not well known this side of the pond, I do have some Gretchen Peters, lovely voice.

 

[LCMusicLover]

Of course it's the right amp!
Designed and developed by a great guy who loves what he does, and it shows …

I know! I gotta stop looking at Cayin amp porn.

 

[Badlands]

Some quick thoughts on the process which resulted in my purchase of Atrium Open.

Listening was done with my Lotoo 6K directly connected via RCA to a Cayin HA-3A.

First of all, is it worth traveling to a CanJam to demo prior to purchase? Absolutely. I’m lucky that I live 2 hours away from NYC and I realize not everyone lives in proximity to a CanJam event or high end audio store. For me, the ability to demo VO, AC, Caldera and AO even in suboptimal show conditions allowed me to ascertain the overall ZMF house sound and which headphone would resonate with me the most. After a few listens, it was the AO. When Springsteen’s vocal started on Chasing Wild Horses and the strings enveloped my ears, I had to hold back tears. That was it. I connected emotionally. Transducer Dopamine. Sold.

Now, please don’t read that as me saying AO is the best ZMF headphone. Caldera has incisiveness, transparency and instrument separation. Combine that with ZMF’s sonic texture and extension at both ends of the frequency spectrum… You’ve got a world class headphone.

However, AO had the right mix of slam, soundstage, note texture and bio cellulose smoothness which better fit my sonic preferences. Listening to Caldera/AO back to back gave me essential perspective that empowered my decision making process.

I realize that 20 minutes of comparative listening time doesn’t provide a full picture of a headphone’s performance but it boosted my confidence that I was making the best purchasing decision for me.

One final note. The beauty of the ZMF headphone aesthetic is not fully realized until you witness those works of art in person.

 

[wolfstar76]

Some quick thoughts on the process which resulted in my purchase of Atrium Open.

Listening was done with my Lotoo 6K directly connected via RCA to a Cayin HA-3A.

First of all, is it worth traveling to a CanJam to demo prior to purchase? Absolutely. I’m lucky that I live 2 hours away from NYC and I realize not everyone lives in proximity to a CanJam event or high end audio store. For me, the ability to demo VO, AC, Caldera and AO even in suboptimal show conditions allowed me to ascertain the overall ZMF house sound and which headphone would resonate with me the most. After a few listens, it was the AO. When Springsteen’s vocal started on Chasing Wild Horses and the strings enveloped my ears, I had to hold back tears. That was it. I connected emotionally. Transducer Dopamine. Sold.

Now, please don’t read that as me saying AO is the best ZMF headphone. Caldera has incisiveness, transparency and instrument separation. Combine that with ZMF’s sonic texture and extension at both ends of the frequency spectrum… You’ve got a world class headphone.

However, AO had the right mix of slam, soundstage, note texture and bio cellulose smoothness which better fit my sonic preferences. Listening to Caldera/AO back to back gave me essential perspective that empowered my decision making process.

I realize that 20 minutes of comparative listening time doesn’t provide a full picture of a headphone’s performance but it boosted my confidence that I was making the best purchasing decision for me.

One final note. The beauty of the ZMF headphone aesthetic is not fully realized until you witness those works of art in person.

How about Atrium vs VC?

 

[Badlands]

How about Atrium vs VC?

Hello! That was the one ZMF I didn’t demo this time.

 

[msq123]

Keep an eye out for a flagship ZMF open back shootout on ConvinceMeAudio (YouTube)

 

[HONEYBOY]

At CanJam New York, I couldn't resist getting these beauties! They sound really nice with the Luna, the type of set where you just sit back and enjoy rather than overly analyze. Delighted to have it in my collection.

 

[dleblanc343]

At CanJam New York, I couldn't resist getting these beauties! They sound really nice with the Luna, the type of set where you just sit back and enjoy rather than overly analyze. Delighted to have it in my collection.

Can confirm that this specific set was both beautiful and of course beautiful sounding.

Also absolutely worth mentioning that this is a world class, OG Head-Fier - it was great meeting you man!

 

[HONEYBOY]

Can confirm that this specific set was both beautiful and of course beautiful sounding.

Also absolutely worth mentioning that this is a world class, OG Head-Fier - it was great meeting you man!

You are an absolute gent. Very nice to meet you as well! Appreciate getting to hear your ATH-W2022. Those were a highlight.

 

[wolfstar76]

Can confirm that this specific set was both beautiful and of course beautiful sounding.

Also absolutely worth mentioning that this is a world class, OG Head-Fier - it was great meeting you man!

You are a collector! . BTW, why did you sell all of your VC while keep a VO? I was thinking about my next ZMF, originally between VC and Caldera. But last time I was in CanJam, what blew me away was probably a VO (since vague memory as I was the first time hearing ZMF).

 

[dleblanc343]

You are a collector! . BTW, why did you sell all of your VC while keep a VO? I was thinking about my next ZMF, originally between VC and Caldera. But last time I was in CanJam, what blew me away was probably a VO (since vague memory as I was the first time hearing ZMF).

I prefer the tuning of VO over the Closed, as the high frequency is a bit more controlled and the bass also not as exagerated. It's a very great pair for classic rock and older recordings all while staying dynamic and engaging/ detailed.

I got an offer for my VC for an Auteur Classic Stabilized and really wanted to hear it + it would bring a different flavor to the table. That's the only reason I parted ways.

Turns out I really like the Auteur Classic too so the more ZMF the merrier

 

[goldwerger]

At CanJam New York, I couldn't resist getting these beauties! They sound really nice with the Luna, the type of set where you just sit back and enjoy rather than overly analyze. Delighted to have it in my collection.

Hey Seab, nice set!

this amp with your Tambaqui was a wonderful listen. I can imagine the Atrium on this set up with soar.. enjoy

 

[HONEYBOY]

Hey Seab, nice set!

this amp with your Tambaqui was a wonderful listen. I can imagine the Atrium on this set up with soar.. enjoy

Thanks man! Always good to catch up with you. Good times are rolling! That’s for sure

 

[bokononista]

Hi everybody! I enjoy my new ZMF Atrium for about a week and looking for future amp possibilities. I have Yggdrasil A2 and Ragnarok and I think Atrium is good on SS because it profits from SS speed - but today, I tried it with Shiit Vali 2 (only amp with tubes i have for now) and was suprised how good it was. So i think maybe some hybrid amp like Lyr 3 or Mjolnir can be also great match? Does anybody have experience with it? I am also thinking about Feliks Euforia AE, because of recommendations here.