Pharmaboy
Headphoneus Supremus
I heard the Auteur a number of times at shows (a few times at some leisure & not noisy surroundings). I heard one IMS very briefly one time. To date I've heard all 6 ZMF dynamics IMS, 5 of them (Atticus, Eikon, Aeolus, Verite open, Verite closed) for weeks at a time. Currently I own an Ori, an Eikon, and will soon own an Aeolus.
The only one of this group that was really amp picky was the Atticus. You'll see many comments to that effect in the Atticus & Eikon thread. But I found that all the others not only aren't especially amp picky, but they'll really surprise you with unexpected synergies with this or that amp (I have 6: 5 X SS & 1 OTL tube--and it was 7 until I sold the WA22).
I can suggest 3 currently available mid-priced amps, based on personal experience w/ZMF high impedance dynamics:
The only one of this group that was really amp picky was the Atticus. You'll see many comments to that effect in the Atticus & Eikon thread. But I found that all the others not only aren't especially amp picky, but they'll really surprise you with unexpected synergies with this or that amp (I have 6: 5 X SS & 1 OTL tube--and it was 7 until I sold the WA22).
I can suggest 3 currently available mid-priced amps, based on personal experience w/ZMF high impedance dynamics:
- Liquid Carbon v2 (its equivalent is occasionally available on Drop) -- lots of power, somewhat warm, great bass. Surprisingly, this amp doesn't push ZMF dynamics to greater warmth than they already posess (synergy is unpredictable in ways like this)
- Lake People G109A (the nearly identical G109S is currently available for ~$475) -- single-ended amp with plenty of power, slight warmth, solid/dynamic bass, and a musical sound on every headphone I ever tried on it
- Woo WA3: This is Woo's least expensive tube amp, but it pleased me from day-1 on. It has plenty of power for every headphone I've tried; slight warmth (though not gooey/syrupy in the least). I get something special out of every high impedance headphone on this OTL, usually along the lines of quiet, controlled, calm, and very musical sound. This one costs $599 new. I got it w/the upgraded driver tubes for more $$, but you could easily roll your own for ~$100-$150 for top NOS tubes.
Last edited: