ZMF November 2024 // Schedule - Announcements and MEGATHREAD!

[vsrrr]

"hey, I didn't know that cowbell hit was there in that Porcupine Tree song I know and love."

 

[WindSwell]

Congrats! You are in for a treat. And as someone who loves the AO (I bought two - which I never do for headphones - I mean I did sell something only to buy again but nothing except the AO is something I had two of simultaneously), and watched all the reviews - I can somehow answer from my opinion within the ZMF space about technicalities. In my view, that technicality some reviewers talk about are only how "loud" smaller detail of recordings are. A good example can be made with a comparison with the Caldera. I have a fantastic Caldera and when I switch to that, I do hear "more" in the music but which one do I long for to listen? The Atrium for me, sir. To that point of timbre and tone, absolutely! The point of contention you raised about reviews out there, is more like "how many of things" vs. "how good of something" (a little more nuanced than quality vs. quantity). Also, soundstage! I think the AO has the most unique staging of any headphone imo. (including the Caldera, HD800, Abyss stuff, OG HE-6 and so forth). So, yes, I feel like the technicality they are talking about are "hey, I didn't know that cowbell hit was there in that Porcupine Tree song I know and love."

Hope I have piqued your interest even more to listen to the AO now. That said, hey man - how can you resist that? I just get it out of the box and on my head - and off to the races. I will say though, my first AO sounds noticeably mature than the new one I got less than a month ago. And yes, those drivers DO break in, in the nicest of way! But I would just listen to it through the journey. That said, your approach is likely better since it will get you there sooner if you play something overnight.

Again, congrats on the AO. It's fantastic!

I agree with your assessment of reviewer's methodology and I would do the same if I were in their place. And its been quite telling that so many of them admitted to buying the Atriums or that when they just want to sit back and enjoy music they reach for a ZMF. As a picky consumer that has made poor purchase decisions in that past based off of mainstream print publications (do they even exist anymore?) I'm zero'ed in on certain aspects of sound as being, at least for me, of greater value than others. Given my love of tone and timbre, I'm posting in the right thread.

You are definitely not helping my internal resolve, haha. Though a mild headache and fullness of the ears certainly are. They will pass and anticipation is part of the fun. 100 hrs will, from what I gather around the forum, clear up any harshness. And I've always been sensitive to listener fatigue. After that, I think I will enjoy what is gradually revealed along the way in 24 hr increments.

Will also try to resist the urge to frantically listen to only a minute of a song before skipping to the next and just enjoy a full album start to finish. This will be much harder than the 100 hr embargo knowing myself. People say the AO is fantastic for live recordings, so I will start there. First played will either be Isaac Hayes: Live at The Sahara Tahoe, Dire Straits: Live at the BBC, or perhaps Herbie Hancock: Flood.

Not too familiar with Porcupine Tree but, am certainly aware of the their high regard in the audiophile world. And yes, 'more cowbell' please on any and all of their songs.

 

[JackarlTwo]

***As a side note, as someone who has watched every review that exists on the Atrium, I have a bone to pick with some youtube reviewers who say that 'it lacks in technicalities.' Clearly, I haven't burned these in and listened with a proper setup to vouch for resolution, separation, holography, etc but, how is timbre not considered a technicality; let alone the most important technicality that should be strived for? Over the years, just for fun and with no intent of making a purchase, I've listened to quite a few very expensive 2 channel setups at dealerships and walked away unimpressed despite their touted 'excellent technicalities'. Technically Impressive? Sure, but they just didn't sound 'right.' Sometimes, after a dealership visit, I even found my factory car speakers a more enjoyable listen. Fresh out the box, the AO sounds absurdly 'right.' [rant over]

One of the first things I noticed was how 'technically impressive' they were. Not what I expected from reading reviews. The AO while not detail monsters like some high-end planars can be, they are technically capable headphones and what you'd expect from a $2.5k can. Still pretty dang detailed while having that warmer sound. Especially when it comes to instrument separation they're really quite remarkable. Not to mention the tone and timbre which is to die for. The timbre truly is one of the best in the hobby that I've heard so far.

 

[dbull12]

Q: Nitsch DSHA-3FN + ZMF Auteur Classic (LTD B&W Ebony, 11/2024)?



A:

Congrats on the 3FN! Would be interested in knowing how you feel about 3FN vs 433 with your ZMFs if you get around to the comparison

 

[s2kphile]

Congrats on the 3FN! Would be interested in knowing how you feel about 3FN vs 433 with your ZMFs if you get around to the comparison

Yes, let us know how they compare. I had 433 but sold it because it wasn't do it for me especially when connect via RCA input and using 6.3 output. XLR In/Out had the best sound to my ears but ultimately sold it to keep the Headtrip II & V281 LE.

 

[Renexx]

A comparison to V281 for use case with ZMF would be interesting. I'm absolutely amazed by V281.
Seems like the Nitsch DSHA-3FN is not very powerful. There is no power output data shown.

 

[s2kphile]

A comparison to V281 for use case with ZMF would be interesting. I'm absolutely amazed by V281.
Seems like the Nitsch is not very powerful. There is no power output data shown.

I can assure you the Nitsch Pietus Maximus can power all ZMFs very well even the Caldera. And from Zach's own mouth puts the DSHA-3FN as the top SS amp he's heard.

Speaking of getting ZMF goodies. This items showed up today.

Mega Salire is MEGA

 

[jonathan c]

A comparison to V281 for use case with ZMF would be interesting. I'm absolutely amazed by V281.
**Seems like the Nitsch is not very powerful.** There is no power output data shown.

**On what do you base this assessment?** Nitsch DSHA-3FN drives ZMF Caldera Closed (60 ohms, 94 dB/mw) extremely well, to my great musical satisfaction. See post #2,588 above, for starters. As for the dynamic-driver ZMFs: with Nitsch as the h/p/a, "hearing is believing!" .

 

[jsabini1]

Seems like the Nitsch is not very powerful. There is no power output data shown.

The DSHA-3FN has more than sufficient power for any dynamic driver headphone, and many planars as well. It won't drive a Susvara or Tungsten like a V281 will, but those are very difficult to drive examples.

 

[Renexx]

Thanks for all the replies. Surely I meant the limited DSHA-3FN. I read lots of feedback about the amp but couldn't really understand what makes it so special in synergy to ZMF dynamics compared to V281.
Aside from the clean power supply and short signal path, what makes it special? The 5ohms output Impedance?

What will it do better than V281? Im afraid Nitsch will sound polite compared to V281. I love a robust sound.

 

[ThanatosVI]

I can assure you the Nitsch Pietus Maximus can power all ZMFs very well even the Caldera. And from Zach's own mouth puts the DSHA-3FN as the top SS amp he's heard.

Speaking of getting ZMF goodies. This items showed up today.

Mega Salire is MEGA

I count 6 ZMFs, any doubles or 6 different models?
Which is next on your radar?

Here is my November loot:

I need a Walnut Mega Salire!

 

[Rollnrock]

but, how is timbre not considered a technicality; let alone the most important technicality that should be strived for?

Not to mention the tone and timbre which is to die for. The timbre truly is one of the best in the hobby that I've heard so far.

Very good point and fully agree with this!

Timbre is one of the most important aspects to me and one of the main reasons I love my ZMFs. It's not that other aspects such as dynamics, separation, image, etc are not important, but been able to listen to guitars, violins, pianos (or voices) so similar to reality is something that has captivated me

 

[michael2v]

For that reason I changed my Hifi furniture.
Having No space for additional amplifiers makes it easier to convince yourself not to buy any

Where there’s a will, there’s a way, momma always used to say.

 

[audionooby]

When is the next drop of stabilized resin salires and headphones?

 

[AnyDave]

Hey everybody, this probably could be posted in multiple threads, but I'm going to put it here.

I know that there are some very understandable concerns right now about the looming tariff situation and shipments to Canada. We share your concern about the tariffs and hope that they are short-lived.

While things are sort of preliminary, we have looked into the situation to the best of our ability. As of now, it does not appear that our headphones included in the tariffs. There is a comprehensive list on www.canada.ca of the harmonized codes affected by import tariffs into Canada. The harmonized code for headphones (HMS 8518.3) is not currently listed amongst the tariffed products, so it is our hope that our customers will not be affected. Of course, this is an ever-evolving situation, so we can't say for certain if that will change tomorrow, next week, or next month.

We will continue to look into the situation and will let you know if we are aware of any changes as the situation progresses.