ZMF Verite Open

[Chris Kaoss]

Got the Caldera Hybrids laying around, so I'd give them a try in comparison to the Unis. ^^

Hope the solid suede inner layer doesn't mess up the sound.

Edit.

This was a short "experiment".
Instantly regretted the switch to the Caldera Hybrid perf.

Bass becomes boomy, vocals took a step back, the shimmery was nearly gone and the head stage collapsed quite a bit.

While I could see someone would like that kind of sound ( never had that much midbass out of the VO ), it wasn't for me and sucked out the magic out of the VO.
No recommendation from my side.

Tested with:

Dead by April - Anything at all orchestral Version
Aly&Fina - Perfect love
David Maxim Micic - The flock
Serhat Durmus - How much you hurt me


As I said, really short listening. ^^

 

[Pharmaboy]

I'll be listening to my silkwood VO tonight on 2 different amps, which provide a fascinating contrast in what the VO can do:

• Icon Audo HP8: with NOS Sylvania "bad boy" 6SN7s this gives the best bass I've yet heard from a tube amp, with the noteworthy exception of the ZMF Aegis, which was even a bit better. With the stock lambskin perforated universe pads, the VO already has a very fine bass range, detailed and revealing of nuances of bass instruments' tonality--a great match-up.
• Wells Milo: This powerful, slightly warm/neutral SS amp gives some of the best bass I've heard from a SS amp. The VO loves this amp, which gives it much of the tone & timbre of the HP8, but with even more force and linear dynamics in the bass.
• ie, a classic matchup of tube vs SS bass

The VO does many things right sonically, but I don't think it gets enough credit for its terrific bass. Not a basshead's dream headphone, perhaps, but it leaves me wanting for nothing at all even with bass-heavy electronic & funk music.

 

[Chris Kaoss]

I'll be listening to my silkwood VO tonight on 2 different amps, which provide a fascinating contrast in what the VO can do:

• Icon Audo HP8: with NOS Sylvania "bad boy" 6SN7s this gives the best bass I've yet heard from a tube amp, with the noteworthy exception of the ZMF Aegis, which was even a bit better. With the stock lambskin perforated universe pads, the VO already has a very fine bass range, detailed and revealing of nuances of bass instruments' tonality--a great match-up.
• Wells Milo: This powerful, slightly warm/neutral SS amp gives some of the best bass I've heard from a SS amp. The VO loves this amp, which gives it much of the tone & timbre of the HP8, but with even more force and linear dynamics in the bass.
• ie, a classic matchup of tube vs SS bass

The VO does many things right sonically, but I don't think it gets enough credit for its terrific bass. Not a basshead's dream headphone, perhaps, but it leaves me wanting for nothing at all even with bass-heavy electronic & funk music.

I'm really jealous bout your HP8.

While I'd love to have this amp in my collection, it's a bit expensive and/or hardly to get here in Europe.
And I've to admit, that I'd rather trade my R28 for a SPL Phonitor X or R27HE first, . . .





. . . and the Icon later on. ^^

 

[Pharmaboy]

I'm really jealous bout your HP8.

While I'd love to have this amp in my collection, it's a bit expensive and/or hardly to get here in Europe.
And I've to admit, that I'd rather trade my R28 for a SPL Phonitor X or R27HE first, . . .





. . . and the Icon later on. ^^

Well, I'm a bit jealous of your R28*. I'm something of an Audio GD fanboy. The R28 is one of those full frame builds that I simply can't fit on either side of my L-shaped desktop in the home office. One of my new/used toys is their AIO, the D28.38. I have zero inerest in the delta-sigma DAC in it, but I'm very interested in the amp section, which I have yet to hear. I'm currently using it as a preamp in my main system, and like other AGD AIOs, it's a superb preamp.

Icon Audio is in the UK, and from what I can tell, there are a fair number of their amps (they have numerous models, including another, larger HP amp, plus big 2-channel amps) "on the continent" as we say here. Have you looked for them on a used basis? Try searching using www.hifishark.com.

*mainly because of that big R2R DAC inside. Wouldn't mind hearing that one....

 

[devilboy]

Consider me another Audio GD fanboy. I've had a few of their all-in-ones and I was absolutely loving their digital to analog conversion and amplification. Even when I used them as preamps in my two-channel loudspeaker system, they performed admirably.

 

[icnaiwhimor1975]

Yes. I love it too

looks just great
my favorites in appearance are emission lab 300b

 

[Chris Kaoss]

Consider me another Audio GD fanboy. I've had a few of their all-in-ones and I was absolutely loving their digital to analog conversion and amplification. Even when I used them as preamps in my two-channel loudspeaker system, they performed admirably.

I'm with you on that.
My Elac actives sound fantastic out of the R28.
So do my headphones.
But there's always this itch to try something different. ^^
Y'all know this feeling.

And the HP8 has the right foot print to sit on my desk, beside the clean look.

Time will tell what'll cross my way in the near future.

But tbh, the R28 is a piece to stay for sure.
Like my VO.

 

[devilboy]

I've been sitting here for a good two hours listening to the VO with CUPL (Caldera Ultra Perforated Lamb), and I simply cannot find anything offensive about the sound I'm getting or anything I'd want to change sonically. I'm getting exceptional resolution and detail. There is a beautiful, long-lasting decay when needed and yet the drivers stop abruptly when needed. Midrange is smooth and lush and liquid, the way midrange should be. Bass is tight and quick. This headphone makes me want to play cello music. Solo cello or cello concertos. And speaking of concertos, large scale orchestral work has wonderful separation and gives you such a beautiful view into the soundscape.
Even the low level information has punch, if that makes sense. The low level information is still really articulate and then the dynamic swing to a full orchestral climax is handled without being too aggressive. The top to bottom coherency is exceptional on this headphone with the CUPL. Everything sounds seamless. On track after track I'm TRYING to find something I don't like and I come up empty.

All of this with the stock ZMF cable. My new Arctic Cables Talos V2 cable should arrive next week. I can't believe it actually might be an improvement on what I'm hearing now.

 

[JerseyD]

I've been sitting here for a good two hours listening to the VO with CUPL (Caldera Ultra Perforated Lamb), and I simply cannot find anything offensive about the sound I'm getting or anything I'd want to change sonically. I'm getting exceptional resolution and detail. There is a beautiful, long-lasting decay when needed and yet the drivers stop abruptly when needed. Midrange is smooth and lush and liquid, the way midrange should be. Bass is tight and quick. This headphone makes me want to play cello music. Solo cello or cello concertos. And speaking of concertos, large scale orchestral work has wonderful separation and gives you such a beautiful view into the soundscape.
Even the low level information has punch, if that makes sense. The low level information is still really articulate and then the dynamic swing to a full orchestral climax is handled without being too aggressive. The top to bottom coherency is exceptional on this headphone with the CUPL. Everything sounds seamless. On track after track I'm TRYING to find something I don't like and I come up empty.

All of this with the stock ZMF cable. My new Arctic Cables Talos V2 cable should arrive next week. I can't believe it actually might be an improvement on what I'm hearing now.

Classical and jazz are just fantastic on the VO. It’s shocking they don’t get more love. Maybe not enough of us are listening to classical and jazz! That Talos v2 is going to be amazing with the VO, although heavier than you are used to. You’ll get used to it!

 

[devilboy]

Classical and jazz are just fantastic on the VO. It’s shocking they don’t get more love. Maybe not enough of us are listening to classical and jazz! That Talos v2 is going to be amazing with the VO, although heavier than you are used to. You’ll get used to it!

I agree with everything. Lol.

Yeah, I'm expecting a heavier cable. Hope it "wears" well though.
The stiffness of the stock cable is atrocious.
This cable does not wear well at all. I hate it.

 

[oldmankensey]

Phillies! They were as bad as the stock cable yesterday!

I am so glad to hear good reports of the VO and classical - that is what is most important to me. Can’t wait to acquire one, maybe during ZMF November.

 

[devilboy]

Phillies! They were as bad as the stock cable yesterday!

I am so glad to hear good reports of the VO and classical - that is what is most important to me. Can’t wait to acquire one, maybe during ZMF November.

LMAO!!!
I swear to you, I was thinking exactly the same thing. Yesterday the Phillies made the stock ZMF cable seem like a $6,000 cable. I was wondering if someone was going to comment on that.

Yeah, that's a good idea about a possible ZMF November acquisition. Good luck.

 

[Pharmaboy]

Classical and jazz are just fantastic on the VO. It’s shocking they don’t get more love. Maybe not enough of us are listening to classical and jazz! That Talos v2 is going to be amazing with the VO, although heavier than you are used to. You’ll get used to it!

I listen to a ton of classical on all my headphones (and speakers) ... quite a bit of jazz, too. No doubt the VO excels in these genres. It does so well with the tone and timbre of voice and any instruments.

However, it also can pound like George Foreman on genres with a heavy bass and beat (funk, soul, R&B, Afropop). Put the VO on a really good SS amp with any of these genres and I guarantee you won't be thinking, "Gee, I wish this was better."

 

[devilboy]

I listen to a ton of classical on all my headphones (and speakers) ... quite a bit of jazz, too. No doubt the VO excels in these genres. It does so well with the tone and timbre of voice and any instruments.

However, it also can pound like George Foreman on genres with a heavy bass and beat (funk, soul, R&B, Afropop). Put the VO on a really good SS amp with any of these genres and I guarantee you won't be thinking, "Gee, I wish this was better."

I agree 100%.

I'm a big jazz head as well and the VO certainly delivers.

Today I was considering pulling the trigger on a Ray Samuels the Dark Star amplifier. Somebody is selling one. Upgraded by Ray Samuels himself. God I was tempted.

 

[Pharmaboy]

I agree 100%.

I'm a big jazz head as well and the VO certainly delivers.

Today I was considering pulling the trigger on a Ray Samuels the Dark Star amplifier. Somebody is selling one. Upgraded by Ray Samuels himself. God I was tempted.

Never heard of that one, though I sure know the name Ray Samuels. Is it good?