Congrats! That should be a good combo. Looking forward to hearing your impressions once things are up and running.
27 responses Add your response
My Zu Omen Defs are already 8 ohms, however, I've read that people with Zu Souls use the resistor with great results. My Omen Defs are rated at 101 db efficiency. The review measurements generally palce it around 96-97 db, which is still really sensitive. I'm hooking up the amp later today. I just with there were a better way to turn the thing on and off. In the past, I've tried those "master" power strips, but find that they add noise. I currently run all my components to a Torus power conditioner/protector. |
This amp is fantastic. I first listened without my subwoofer and the bass came alive. If I did not already run a sub, I probably would not need one. However, Ifavor louder bass than most. I did recalibrate sub-to a much lower volume and adjusted crossover. This is the smoothest Sound I have ever heard coming out my speakers. The amp goes way loud without any distortion. I’m using the balanced inputs. I feel i am actually hearing the true tonal character of my BHK pre. The amp is dead quiet. Sounds come out of total darkness. I am good for the next few years. At least in the amplifier department. |
I've now listened to the amp quite a bit over the last 24 hours. Some more observation 1. This amp is so quiet, that even the tube hiss from the pre amp is only apparent if you place ear up close to speaker. 2. This amp is LOUD!!! I can play heavy rock and all the dynamics are there at really loud volumes. Plus, There's more volume if I need. Unless someday I move to a bigger room, I cannot seeing needing any more power with the Zu Speakers. 3. Low Volume listening sounds great. This is the biggest surprise. At one time, I used an EQ to boost low end during late night listening. Recently, I used a Roon DSP setting for such. I no longer need that now. 4. Poor recordings sound a little better. Not shrill or brittle like my previous amp. 5. I was expecting a really hot furnace. Not at all. The amp gets warm to the touch and shelf above does as well, but not anything major. I read some saying the "amp made the room too hot" etc. Unless one listens in a closet or lives in 100 degree plus heat with no AC, I can't see how this would be an issue. Now I need to find a way to turn the J2 on without reaching around the back each time. |
Yes. I am running one sub (with Anti Mode sub calibrater) and will be switching to two eventually. The bass, however, sounds much deeper with the J2 (with sub off) vs my previous NuForce amp. I had to turn the sub level down a little bit and adjust the crossover setting to compensate for the deeper bass. |
| Post removed |
Ok after 10 months I am loving the j2. However, I listen to a lot of electronic music and I feel the J2 is a little muddy on that type of music. Fantastic on Jazz, classical and classic rock. I'm now thinking of trading the J2 in on a Pass Labs XA30.8 (has balanced connections) or a X150.8. I may switch speakers down the road so the extra power may be nice. Both are around the same price if I purchase a demo. From what I've read, the Pass Labs amps are a little more snappy and have a wider dynamic range. |
I continue to marvel how great the J2 sounds. Jazz, Metal, Classical, even electronic music (maybe not as snappy for electronic...but close enough). I was playing 24/96 of Led Zeppelin 1 and was really cranking the amp (89 on BHK volume meter), this thing is so distortion free it is scary. Plus, I had more room to go if needed. Right now, outside a dedicated streamer (vs computer) and more room treatments, I do not have the urge to do any upgrades. Certainly that will change eventually, I really feel I got everything system wise dialed in perfectly. |
aberyclark OP For even more naturalness/transparency The First watt has an input impedance of 100kohm which anything can drive, and 20db of voltage gain, and your Zu Omen are 97dB!!! You "could" very well lower even more the "electronic signature" count by flicking an unneeded preamp, and feeding your source be it dac or phono stage into a $49 Shiit Sys passive preamp with no electronic signature, and your sound could get even more transparent, if the gain is still enough. https://www.schiit.com/products/sys Or if your dac/cdp has level control try it direct into the J2, without using the Sys even. Cheers George |
I recently picked up a J2 as well. I rotate it thru two systems. One of the ways is through passive preamp. This setup usually consists of 90db speakers,and really works well for my needs. Running 97db speakers will really work great! I tried the sys to see if it would work for me. Within a week I purchased a Prometheus TVC pre that I use to this day. |
I purchased a Prometheus TVC preTVC passives have a little coloration just like LDR passives compared to a Sys or going direct, probably suits your preferred system/room balance, but still more transparent, less noise, and less distortion than a active preamp. If you have the gain/speaker efficiency, then all passives will better the transparency/noise floor/and distortion. Only going direct is even better, but it has some proviso’s, re starting to "bit strip" (less resolution) if using the digital domain volume control below 75% of full Cheers George |
