ZMF Caldera - New Planar Magnetic from ZMF!

Nov 9, 2024 at 8:50 AM Post #8,251 of 8,602
Nov 9, 2024 at 9:44 AM Post #8,253 of 8,602
I want the musical experience! I don't like boring sounds
You already have an impressive stable of headphones and perfectly capable sources.

I haven't heard the Empyrean 2. But I used to own the original Empyrean. I would place the Caldera Open in between the LCD-5 and Empyrean. The LCD-5 is more technical, with greater air and micro-detail. Slightly mid-forward/centric. In that sense, the Caldera isn't dissimilar. But it is closer to the Empyrean with the musical, organic presentation with less of the clinical detail of the LCD-5. Caldera has the slightly more intimate, spherical staging compared to LCD-5.

Caldera is also responsive to tuning changes from source and cable changes. I haven't bothered with changing from the stock Caldera top/side perf lambskin. It was easier to plug in a different cable.

I'm jumped into the rabbit hole and have three different cables on order for the Caldera Open.

The wood and build quality / finish is superlative on the Caldera. The LCD-5, from the rod movement to the plastic cups feels almost inferior in comparison. I'm also not impressed with the REAN connectors on the the LCD-5 at that price point. Tells me compromises were made with cost v quality. YMMV.
 
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Nov 9, 2024 at 10:37 PM Post #8,254 of 8,602
You already have an impressive stable of headphones and perfectly capable sources.

I haven't heard the Empyrean 2. But I used to own the original Empyrean. I would place the Caldera Open in between the LCD-5 and Empyrean. The LCD-5 is more technical, with greater air and micro-detail. Slightly mid-forward/centric. In that sense, the Caldera isn't dissimilar. But it is closer to the Empyrean with the musical, organic presentation with less of the clinical detail of the LCD-5. Caldera has the slightly more intimate, spherical staging compared to LCD-5.

Caldera is also responsive to tuning changes from source and cable changes. I haven't bothered with changing from the stock Caldera top/side perf lambskin. It was easier to plug in a different cable.

I'm jumped into the rabbit hole and have three different cables on order for the Caldera Open.

The wood and build quality / finish is superlative on the Caldera. The LCD-5, from the rod movement to the plastic cups feels almost inferior in comparison. I'm also not impressed with the REAN connectors on the the LCD-5 at that price point. Tells me compromises were made with cost v quality. YMMV.
Thanks.

Can you recommend which pads I should get for the Caldera? The options tab looks confusing.
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Nov 9, 2024 at 10:48 PM Post #8,255 of 8,602
Guys, This headphone is far better than the Modhouse Tungsten, right? (I assume yes because of the price difference)

Also, Can I know which pads I should get for the Caldera Open back?
 
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Nov 9, 2024 at 10:59 PM Post #8,256 of 8,602
Thanks.

Can you recommend which pads I should get for the Caldera? The options tab looks confusing.
You weren't asking me, but I may be able to give a constructive answer. In my review of the Caldera Open (here on Head-Fi), I compared the sound of the 4 Caldera pads then available: stock (I believe that = "Caldera Lambskin [top and side perf]); suede; cowhide; and thick. You can also choose between the stock mesh vs mantle mesh.

Which way you go depends entirely on your sonic preferences. I am relatively treble averse, so I ordered my Caldera Open with the mantle mesh installed; it cuts down on treble peaks and somewhat reduced the energy in the upper mids/low treble, which I need. As for pads, the stock pad really is outstanding. Many people prefer that. I ended up preferring the lambskin thicks because they put a little more distance between the driver and my ears, which gave the sound a bit more atmosphere and wonderful middle-distance vibe.

If you're not especially treble averse, then you should probably stick with the stock mesh & stock pads, and maybe order the perforated suedes and lambskin thicks as change-of-pace pads.

Punchline: the Caldera Open is never boring. It can't be. But its core resolving, musical sound can be tuned rather effectively via mesh & pads.
 
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Nov 9, 2024 at 11:20 PM Post #8,257 of 8,602
This headphone is far better than the Modhouse Tungsten, right? (I assume yes because of the price difference)
I don't think that's a useful way to think about it. They are different headphones. Some folks will prefer one over the other. Some will like both equally. Others won't like either. None of that has anything to do with their price.
 
Nov 10, 2024 at 2:54 AM Post #8,259 of 8,602
Thanks.

Can you recommend which pads I should get for the Caldera? The options tab looks confusing.SC.png

Guys, This headphone is far better than the Modhouse Tungsten, right? (I assume yes because of the price difference)

Also, Can I know which pads I should get for the Caldera Open back?

Asking 'which pads should I get' is like asking what seasoning to put on your dish. It is nearly impossible to tell without knowing your taste and gear. It depends on what sound you like and on the synergy with your audio chain. (Similar to @Pharmaboy I also reviewed both the Caldera open and closed here on Head-Fi, if you want more details on the pads, look up those reviews.)
In a nutshell, pick the suede if you are after a sound with slightly softer edges (Caldera is quite dynamic). I personally would skip the thin cowhide, to me it decreases soundstage depth too much. I haven't actually tried the new ultra-perforated pads, but you can look up some impressions on them if you use the thread search function. The thick pads are my choice, and the most popular secondary pad choice after the stock lambskin. The thick pads increase soundstage, ever so slightly emphasise bass and tame upper-mid/lower treble forwardness. I would highly recommend the thick pads as a secondary pad option. That said, not everyone likes them, pad preference varies quite a bit, depending on taste/music genres one listens to and tonality of your gear.

I agree with @ttys0, saying things like 'this headphone is much better than that headphone because it cost more' just shows lack of experience in this hobby. Makes me think that you acquired your already decent collection of gear in a relatively short time. Taste and choice of headphones is a lot more complex subject than dropping such overly generalising assumptions. Taste overrides price, and synergy is king. I know of people who love their HD600 on OTL more than any 4K-6K planars on SS. Taste is subjective. Price can also be misleading. The same headphones you might find disappointing on one gear and fall in love with them on another gear.

That said, my take on the Tungsten versus Caldera is that the Caldera is a generally better headphone. Both are great, pleasant and I can enjoy both of them, but to me the Caldera edges out the Tungsten. Tunsgten is extremely hard to drive, to get the most out of it you will have to choose your amp carefully. In general both headphones sound very natural with good texture. Tungsten is a little more spacious and smoother in general. Caldera is slightly less spacious, but more dynamic and quicker with excellent 3D staging. Caldera is more energetic, even more 'organic'. Tungsten is a little less focused, more easy-going with bigger images. Both headphones are very good at everything, but IMO Caldera is better in dynamics, micro-details and bass focus/impact. To me Tungsten is very good, while Caldera is exceptional.
Price to performance ratio might be a little better on the Tungsten, but you also have to wait 6-8 months to receive your order. Build is fine on Tungsten, but vastly superior on ZMFs.
 
Nov 10, 2024 at 11:11 PM Post #8,260 of 8,602
If you tend to always wonder “what more can I get out of my system”? Then get the Yggy GS2 and be done. But I would say the Gungnir MB gets you so far that there is limited gains to be had… at least to my ears.
I'm thinking about buying the Yggy GS2 but I'm a bit confused
No volume control. Could I use the iFi iCAN Pro Signature for volume control?
Gustard R26 is another option for me, but I'd spend a bit more, if it's worth
Thank you
 
Nov 10, 2024 at 11:28 PM Post #8,261 of 8,602
I'm thinking about buying the Yggy GS2 but I'm a bit confused
No volume control. Could I use the iFi iCAN Pro Signature for volume control?
Gustard R26 is another option for me, but I'd spend a bit more, if it's worth
Thank you
Yes, the Ifi has a volume control. Please see the article below.

https://majorhifi.com/ifi-pro-ican-signature/
 
Nov 13, 2024 at 5:12 PM Post #8,262 of 8,602
Please report back. My experience with R2R was a disappointment with my OTC amp and ZMFs. Scared to try again with a different model.
Just to close the loop on this - I got rid of my Qutest and now have the Holo Spring 3 KTE. As others have said, don't assume that R2R = sleepy/dull. This DAC has been a bit of a game changer - significantly more detailed and dynamic than the Qutest. My VC slams very hard now and sense of veil or timbral weirdness (which cropped up from time to time) is long gone. Will share further thoughts in the VC thread given this isn't CO-related.
 
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Nov 13, 2024 at 5:19 PM Post #8,263 of 8,602
Just to close the loop on this - I got rid of my Qutest and now have the Holo May Spring 3 KTE. As others have said, don't assume that R2R = sleepy/dull. This DAC has been a bit of a game changer - significantly more detailed and dynamic than the Qutest. My VC slams very hard now and sense of veil or timbral weirdness (which cropped up from time to time) is long gone. Will share further thoughts in the VC thread given this isn't CO-related.
Holo does not play. :raised_hands: There are many conflicting reviews/reports on Holo DACs, but to anyone not acquainted I would suggest an audition and trusting your own ears. :) And yes, Holo's timbral "organic" realism synergizes very well with the ZMF house sound. :darthsmile:
 
Nov 13, 2024 at 5:43 PM Post #8,264 of 8,602
Holo does not play. :raised_hands: There are many conflicting reviews/reports on Holo DACs, but to anyone not acquainted I would suggest an audition and trusting your own ears. :) And yes, Holo's timbral "organic" realism synergizes very well with the ZMF house sound. :darthsmile:
I'm a big Holo Audio fan. I've had the Spring 3 KTE for almost 3 years now and nothing that has come out (within what I'm willing to spend) has made me think about selling it and getting the latest and greatest like the Laiv Harmony.
 

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