ZMF Caldera Closed

[G8torbyte]

For the price, is there any other tube amp I should consider to pair with the CC other than the Aegis?

Sure, Icon Audio HP8 is a nice output transformer coupled amp that does very well with ZMFs (dynamics and planar)
Base level is around $1500. Upgrade options with better tubes and capacitors are available for another $500 or so.

 

[s2kphile]

For the price, is there any other tube amp I should consider to pair with the CC other than the Aegis?

Depends on your budget but I enjoy them on my Cayin HA-2A and the cheaper Apos Gremlin tube hybrid. For $120 USD it powers the CC surprisingly well.

 

[lauthoerer]

Icon Audio HP8 is a nice output transformer coupled amp that does very well with ZMFs

Seconded! The HP8 is growing on me for driving my CC (which was previously subscribed to the US5 only). Been listening to Metallica's Justice LP the other day and HOLY MOTHER OF GOODNESS was that a thrill ride!

 

[AudioDuck]

Rolled in the Thick (Lamb, Top Perf) pads on my (Bocote LTD) CC today and am greatly enjoying some Me’shell Ndegeocello with this combo. It’s great to have a few pairs of pads to check out with the CC!

 

[Aetherhole]

Rolled in the Thick (Lamb, Top Perf) pads on my (Bocote LTD) CC today and am greatly enjoying some Me’shell Ndegeocello with this combo. It’s great to have a few pairs of pads to check out with the CC!

Beautiful, sir!! Love all the wood matching aesthetics!

 

[jmanpd]

Finally got these bad boys home.

What Zach and the ZMF team do with these closed backs is magical. Have tried the open back versions and I actually prefer the closed counterparts just because of how impressive it is to keep it sounding so open while isolating (not only because my wife told me to keep it down).

CCs keeps that ZMF magic with the clarity close to the Susvaras. Sits right between my ACs and Susvaras (literally).

As my friend @LXMc said, this is how a collection starts

 

[Aetherhole]

Finally got these bad boys home.

What Zach does with these closed backs is magical. Have tried the open back versions and I actually prefer the closed counterparts just because of how impressive it is to keep it sounding so open while isolating (not only because my wife told me to keep it down).

CCs keeps that ZMF magic with the clarity close to the Susvaras. Sits right between my ACs and Susvaras (literally).

As my friend @LXMc said, this is how a collection starts

Agreed, Caldera Closed is my hands down my favorite closed back!

 

[jonathan c]

Caldera Closed can really with:

Icon Audio HP8 ,

SparkoS Lab Gemini ,

Mass Kobo 433 ,

Nitsch DSHA-3FN . Musical satisfaction with each pairing !!

 

[inthere]

Tube amps are very unpredictable and honestly I can't imagine anything beating the Aegis at that price. Personally I'd check into tube options others are using. I've had headphones distorting on tube amps then clearing up after replacing the tubes with different ones. Then some headphones just don't play nice with tube amps and sound horrible. I use a Feliks Audio Evo atm with my CC atm and it sounds great, but I bet that's tube specific.

 

[L0rdGwyn]

Special delivery day before leaving for CanJam NYC.



Amboyna burl.

 

[Wes S]

Special delivery day before leaving for CanJam NYC.



Amboyna burl.

Wow!!! Absolutely gorgeous.

 

[AnyDave]

Special delivery day before leaving for CanJam NYC.



Amboyna burl.

Beautiful Amboyna pair!

I got my B&W Ebony set this week as well.

 

[mattiastomas]

Beautiful Amboyna pair!

I got my B&W Ebony set this week as well.

Love the grain on that! Looks amazing!

Side note, are you going to CanJam NYC?

 

[erics75]

Beautiful Amboyna pair!

I got my B&W Ebony set this week as well.

Stunning! Wanna trade for some Beats?

 

[Wes S]

Beautiful Amboyna pair!

I got my B&W Ebony set this week as well.

Dang!!! Those look crazy cool.