ZMF Caldera Closed

[ECKHUAAA]

Thank you so much
How does the Caldera Closed sounds, only with the Cayin N30LE?
It's a big difference?

It Sounded awesome, I shared impressions on this much earlier on this thread before the C9ii was announced, however the fact that the C9ii is fully devoted to just the analog stage it allowed Cayin to improve over the pre and power amp design of the N30LE but it's the same circuit only now fully symmetrical and implemented completely without a lot of compromise.

 

[rsbrsvp]

Question about pads. Which pads are tonally going to slightly more detailed, less muddy than the hybrid? Is there anything between Hybrid and Protein?

The protain is not muddy but it does loose as some have said--- that 3D depth.... So trying to find an in between..

 

[TheMiddleSky]

Hello together!

I'm about to get a Caldera Closed which I will use in the office a lot where I don't have a fixed desk, so I want to get a dongle which I connect to my Macbook.
I know some of you have experience with the RU6/7 which I also have on my list. The others are the iBasso DC-Elite, iFi Go bar Kensei and the FiiO KA17.

Does anyone have experience with any of the three powering the CC (using the balanced output)? From what I read, the DC-Elite probably sounds the best (with fitting headphones / IEMs), but also has the least power … and I am pretty sure that it is not enough to power the CC. I currently tend to go with the FiiO KA17 as it has by far the most power (in desktop mode), I am just not sure about the sound quality compared to the others. Any experience?

And no, I don't want a DAP or some bigger portable amp or anything in that direction. It needs to be a small dongle like the ones above (I know, I won't get 100% out of the CC that way, but I want to get at least as much as possible ).

For more power and sound quality, get luxury precision W2 Ultra. A clear step up in detail, soundstage, with sweeter tonality than fiio ka17.

Question about pads. Which pads are tonally going to slightly more detailed, less muddy than the hybrid? Is there anything between Hybrid and Protein?

The protain is not muddy but it does loose as some have said--- that 3D depth.... So trying to find an in between..

Caldera leather pad (the original pad for caldera open)

 

[betula]

Question about pads. Which pads are tonally going to slightly more detailed, less muddy than the hybrid? Is there anything between Hybrid and Protein?

The protain is not muddy but it does loose as some have said--- that 3D depth.... So trying to find an in between..

Try the black mesh.

 

[rsbrsvp]

Try the black mesh.

Hi. Definately Black Mesh with the Hybrid. Red mesh is too congested for me. Although Red Mesh and Protein pads sounds similar tonally to black mesh and hybrid pads. I think the black mesh/hybrid pad is still brighter.

But black mesh and protein pads is most neutral with least decay- and I like that- but I do loose that depth.....

 

[rsbrsvp]

I will try the CO standard leather pad on my CO as @TheMiddleSky has suggested. I have a set here...

 

[funkyfish]

For more power and sound quality, get luxury precision W2 Ultra. A clear step up in detail, soundstage, with sweeter tonality than fiio ka17.

Thank you! That one looks indeed interesting, but unfortunately not available in Europe :/ Seems to be quite new though, so maybe it hasn't even been released her yet.

 

[bluex]

Just can't wait to get the CC, 3-4 days left
I'm not sure which cable I ordered
With the iBasso D16, I'd like to use the 4.4 balanced line-out
Do I need to order again the 4.4mm balanced cable, if the stock cables are 6.3mm to mini XLR / XLR to mini XLR?

" The Caldera Closed will come with ZMF’s stock braided balanced cable and single-ended alternative. These are both 5.5ft cables with the braided using a balanced 4-pin XLR/mini-XLR option and the other being single-ended with a 6.35mm jack and mini-XLR connectors "

Could anyone please explain?
Thank you

 

[goldwerger]

Just can't wait to get the CC, 3-4 days left
I'm not sure which cable I ordered
With the iBasso D16, I'd like to use the 4.4 balanced line-out
Do I need to order again the 4.4mm balanced cable, if the stock cables are 6.3mm to mini XLR / XLR to mini XLR?

" The Caldera Closed will come with ZMF’s stock braided balanced cable and single-ended alternative. These are both 5.5ft cables with the braided using a balanced 4-pin XLR/mini-XLR option and the other being single-ended with a 6.35mm jack and mini-XLR connectors "

Could anyone please explain?
Thank you

you won't be able to use the 6.3mm terminated cable, but you can get a 4-pin XLR to 4.4mm adapter and use that to connect to your 4-pin XLR cable to your DAP

but, ideally, just get a cable that is terminated in 4.4mm - pretty sure ZMF can offer that. perhaps just call them up before they ship it, or see if you could swap it

 

[bluex]

Can I find some cable like that, 4.4mm to mini XLR, online?
Something like this, would work?

https://www.projekt-akustik.de/meze...VWdoKW2jhjW0wPqfm9sk87xLy_ugrxKu8yhEPa2SwbmB0

Thank you

 

[bluex]

but you can get a 4-pin XLR to 4.4mm adapter and use that to connect to your 4-pin XLR cable to your

You mean, something like this one?

https://www.amazon.de/LINSOUL-DDHIF...501558102-B0BWNQTSFW-&hvexpln=75&gad_source=1


" but, ideally, just get a cable that is terminated in 4.4mm - pretty sure ZMF can offer that. perhaps just call them up before they ship it, or see if you could swap it"

What's the difference, actually, between 4 pin xlr to 4.4mm adapter and cable that is terminated in 4.4 mm ?

 

[JackarlTwo]

You mean, something like this one?

https://www.amazon.de/LINSOUL-DDHIF...501558102-B0BWNQTSFW-&hvexpln=75&gad_source=1



" but, ideally, just get a cable that is terminated in 4.4mm - pretty sure ZMF can offer that. perhaps just call them up before they ship it, or see if you could swap it"

What's the difference, actually, between 4 pin xlr to 4.4mm adapter and cable that is terminated in 4.4 mm ?

Something like that would work. It wouldn't be ideal of course because you have to deal with an adapter and of questionable quality etc. Did you order a 4.4 cable from ZMF? The default cables are terminated in 4-pin XLR and 6.35mm single ended unless you specify when ordering, as far as I know.

 

[bluex]

I don't remember exactly what kind of cables I ordered it
I just sent an email to the german ZMF dealer
I'll try to swap the order cable, but I'm afraid the ZMF already sent it to Germany.
But I could buy this one, I guess it would be okay
Thank you

https://headphone.shop/de/produkt/m...lUbKzR5z8nVUsbHb9Lm3vYaCdwEauRbcaArq8EALw_wcB

 

[visi77]

Just can't wait to get the CC, 3-4 days left
I'm not sure which cable I ordered
With the iBasso D16, I'd like to use the 4.4 balanced line-out
Do I need to order again the 4.4mm balanced cable, if the stock cables are 6.3mm to mini XLR / XLR to mini XLR?

" The Caldera Closed will come with ZMF’s stock braided balanced cable and single-ended alternative. These are both 5.5ft cables with the braided using a balanced 4-pin XLR/mini-XLR option and the other being single-ended with a 6.35mm jack and mini-XLR connectors "

Could anyone please explain?
Thank you

Did you order from headphone.shop? I’m waiting for mine to arrive too. They said they would get stock soon but that was 2 weeks ago

 

[goldwerger]

Can I find some cable like that, 4.4mm to mini XLR, online?
Something like this, would work?

https://www.projekt-akustik.de/meze...VWdoKW2jhjW0wPqfm9sk87xLy_ugrxKu8yhEPa2SwbmB0

Thank you

So in summary to all your above..

yes - that kind of cable will be easiest. it will get you right from the headphones to your DAP. 4.4mm and 4-pin XLR amp-side terminations are both balanced and elecrtically identical. That's why you can have adapter from one to the other.

If you plan to use it with your DAP, it will be most convenient for you to have such a directly cable. Meze does nice cables, so do many others. looks good option.

If you plan to also use your headphone with full-size/desktop amplifiers, 4-pin XLR is useful as most amps have that (and some, but less, have 4.4mm ports). in that case, getitng an adapter will let you use one cable with both.

in your case, getting a good quality cable from headphones to DAP is likely the most convenient option. you can always resell the cable later if you change your mind..