[senseitedj]

A) I truly enjoy listening with Verité Closed.
B) I truly enjoy VC sound via 'stock' pads.
C) I cannot envision 'pad rolling'.
D)

Ah! The venerable A20

Might as well call it the ZMF A20 amp since it goes so well with all of their HPs

 

[zach915m]

A lot of amazing B-Stock V Closed sets available from our yearly sale here: https://shop.zmfheadphones.com/collections/b-stock/products/verite-closed-november

This is the best price on a lot of these that we've ever been able to do.

 

[KrauserX91]

Vapour already spawned here

The same intoxicating sound I remember from my 2 years ago sold KOA, very addictive headphones for all kind of music genre. 660 grams unit but somehow it feels lighter than my 530ish grams Caldera/Atrium.

And here the fellas with me already

AO 04/2022
CO 06/2023
VC 11/2024
Next stop: 2025 CC or AC

 

[zach915m]

Vapour already spawned here

The same intoxicating sound I remember from my 2 years ago sold KOA, very addictive headphones for all kind of music genre. 660 grams unit but somehow it feels lighter than my 530ish grams Caldera/Atrium.




And here the fellas with me already




AO 04/2022
CO 06/2023
VC 11/2024
Next stop: 2025 CC or AC

I remember finishing that one well! It has such a cool texture to the wood visually and that resin filled cavity on the one cup is super cool.

 

[Squeaky Scav]

A lot of amazing B-Stock V Closed sets available from our yearly sale here: https://shop.zmfheadphones.com/collections/b-stock/products/verite-closed-november

This is the best price on a lot of these that we've ever been able to do.

So surprised this one isn't taken yet, such amazing wavy grain and orange tones for way less than A-stock Sapele.

 

[lifeson]

So I got these a month ago, the first really high end hp I have ever owned. Not in love.

Visceral and speedy impressive (some tracks incredible) but sounded a bit 'hollow' even after burn in and some upper mids hurt ears at times, like a woman you date for thrills but you'd never marry (reverse the sexes for female perspective obvs). Maybe some expectation bias too ? Was using Aeolus for ages and loved the sound from my setup, warm and engaging unlike the VC which invoked a weird mental state like I was listening to the headphones and not the music any more. Sadface.
Amp and dac upgrade (went from delta sigma to R2R and better tube amp) and....screw me. It all gelled. I'm blown away.

Conclusion - some 'late to the party' random hi-fi noob realizes sources actually can matter a great deal for higher end hps, or his ears got used to it, or synergy happened by luck, or whatever.

In love now, very happy. (But Aeolus is still going nowhere, love the sound of electric guitars on that thing).

 

[erics75]

So I got these a month ago, the first really high end hp I have ever owned. Not in love.

Visceral and speedy impressive (some tracks incredible) but sounded a bit 'hollow' even after burn in and some upper mids hurt ears at times, like a woman you date for thrills but you'd never marry (reverse the sexes for female perspective obvs). Maybe some expectation bias too ? Was using Aeolus for ages and loved the sound from my setup, warm and engaging unlike the VC which invoked a weird mental state like I was listening to the headphones and not the music any more. Sadface.
Amp and dac upgrade (went from delta sigma to R2R and better tube amp) and....screw me. It all gelled. I'm blown away.

Conclusion - some 'late to the party' random hi-fi noob realizes sources actually can matter a great deal for higher end hps, or his ears got used to it, or synergy happened by luck, or whatever.

In love now, very happy. (But Aeolus is still going nowhere, love the sound of electric guitars on that thing).

I walked that very same path a few years back. Was more of the "all dacs and amps should sound the same" type, with all solid state amps and delta sigma dacs. Finally got a Bifrost MB and Bottlehead crack, and eyes finally opened hahaha. I was hearing music that didn't sound like thin hallow metallic piercings anymore. Be warned though, it's a black hole of a rabbit hole, it will suck you in with no power to resist. Now i have a bunch of R2R dacs and way too many tubes amps, and I'm looking for more!

 

[lifeson]

I walked that very same path a few years back. Was more of the "all dacs and amps should sound the same" type, with all solid state amps and delta sigma dacs. Finally got a Bifrost MB and Bottlehead crack, and eyes finally opened hahaha. I was hearing music that didn't sound like thin hallow metallic piercings anymore. Be warned though, it's a black hole of a rabbit hole, it will suck you in with no power to resist. Now i have a bunch of R2R dacs and way too many tubes amps, and I'm looking for more!

I know what you mean, I can only dream what this kit sounds like off really high end sources now. I curse the day I ventured beyond my HD600 and Magni/Modi which sustained me for years.

 

[erics75]

I know what you mean, I can only dream what this kit sounds like off really high end sources now. I curse the day I ventured beyond my HD600 and Magni/Modi which sustained me for years.

Sometimes I feel that way too. Sitting with my HD650 or Atticus and the Bottlehead were so much fun. I was still new to tubes and more analog sound, and everything was magic. I savored those times, it lasted forever it seemed like. Now i feel i'm sprinting to the next high, strung out from the last. I know it's my own fault, but why take responsibility when you can blame others? But I do feel like I'm constantly chasing the dragon.

 

[Conan1974]

ZMF headphones for me has kind of turned into my Pokemon adventure.
However, I can't realistically afford to collect'em all.

With that said, I am salivating profusely with my jaw slightly ajar.
But I can't. I won't. I musn't! - consider more headphones that I won't use enough.
But, but... they're so PRETTY!
Keep them away from me!

There is just one way, to save Yourself. Choose the best pair of headphones and cancel Your internet subscription.
Good luck

 

[JackarlTwo]

So I got these a month ago, the first really high end hp I have ever owned. Not in love.

Visceral and speedy impressive (some tracks incredible) but sounded a bit 'hollow' even after burn in and some upper mids hurt ears at times, like a woman you date for thrills but you'd never marry (reverse the sexes for female perspective obvs). Maybe some expectation bias too ? Was using Aeolus for ages and loved the sound from my setup, warm and engaging unlike the VC which invoked a weird mental state like I was listening to the headphones and not the music any more. Sadface.
Amp and dac upgrade (went from delta sigma to R2R and better tube amp) and....screw me. It all gelled. I'm blown away.

Conclusion - some 'late to the party' random hi-fi noob realizes sources actually can matter a great deal for higher end hps, or his ears got used to it, or synergy happened by luck, or whatever.

In love now, very happy. (But Aeolus is still going nowhere, love the sound of electric guitars on that thing).

I was surprised how thick it sounded (in a good way) especially in the lower mid-range down to the bass. I can't recall anything feeling hollow or out of place, and that's using a delta sigma DAC too. Some electric guitars might have been a little bit withdrawn in the upper ranges (maybe that's the 3KHz recession, I don't know), but it didn't bother me at all. But we all have different ears and we're all more or less sensitive across the frequency spectrum. This was using the stock Auteur pads. Definitely one enjoyable closed back headphone that I'd love to own one day! Enjoy!

 

[AudioDuck]

So I got these a month ago, the first really high end hp I have ever owned. Not in love.

Visceral and speedy impressive (some tracks incredible) but sounded a bit 'hollow' even after burn in and some upper mids hurt ears at times, like a woman you date for thrills but you'd never marry (reverse the sexes for female perspective obvs). Maybe some expectation bias too ? Was using Aeolus for ages and loved the sound from my setup, warm and engaging unlike the VC which invoked a weird mental state like I was listening to the headphones and not the music any more. Sadface.
Amp and dac upgrade (went from delta sigma to R2R and better tube amp) and....screw me. It all gelled. I'm blown away.

Conclusion - some 'late to the party' random hi-fi noob realizes sources actually can matter a great deal for higher end hps, or his ears got used to it, or synergy happened by luck, or whatever.

In love now, very happy. (But Aeolus is still going nowhere, love the sound of electric guitars on that thing).

The short version of this formula:

R2R DAC + tube amp + ZMF dynamic-driver headphones = great sound/musical bliss

Obviously there is variability in each component area here, BUT: It’s pretty tried and true, and few if any have disputed it…

 

[PapaIV]

So I got these a month ago, the first really high end hp I have ever owned. Not in love.

Visceral and speedy impressive (some tracks incredible) but sounded a bit 'hollow' even after burn in and some upper mids hurt ears at times, like a woman you date for thrills but you'd never marry (reverse the sexes for female perspective obvs). Maybe some expectation bias too ? Was using Aeolus for ages and loved the sound from my setup, warm and engaging unlike the VC which invoked a weird mental state like I was listening to the headphones and not the music any more. Sadface.
Amp and dac upgrade (went from delta sigma to R2R and better tube amp) and....screw me. It all gelled. I'm blown away.

Conclusion - some 'late to the party' random hi-fi noob realizes sources actually can matter a great deal for higher end hps, or his ears got used to it, or synergy happened by luck, or whatever.

In love now, very happy. (But Aeolus is still going nowhere, love the sound of electric guitars on that thing).

My story is kind of similar. I got the VC a month ago and sure it had its wow moments but I just couldn’t see what the hype is about. That was using the RME as my DAC.

Well two days ago I got my Rockna Wavelight. It’s been amazing with all my headphones. But with the VC and my Cayin HA-3A amp oh my god…….I’m collecting my jaw from the floor every time I listen to this combo. No matter what I’m listening to, the VC is now doing things that I didn’t know were possible. Truly next level stuff!!

These headphones are masterpieces (all ZMFs not just VC) and they truly deserve a good chain to show what they are really capable of!

Edit: I could hear the “hollowness” as well before but after the DAC upgrade hollowness turned into extreme clarity!

 

[Anonelbe]

Also, if you are using the standard Auteur lambskin pads and find the lower treble to be a little a too hot, the Auteur hybrid pads will take some of that edge off. I made that switch and haven't looked back.

 

[KrauserX91]

You'd be surprised how good is the latest Wandla GSE with Hypsos pairing with ZMFs and tubes

Most of companies (specially Chifi), implement a delta sigma searching for a perfect measurement putting dual or quad of the latest chips, but... for what if they sound crappy . But HEM focused it in other way and they did it, a delta that sounds glorious. The Wandla have the technicalities of the delta without sacrificing the best of the R2R, and it reminds me to the Caldera philosophy of "best of both worlds". I jumped to Wandla from a Spring 3 after a lot of researching and it was the best decision.

The VC in Wandla + HA300 with the WE300B is simply delicious. First 10h of burn in and I hadn't any harsh in the upper mids