ZMF Verite Closed-New Closed Back ZMF Flagship.

[BJPromo]

See if you can sell that silver cable that it comes with to fund a temporary amplifier that will do the job. Something from topping or Schiit.

An Asgard or Midgard would fit the bill for universal use, or a Valhalla if you're all in on high impedance cans. All three units can be had from $220-$300 new, even less on the classifieds.

Thanks for the suggestion, I live on a desert island (literally) so not so easy to sell the cable, but I'll just keep the silver to one side for a later time when I can get a more versatile amp. I'm saving up for a decent tube amp so can get by with a 6.35mm to 3.5mm converter and use the VC with my Mojo 2 till then, recognising that this is not optimum.

I must respectfully disagree based on my experience. I own a Sony WM1A and regularly use my three ZMF 300 Ohm dynamic-driver headphones out of it with great success.

The only two caveats: 1. They are powered by the 4.4 mm balanced output, and 2. I use the Mr. Walkman firmware with the gain boosted.

I do need to use the volume at 85-100 of 120, but the sound is excellent to my ears. It’s not on par with my dedicated amps, but not far enough behind that I miss them when working at my desk.

I think this is somewhat dependent on listening levels and musical preferences. In my experience, my FIIO M11 Pro will drive my VCs from the balanced out fine at moderate listening with music that isn’t bass heavy.

I appreciate the other perspectives. Mine is the Sony ZX-707, and I don't think we have the Mr Walkman firmware for that yet. I can test out out with the 3.5mm output easily enough, but to try the balanced output I would need to buy an 4-pin XLR to 4.4mm adapter. I might try this, but then if piling up adapters in this way I might as well just buy a new cable or put it towards an amp with more outputs.

Thank you all for replying though, very helpful indeed. Am beyond excited to join the VC owners' club, I've been lurking in this thread for years.

 

[grant0317]

The VC has been near the top of my wishlist for years, and I'm pretty close to taking the leap with a second-hand B-stock pair, which is all I can afford right now. However, none of the cables that come with this particular set (6.35mm and 4-pin XLR balanced) fit my very limited set of devices (I only have 3.5mm and 4.4mm outputs). Since this purchase means blowing the budget I'd planned to use for a new amp this year, I'm going to have to get by with some termination adapters for the time being, rather than buying a new cable or an amp with more outputs.

Two cable/adapter questions, then:

(1) has anyone used adapters at the headphone end, that would allow me to use my copper Arctic Magnus (fitted with a mono 3.5mm for each the L and R, used with my Meze Liric and Focal Stellia) with the mini-XLR input on the VC? In other words a female mono 3.5mm to male mini-XLR? I can only find very cheap looking things on aliexpress, which I'd prefer to avoid. There are plenty of (expensive) cable extensions that would do it, but aside from my limited budget, I don't want to interfere too much with the Magnus with new cables, at least while I get used to the sound. Have searched through loads of threads here, but it's proving really hard to pinpoint those search terms...

(2) If you were in my shoes, would you bother spending money on an adapter to use the ZMF silver balanced cable that will come with the headphones (4-pin XLR) with the 4.4mm balanced output of a Sony DAP (uncapped)? The cable seems pretty nice so it'd be a pity not to use it, but the 300 ohms impedance on the VC makes me think that the DAP will not power it well, in which case what's the point?

Sorry for long and dull questions -- will save my zingers for when I at last hold these precious headphones in my hands

Welcome to the club. If you need some cheap cables, you should buy openheart cables from aliexpress for like $30 bucks. They've got pretty solid quality despite cheap prices. Get the mini-xlr to 4.4 (you can always get a 4.4 to 6.35mm or xlr adapter later if you need one) cable, it may be labeled audeze as they also use mini xlr. As for tube amp pairings with the vc, depending on your budget I'd probably recommend the xduoo ta20+ for $500 on the budget side, feliks echo/cayin ha1a/woo audio wa6 are all around the $1000 mark, and next step up would be the cayin ha-3a or woo audio wa2.

 

[BJPromo]

Welcome to the club. If you need some cheap cables, you should buy openheart cables from aliexpress for like $30 bucks. They've got pretty solid quality despite cheap prices. Get the mini-xlr to 4.4 (you can always get a 4.4 to 6.35mm or xlr adapter later if you need one) cable, it may be labeled audeze as they also use mini xlr. As for tube amp pairings with the vc, depending on your budget I'd probably recommend the xduoo ta20+ for $500 on the budget side, feliks echo/cayin ha1a/woo audio wa6 are all around the $1000 mark, and next step up would be the cayin ha-3a or woo audio wa2.

Thanks so much for this. I'm not averse to spending a bit more on the right cable -- am thinking about getting the ZMF Pro Cable 2024 and/or maybe a ZMF adapter for the silver ZMF cable that comes with the headphones (if I can figure out exactly which one it is so that I don't change their sound with the adapter).

For the tube amp I am looking at the WA6 and working up eventually to the HA-6A.

More immediately though I need something moderately portable, preferably without built-in DAC, as I want to be able to use both at my desk but also at various places around my house/office. Around the $500 mark I am looking so far at Linsoul KAEI TAP-1 or something by Ray Samuels (if I can figure out how on earth to use his 'RSA' balanced outputs), or -- if I can really stump up some cash -- a Cayin C9. Would love any recommending pairings for the VC along these lines, though DAC-free portable amps seem hard to come by these days...

 

[AnyDave]

Thanks so much for this. I'm not averse to spending a bit more on the right cable -- am thinking about getting the ZMF Pro Cable 2024 and/or maybe a ZMF adapter for the silver ZMF cable that comes with the headphones (if I can figure out exactly which one it is so that I don't change their sound with the adapter).

For the tube amp I am looking at the WA6 and working up eventually to the HA-6A.

More immediately though I need something moderately portable, preferably without built-in DAC, as I want to be able to use both at my desk but also at various places around my house/office. Around the $500 mark I am looking so far at Linsoul KAEI TAP-1 or something by Ray Samuels (if I can figure out how on earth to use his 'RSA' balanced outputs), or -- if I can really stump up some cash -- a Cayin C9. Would love any recommending pairings for the VC along these lines, though DAC-free portable amps seem hard to come by these days...

I have a first gen WA6 and an HA-6A. Both are really nice amps and work well with the Verite.

 

[Barnstormer13]

Welcome to the club. If you need some cheap cables, you should buy openheart cables from aliexpress for like $30 bucks. They've got pretty solid quality despite cheap prices. Get the mini-xlr to 4.4 (you can always get a 4.4 to 6.35mm or xlr adapter later if you need one) cable, it may be labeled audeze as they also use mini xlr. As for tube amp pairings with the vc, depending on your budget I'd probably recommend the xduoo ta20+ for $500 on the budget side, feliks echo/cayin ha1a/woo audio wa6 are all around the $1000 mark, and next step up would be the cayin ha-3a or woo audio wa2.

Great amp advice. I’d add the Bottlehead Crack series and if there’s a desire to spend a lot on an amp, the VC is good enough to justify a pretty darn nice amp. If you are thinking solid state amp is worth considering, I can strongly recommend the Schiit Mjolnir 3.

 

[BJPromo]

Great amp advice. I’d add the Bottlehead Crack series and if there’s a desire to spend a lot on an amp, the VC is good enough to justify a pretty darn nice amp. If you are thinking solid state amp is worth considering, I can strongly recommend the Schiit Mjolnir 3.

Thanks very much, will add those to the list.

 

[PinkyPowers]

Thanks so much for this. I'm not averse to spending a bit more on the right cable -- am thinking about getting the ZMF Pro Cable 2024 and/or maybe a ZMF adapter for the silver ZMF cable that comes with the headphones (if I can figure out exactly which one it is so that I don't change their sound with the adapter).

For the tube amp I am looking at the WA6 and working up eventually to the HA-6A.

More immediately though I need something moderately portable, preferably without built-in DAC, as I want to be able to use both at my desk but also at various places around my house/office. Around the $500 mark I am looking so far at Linsoul KAEI TAP-1 or something by Ray Samuels (if I can figure out how on earth to use his 'RSA' balanced outputs), or -- if I can really stump up some cash -- a Cayin C9. Would love any recommending pairings for the VC along these lines, though DAC-free portable amps seem hard to come by these days...

I've been using the ZMF Pro Cable (copper) for my work listening, and love it. Very ergonomic, and sounds great with VC.

 

[BJPromo]

I've been using the ZMF Pro Cable (copper) for my work listening, and love it. Very ergonomic, and sounds great with VC.

Nice set up! Thanks, if they'll ship it with reasonable shipping costs then I'll pick one up.

 

[BJPromo]

Well, the shipping was a third of the cost of the cable itself, so I've gone for an Arctic Cables Talos V2 instead... I think I've seen it mentioned in this thread, but anyway you can't go wrong with Roy in my experience.

 

[PinkyPowers]

Well, the shipping was a third of the cost of the cable itself, so I've gone for an Arctic Cables Talos V2 instead... I think I've seen it mentioned in this thread, but anyway you can't go wrong with Roy in my experience.

Makes sense. Don't fret it. There are plenty of good cables out there!

 

[BJPromo]

Makes sense. Don't fret it. There are plenty of good cables out there!

Thanks, the only thing I'm fretting now is my choice of 3.5mm over balanced 4.4mm... Have read some reviews suggesting that portable amps (even my Cayin C9) might top out with the VC. Other comments in this thread suggest otherwise and I'm more inclined to believe these as coming from experience rather than specs, but still it might have been smarter to get the balanced cables for extra power. Well, fingers (and wires) crossed

 

[dfiled]

Apologies for asking something that I'm sure has been asked many times before, but I just don't have the time to scroll this 843-page thread.

If you could get any tube amp for the VC, what would you recommend? Holographic-ness and bass slam are the features I prioritize.

My budget is around 2K on the used market.

Thanks in advance!

 

[tutetibiimperes]

Apologies for asking something that I'm sure has been asked many times before, but I just don't have the time to scroll this 843-page thread.

If you could get any tube amp for the VC, what would you recommend? Holographic-ness and bass slam are the features I prioritize.

My budget is around 2K on the used market.

Thanks in advance!

With the right tubes the Folkvangr is amazingly holographic with it and has solid bass, but the VC isn’t a super bassy headphone in general.

Folkvangr with Western Electric 396A tubes and Be2 suede pads gives a lot of slam and a great soundstage for me.

I did hear it on the Sparkos Gemini tube hybrid as well as thought that was amazing in terms of bass and soundstage also.

 

[dfiled]

With the right tubes the Folkvangr is amazingly holographic with it and has solid bass, but the VC isn’t a super bassy headphone in general.

Folkvangr with Western Electric 396A tubes and Be2 suede pads gives a lot of slam and a great soundstage for me.

I did hear it on the Sparkos Gemini tube hybrid as well as thought that was amazing in terms of bass and soundstage also.

Just read a couple of posts where you said the Folkvangr fell short, specifically in terms of slam?

 

[erics75]

Apologies for asking something that I'm sure has been asked many times before, but I just don't have the time to scroll this 843-page thread.

If you could get any tube amp for the VC, what would you recommend? Holographic-ness and bass slam are the features I prioritize.

My budget is around 2K on the used market.

Thanks in advance!

There's a decent selection under 2k used. Anything Ampsandsound will be great. I've used the Pendant and Kenzie amps and love them. They can be a bit noisy at times but if you place it carefully in your space and keep routers, cell phones, and other rfi hotspots away they're pretty quiet. The discontinued Woo WA3 is amazing with all my ZMFs (not including planar Caldera). Hagerman Tuba is great as well. Feliks Echo II. LTA MZ2. Quicksilver amp. All will pair well with the VC and have excellent bass response depending on the tubes in use. The Valhalla 3 should be coming out soon, that will be an interesting amp for ZMF, assuming it's still an OTL and not going to go hybrid. Speaking of hybrids, the Mjolnir 2 with the right tubes is a jackhammer of an amp on the bass front. Not the most holographic sounding, but easily forgiven when that bass hits. Lots of options out there.