[MRHiFiReviews]

Got my ZMF Pendant with custom wood! Looks like it's following all the recent designs as well:

Question: Is the smaller, bottom right tube (12AX7) supposed to light up? Mine does not but it does get hot to the touch at least. Sound seems fine so I guess the tube is working ok?

congrats it’s a killer amp!

 

[Virion]

Beautiful amp! And an awesome sounding and versatile one, at that. I'm sure you'll enjoy it tremendously.

I can confirm that my input 12AX7 tube doesn't glow, either. The outputs and the rectifier have a beautiful, warm orange glow, though. Some tubes just don't glow altogether, some do, but my experience is that 12AX/T/U7 series tubes tend to not glow much in most circuits. Totally normal.

Some NOS 12a*7 tubes do glow though
Edit: Sorry about the crappy picture. Phone is getting old.

 

[itsikhefez]

I'm selling off some of my EL84 stash, all NOS and attractive prices (IMHO)
If you were looking to try tube rolling in your Pendant, this may be a good opportunity.
(hoping this does not violate forum rules)

Post is here:
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/nos-el84-6bq5-pairs-telefunken-amperex-mullard-matsushita.948601/

 

[KPzypher]

FINALLY!!!! Finally found a headphone that is free of noise when used with the pendant.

Hifiman HE6SEV2!!!!!! Dead quiet from both low and high Z.

And they pair exceptionally well to boot.

I can finally use the Pendant again. Yay! It was barely touched the last several months, due to noise/low level hum.

 

[nwavesailor]

I too have unused NOS and some used EL84 and need to follow your lead. I'm good ay buying but never get around to selling tubes
I have settled (for now!) on Tungsrams EL84 in my Pendant. I am fortunate to have found 4 NIB / NOS from the early 70's

 

[itsikhefez]

@KPzypher good for you! It would be a shame though that you would limit such an amp to a single pair of headphones.

I don't have the Pendant and have not heard one, but given that it is made by a reputable designer and specifically for headphones, I have to assume that unless its faulty it should not hum with common "audiophile" headphones.

Did you try resolving the hum somehow? A few options could be:
1) Trying lower gain input tube such as the 12AU7 or equivalents -- 5963, 12BH7A (need to ensure the heater rating has some overheard)
2) Ground loop with your source component -- if you short the inputs, do you still have hum?

 

[KPzypher]

@KPzypher good for you! It would be a shame though that you would limit such an amp to a single pair of headphones.

I don't have the Pendant and have not heard one, but given that it is made by a reputable designer and specifically for headphones, I have to assume that unless its faulty it should not hum with common "audiophile" headphones.

Did you try resolving the hum somehow? A few options could be:
1) Trying lower gain input tube such as the 12AU7 or equivalents -- 5963, 12BH7A (need to ensure the heater rating has some overheard)
2) Ground loop with your source component -- if you short the inputs, do you still have hum?

Trust me, I've tried everything under the sun. I even sent it back to Justin to get it tested, and he said they're working fine and under spec, so who knows. I'm just glad I could use it again.

 

[MRHiFiReviews]

@KPzypher good for you! It would be a shame though that you would limit such an amp to a single pair of headphones.

I don't have the Pendant and have not heard one, but given that it is made by a reputable designer and specifically for headphones, I have to assume that unless its faulty it should not hum with common "audiophile" headphones.

Did you try resolving the hum somehow? A few options could be:
1) Trying lower gain input tube such as the 12AU7 or equivalents -- 5963, 12BH7A (need to ensure the heater rating has some overheard)
2) Ground loop with your source component -- if you short the inputs, do you still have hum?

PM you now!

 

[MRHiFiReviews]

Would love to have you join us this Friday, December 4th at 7 pm PST for a laidback live stream discussing subjective audio impressions between these two awesome headphone amps!

 

[dematted]

I've seen a lot of effusive praise about this amp here (although I still wish there were more feedback), which makes me wonder, what exactly about this amp, in the humble opinion of those who own it, tends to fall short? As someone potentially interested in buying this down the line, I'm curious about what areas it is relatively weaker in, and what sonic shortcomings it may have. Thanks in advance for any responses!

 

[steve468]

Dematted: I'm not sure it's a matter of weaknesses, but more a matter of trade-offs of presentations. I would say that it's not as tubey as some amps. I recently got a Bottlehead Crack, and in comparison the Pendant has more slam, more details, more extension top and bottom, but it misses that softer sound and midrange focus that the Crack gives.

The pendant is also not quite as tight as the Schiit Ragnarok. The Rag is more lean, making it a slightly faster amp, while the Pendant's sound has more flesh on it's bones, which means it's ever so slightly slower.

But all 3 amps have a place in my listening (yes, even the Crack) depending on what I'm listening to and my mood.

 

[Wes S]

Hey folks. I am curious which tube type you use most with your Pendant, and why? 12au7 or 12ax7? I am stalking up on tubes before making the plunge for the Pendant, and don't have any 12ax7 in my inventory yet, but have all the "holy grail" 12au7's already, and I am curious if many use the 12au7 or if most use the 12ax7? Thanks for your time!

 

[johnnypaddock]

I find that 12au7 tubes work best for my needs, due to the lower gain and the resulting lower noise floor. If you're fully stocked in that department, I'd recommend starting with those. If you're driving something that needs extra power, you might find the benefits of the higher power input tube are worth it. I'm not saying you shouldn't explore a few, but I wouldn't spend big money in that area until you get some exposure to the amp. Just my two cents.

 

[Wes S]

I find that 12au7 tubes work best for my needs, due to the lower gain and the resulting lower noise floor. If you're fully stocked in that department, I'd recommend starting with those. If you're driving something that needs extra power, you might find the benefits of the higher power input tube are worth it. I'm not saying you shouldn't explore a few, but I wouldn't spend big money in that area until you get some exposure to the amp. Just my two cents.

Awesome! Thanks for the info, and that is exactly what I was thinking, and appreciate the confirmation.

 

[Baldeagle58]

Hey folks. I am curious which tube type you use most with your Pendant, and why? 12au7 or 12ax7? I am stalking up on tubes before making the plunge for the Pendant, and don't have any 12ax7 in my inventory yet, but have all the "holy grail" 12au7's already, and I am curious if many use the 12au7 or if most use the 12ax7? Thanks for your time!

My unit has the low grade hum that you will find discussed in this thread so I went with a Sylvania 5751 based on it being the tube that was the quietest. In fact that hum is not really an issue at all with that tube and I am just listening to the music now.