[AcousticMatt]

There are many options... just a few starting points...

Transformer coupled:
1. Auris Nirvana -- I have it. it's awesome. Very powerful, linear, clean. can comfortably upgrade your future DAC and it will still match well. Note new model rumored shortly with updated design (though current wood design seems much prettier to most head-fiers who follow)
2. Traufomatic Head 2 -- several head-fiers I know report liking it a lot.
(few models) -- great repuation, but it's customer built in UK so you'll need some real patiance.

OTL:
At 300 ohm, these fit ZMF very well, and in fact probably the more popular choice by most ZMF owners. They synergize really well.
(3) Feliks Euforia (regular or Anniversary Edition) -- currently popluar among ZMF owners

Various DIY builders:
These manufacture various models to order. All have excellent reputation for quality and sound, but require heavy doses of patience to wait for your build:
(4) Eddie Current
(5) UltraSonic Studios
(6) Donald North

I should also mention that ZMF seels Cayin tube amps, which are very popular. I personally find them a little too warm for my taste, but many ZMF owners love them.

Last, an honorable mention for the unobtainium, the one you would get if money were no object... that for me would easily be the Ampandsound Red October - I demo-ed it at CanJam NYC and it is (by far) the best I've ever heard a ZMF headphone. It's base price is way out of budget, and you'd want to upgrade those 300B that in itself are super expensive... but since we need to dream sometime...

Happy hunting!

So helpful, thank you! Going to SoCal CanJam in a couple weeks, so we'll see what I can try there!

 

[goldwerger]

So helpful, thank you! Going to SoCal CanJam in a couple weeks, so we'll see what I can try there!

I'll be missing this SoCal, but lots of options. I definitely recommend starting at the ZMF room, as Zach will probably have a bunch of amps to test with his headphones (at CanJam Chicago he had a really great selection of amps).

Enjoy!

 

[AcousticMatt]

I'll be missing this SoCal, but lots of options. I definitely recommend starting at the ZMF room, as Zach will probably have a bunch of amps to test with his headphones (at CanJam Chicago he had a really great selection of amps).

Enjoy!

That was my plan, to go there first! Thanks again.

 

[zach915m]

There are many options... just a few starting points...

Transformer coupled:
1. Auris Nirvana -- I have it. it's awesome. Very powerful, linear, clean. can comfortably upgrade your future DAC and it will still match well. Note new model rumored shortly with updated design (though current wood design seems much prettier to most head-fiers who follow)
2. Traufomatic Head 2 -- several head-fiers I know report liking it a lot.
(few models) -- great repuation, but it's customer built in UK so you'll need some real patiance.

OTL:
At 300 ohm, these fit ZMF very well, and in fact probably the more popular choice by most ZMF owners. They synergize really well.
(3) Feliks Euforia (regular or Anniversary Edition) -- currently popluar among ZMF owners

Various DIY builders:
These manufacture various models to order. All have excellent reputation for quality and sound, but require heavy doses of patience to wait for your build:
(4) Eddie Current
(5) UltraSonic Studios
(6) Donald North

I should also mention that ZMF seels Cayin tube amps, which are very popular. I personally find them a little too warm for my taste, but many ZMF owners love them.

Last, an honorable mention for the unobtainium, the one you would get if money were no object... that for me would easily be the Ampandsound Red October - I demo-ed it at CanJam NYC and it is (by far) the best I've ever heard a ZMF headphone. It's base price is way out of budget, and you'd want to upgrade those 300B that in itself are super expensive... but since we need to dream sometime...

Happy hunting!

That was my plan, to go there first! Thanks again.

We will have a Feliks Envy at CanJam, I haven't heard it yet but it'll be an exciting amp to demo and have. We also will have @L0rdGwyn KT88/EL34 creation that is an early prototype that we are getting feedback on for a potential "who knows what could happen" type situation. Aside from that we also will have the full Gamut of Cayin amps.

I wish I had room to bring my DNA/Eddie Current and other stuff but you can only fit so many amps in your luggage! =/

 

[goldwerger]

We will have a Feliks Envy at CanJam, I haven't heard it yet but it'll be an exciting amp to demo and have. We also will have @L0rdGwyn KT88/EL34 creation that is an early prototype that we are getting feedback on for a potential "who knows what could happen" type situation. Aside from that we also will have the full Gamut of Cayin amps.

I wish I had room to bring my DNA/Eddie Current and other stuff but you can only fit so many amps in your luggage! =/

You need a U-Haul!!!

Yea @L0rdGwyn told me about this prototype coming, and I was really eager to test it (as you probably know) but I just can't leave NYC that weekend... I'll have to wait for your report... if it's anything like the AirMid in sound profile, you can put my name down...

 

[AcousticMatt]

We will have a Feliks Envy at CanJam, I haven't heard it yet but it'll be an exciting amp to demo and have. We also will have @L0rdGwyn KT88/EL34 creation that is an early prototype that we are getting feedback on for a potential "who knows what could happen" type situation. Aside from that we also will have the full Gamut of Cayin amps.

I wish I had room to bring my DNA/Eddie Current and other stuff but you can only fit so many amps in your luggage! =/

That's great. I've actually heard the Envy before, but only with the Susvara. It sounded really good, but it's not my top amp for them. Looking forward to hearing your headphones on that amp though.

 

[DenverW]

Hmm... that's tough to answer. I was wanting to upgrade my dac (I've got a Chord Qutest and an iFi Pro iDSD Signature) and also get a tube amp, but I could live with not upgrading my dac if I got a more expensive tube amp. So... let's say $8000 or less?

At that price point you've got a ton of options. There are some very nice ampandsound amps such as the ovation or mogwai se that would leave enough money for a fantastic dac such as a holo spring 3 kte or the like.

 

[Smallpie]

I wish I had room to bring my DNA/Eddie Current and other stuff but you can only fit so many amps in your luggage! =/

DNA is very close by and maybe could bring an amp down to use for the weekend? Couldn’t hurt to ask if you thought that was a good idea.

 

[zach915m]

At that price point you've got a ton of options. There are some very nice ampandsound amps such as the ovation or mogwai se that would leave enough money for a fantastic dac such as a holo spring 3 kte or the like.

Something like the @ampsandsound Kenzie Ovation, Rockwell or Bigger Ben all would be amazing options and leave money for an amazing DAC. Kenzie sounds and timbre are some of the best to my ears, I haven't heard the Rockwell yet.

Edit: I forgot we will have a ZOTL 3 at our booth too.

 

[AcousticMatt]

Something like the @ampsandsound Kenzie Ovation, Rockwell or Bigger Ben all would be amazing options and leave money for an amazing DAC. Kenzie sounds and timbre are some of the best to my ears, I haven't heard the Rockwell yet.

Something like the @ampsandsound Kenzie Ovation, Rockwell or Bigger Ben all would be amazing options and leave money for an amazing DAC. Kenzie sounds and timbre are some of the best to my ears, I haven't heard the Rockwell yet.

Edit: I forgot we will have a ZOTL 3 at our booth too.

Ok, thanks! (@DenverW too). If I upgrade my dac, it'd probably be the Holo May (although I want to check out the Sonnet Pasithea). I guess I'll hear them at CanJam, but how do the Cayin amps compare to these others that you mentioned?

 

[goldwerger]

Ok, thanks! (@DenverW too). If I upgrade my dac, it'd probably be the Holo May (although I want to check out the Sonnet Pasithea). I guess I'll hear them at CanJam, but how do the Cayin amps compare to these others that you mentioned?

At this price point, try to test the Bricasti M3 (I have it and love it). HeadAmp will likely have it in their booth..

 

[AcousticMatt]

At this price point, try to test the Bricasti M3 (I have it and love it). HeadAmp will likely have it in their booth..

Will do!

 

[zach915m]

Ok, thanks! (@DenverW too). If I upgrade my dac, it'd probably be the Holo May (although I want to check out the Sonnet Pasithea). I guess I'll hear them at CanJam, but how do the Cayin amps compare to these others that you mentioned?

I'll bring the Pasithea too.

The Cayin amps are very nice, they each have core strengths that are different and they all have merit regardless of price point. I'm actually really liking the 3a even though it's the cheapest for our headphones right now.

Haven't tried the expensive 300b tubes yet on the 300 MK II. The 300b amps all have a unique/explosive sound.

 

[Disco3]

Got my first pair of ZMF's last friday (Verite Closed) and I am absolutely in love. The overall tuning, the look, the comfort is all just perfect. I'd really like to try a tube amp with them, but also want to try Atriums. It's going to take me a while to save up, but I think I'll go for the Atriums first. Maybe even go after a pair from a hot cup drop next year.

To me ZMF is head and shoulders above any other company. I mean, superior sound, build, comfort, impeccable customer service, warranty aside, is there any other headphones on the market that even come close to these beautiful works of art?

 

[Spee2k]

@zach915m Hi Zach. I placed an order for a B-Stock Salire stand and a wooden box on Monday ... Could you possibly give me a timeline of when it might ship please?