Linear Tube Audio- Any feedback on their amps/ Preamp?

I almost Forgot. I removed my ZOTL40 and installed the UltraLinear in my listening room powering my 87db Janszen zA2.1 speakers. I can’t believe the 20 watts can power these speakers this way. Im listening as loud as I like and not close to clipping. As good as the ZOTL40 is the UL is more refined in every way especially the bass. It has a firm grip on the woofers. I don’t think I’ve ever heard a piano sound so real before. I’m just beginning to tube roll the 12AU7 and 12AX7s.

@zek4u 

im sure it will be quite a bit more than the MZ2. I will stop in again within the next couple of weeks and ask Mark about the MC option. I’m interested in MC as well. Mark did say the David Berning designed phono stage will be very good.

Wonder if it will have MC too.  About to buy a DV 75 Mk. IV. But it might be hard to beat it with the Dr. T mode with my 20X2L. 

Am sure it will be a lot more then the MZ2-S. 

@admranger 

I was at LTA recently and saw the stand alone preamp prototype sitting on the work bench. It’s a full size Fern and Robey built case.  It has a ceramic board and optional phono stage. Mark didn’t say when a production model will be available but it looks promising.

Any word on a stand alone preamp from LTA?  I thought they were working on one?

Man. Ultralinear sounds amazing. Okay I’m adding it to the list. Just kind of shocked the ZOTL 10 powers the P3ESRs. Funny how Enjoy The Music just published a great ZOTL 10 review right when I decide to keep mine. He also seems to be the first state that the little 10 can power less efficient Speakers. I don’t crank my stuff though. Well, stars aligned for me on my April fools birthday. Ha. 

http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0418/Linear_Tube_Audio_ZOTL10_MKII_Review.htm

From reading the review, what does stick out with my system is the quality of the bass and the dynamics. It’s scope is huge and defined. Transient information is just amazing. So real and I have crappy cables right now. 

Still waiting for the ultralinear.

Terry London from hometheaterreview.com seems to really like the Micro-ZOTL with the XA-25. So did teajay here at Audiogon. List goes on...

Jack from theaudiobeatnik.com reviewed the XA-25 with the MZ2-S but seemed to like the HPA-1 best. " The two Pass Labs products had a very nice synergy. "  I just wonder what tubes Jack used and if things could have gotten better.  I'm running my HD-800S headphones balanced with the HDV820 and worry what kind of of performance hit I'll take moving to single ended.

Then there is the MZ2-S & ZOTL 10 combo that Herb Reichert and Rafe Arnott loved at RMAF 2017... I should have just stuck with the combo. Didn't because of a speaker mismatch. Maybe I'll just get another. MZ2-S with the LPS+ but the Pass Labs combo also intrigues me.

I'm using all Gold Lions in my ZOTL 10 and put Gold Lions in my MicroZOTL2.0 before I sold it to my friend. My 6SN7s were the Tung-Sol 6SN7 GTB 1 Pair Reissue that I believe came stock. I just didn't want to mess with NOS tubes as I've had bad luck with the ones I purchased being microphonic.

Think I'll try to find an XA-25 eventually just to compare. I'll borrow my old MZ2 when the time comes.

I'm using the mz2 with a Pass xa30.8, and the synergy is pretty special.  From what I've been reading, the XA-25 may even be better, so I'd say you can't go wrong.  I would like to know what tube rollers are using in the MZ2 to better the stock tubes.  Any suggestions welcome.

I was set on a Naim Nait 2 and was comparing some Proac Tablette 10s to my old Harbeth P3esr speakers. For grins, hooked up the ZOTL 10 to my Sennheiser’s  HDV 820 pre outs with the P3s playing. Wow!  Doesn’t go loud but I sit nearfield. Still curious about a Pass Labs XA-25 and the HPA-1 but this simple setup sounds incredible. It was like going from hi end to something world class. 

I want to get to RMAF or CAF this year. Since I already have an LTA system, guess RMAF would be fine since all I’ll be buying is music :). Still would like to meet the LTA folks at CAF and tell them thank you personally. 

Heard the LTA with Rethm loudspeakers at the NYC audio show this past autumn.

They sounded marvelous, and easily ranked as the best I heard in an otherwise extremely poor show

Awesome review!  Agree with every word. 
The records of Cecile McLorin Salvant have been in my Music Direct wish list for a while. The redbook of Woman Child blew my crazy audiophile friend away with the MZ2/Z10. Wait until he hears it on vinyl. 

Folks may want to check this out if they haven't seen it already:

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/review-linear-tube-audio-lta-ultralinear-amplifier

As good as it gets.......

New huge Linear Tube Audio, David Berning fan in Texas. Had it all and favorites so far, Harbeth/Croft separates, Harbeth/LFD NCSE, Harbeth/Naim SN2, Leben/Devore. I was waiting for my Harbeth 30.1s to get repaired and got into headphones to keep me happy - Sennheiser HD800S. Mistake. Unreal with a Violectric V280 and V281. I then tried to merge the headphone system into the near field desktop rig and wanted the best performance of both worlds. It’s worse than trying to do good 2-channel with an AV system. I didn’t want anything huge sitting on my beautiful desk like a PrimaLuna DiaLogue Premium HP or Manley Stingray II tube Integrated. Violectric V281 was great but wasn’t completely happy with the 2 channel side using its pre-outs or the AV pass through on the Belles. I moved on from Harbeth P3ESRs at this point because I wanted to lose the mid bass hump. My research of great headphone amps that also act as great preamps led me to the LTA MZ2. I was a little scared that the MZ2 wouldn’t kick the HD800S headphones into gear being their bass can be a little lightweight. I also wanted to maintain dynamics, soundstage and nuance. Well so far, I haven't been disappointed with the MZ2 one bit. I know you guys hate hearing this but it really seems like the best of tubes and solid state.

Now moving on to 2-channel. MZ2 with the Z10 has blown me away with my newly acquired Proac Tablette 10 speakers that only require a minimum of 5 watts. The guy I bought the Z10 from had the tubes messed up pretty bad. Now have all Gold Lions in the MZ2 and Z10. WOW! Still using a Tung-Sol 6SN7 GTB in the MZ2 as Gold Lion doesn't make that one yet. Seems perfectly fine. My old Chord 2Qute DAC is working out great with this rig. Timbre, instruments truly sound like what they are supposed to sound like in every recording, such beautiful tonal color and balance. Vocals sound the best I’ve ever heard, Stacey Kent, Norah Jones and Brandi Carlile. Rock sounds amazing, Radiohead, Spoon, you name it. Transients like leading edge sound much more realistic now that I got the Tung-Sol 2AT7/ 12AU7 and cheap Russian tubes out of the Z10. Sound stage placement also got more defined without any fatigue. Tonal balance, perfect. So happy. Who thought I could have the best of both worlds in one system, headphone and 2-channel. Maybe I can now concentrate on the music.

Their preamp my brother bought and has several units 3x as much thst are not as good. 
And their Lps+:external power supply is incredible. 
It takes the Very good D-1  Lumin digital  12-13v external power supply and makes it exceed their T-1  3x the money. The ps and get the better wire harness, 
And replace fuses the 2 fuses. 1.6 fast blow 20mm Hifi tuning.  The synergistic 
Can be too rich .in a ps you want the neutrality. $700 retail .The preamp ask for a bigger case and ,Khozmo shunt attenuator 63 step with relay,and remote 
Around $2600 with extras . 

@kddusing - if you're nearby, Linear Tube Audio is located in Takoma Park, MD, not far from where CAF is held. They have a show room so you can go by there any day for a listen. I stop in frequently.

My current setup:

Melco N1A server
Exogal Comet plus with wywires umbilical cable
primaluna HP integrated with SE black fuse

Running russell k red 50 monitors and swap with Graham Chartwell ls3/5.

i have heard the micro zotl 2.0 at captial audiofest last year and after finding this thread, I am definitely thinking of trying the ZOTL40. Possibly using the Comet dac as preamp until maybe getting the micro 2.0 as preamp as well. I'm guessing from all the positive results I'll have no objections? Also see a lot of fellow gold lion kt77 lovers here which is awesome. 

Thanks in advance for the feedback. 

Mark Schneider (owner of LTA) told me this and I don't think he'll mind me quoting him:

"The ZOTL circuitry is complex and like no other tube amplifier. It is an advance in tube technology. Which is why it sounds more musical and realistic than almost all others, and certainly anything in its price range. One of our clients just replaced his $16K Pass preamp that comes in 3 pieces and his $27K Pass power amps with a microZOTL and 2 monoblocked 40s....and says they sound better."

Ditto on the MicroZotl2.0s. Fantastic peice for the money. I have it paired with an Aurender A10 and makes for a solid front end.

Lance, a friend who is a reviewer has that combination and it is quite good.

I use Beveridge model 2's. They are direct drive with their own OTL amps. Not all preamps play well with the amps and speakers. My two favorites are the CJ Art 3 and now the MicroZOTL. 

Baranyi,

what amp amp are you running with the LTA pre? I am using LTA's ZOTL40 and the combination of the two is better than anything I've heard at any show.

I did get the Linear power supply with remote and extra input. I have some great  6sn7 and 12at7 and they take this unit to completely different level. I listened with the stock tubes and couldn't imagine it being better but the unit is even more musical with the NOS tubes . I sit here listening to the demo unit feeling sad that I will need to give it back knowing it will be a couple weeks until mine is built. The shocker is that my wife even noticed. She is a professional musician and hears enough live music so that audio gear isn't important to her. She noticed how much more musical the system sounded with the preamp. She asked me if it was the preamp that caused the music to sound so much better. She asked why I had to give it back!

Baranyi,

did you you get the linear power supply? It makes a difference. I am waiting on the MZ2-S to be built. It comes stock with NOS tubes and remote. This is the best version yet.

Demoing the MicroZOTL 2 as a preamp and it is fantastic! I have had Audio Research Reference 5 and CJ Art 3. This gives up nothing to these far more expensive pieces! 

Jsm71,

Mark Schneider is planning to build a full function dedicated preamp and it will have a built in phono stage as well. I will be able to sell my JC3+ when that happens. I just don't know when it will happen.

if anyone out there doesn't know about these amps yet then you don't what you're missing. This is the best kept secret in high end audio.

Lancelock,
For sure...when I run them together I'll definitely check back in and let you know. 

shydog17,

i am interested in how these amps perform with the Micro ZOTL2

t_ramey,

I own the Pass XA30.8 and am borrowing a First Watt SIT-2 amplifier. 

Am planning to try them both with the MicroZOTL2.0 preamp in January or February. 

I hooked up the SIT-2 this week and it is one of the most amazing sounding amplifiers you will ever hear. I'd expect mating it with LT MicroZOTL2.0 will make serious magic. I'll let you know when I do. Happy holidays. 

-Ben

In this system I'm using Decware ERRx radial speakers (very good Omni speakers for the price)

http://www.decware.com/newsite/ERR.html

I will eventually move things around and try a set of Monitor Audio GX300's I have.

Very nice!

What speakers are you using with the microZOTL/Job225 combo?

T_ramey, the Micro ZOTL2 plays very well with the Job 225.  The clarity and detail of the Micro as a preamp is astounding. It seems to add no sonic character of its own. Maybe I've never heard a 10K preamp but I've never heard heard anything this good.

It's apparently been sent on a slow boat. It should be delivered today.

lancelock-

Any impressions on how the micro ZOTL preamp mates with the Job 225?

t_ramey,

yes, the remote control feature should be available by the end of the year or maybe January? Better to check with them.  I live close by so I hang out there occasionally and I saw the prototype.

The new MZ2-S will soon have a switch on the board to change from 6 volt to 12 volt. This allows you to use 6SN7 or 12SN7 tubes and NOS 12SN7 tubes are cheap because of low demand. He is able to sell the unit pre-rolled with NOS RCA tubes. The sound is incredible.

These LTA amps won't win any beauty contests so if you're into audio jewelry maybe not your thing but if you're into quality, world class sound at a price that seems too good to be true.... For me this is it.

Nice lancelock.

Yeah, some say the Job plays better with a passive pre because of the relative high gain but I had used a tubed pre with it when I had one and thought it was a good match. Probably helped that the speakers I had at the time were not as efficient as the ones I have now.

Someone told me they heard that Linear Tube Audio is developing a remote for the micro ZOTL preamp, have you heard that?

I picked up a Job 225 here on Agon. I will let you know how they do together. Although I've heard the Job 225 can be picky when it comes to the pre it's paired with.

i have tried the Micro ZOTL with other tube amps and it's good but the synergy between the Micro and the ZOTL 40 is the best pairing I've ever heard. Just incredible.

i just noticed today they have a Black Friday sale. I'm going to Have to get the MZ2-S.

Anybody try the micro ZOTL preamp with a solid state amp? LTA recommends it with tube amps but just curious if anybody's had any success using it with any solid state amps. 

I just got back from a D.C. HiFi Group meeting. They had the ZOTL10 and Micro ZOTL preamp with Fern & Robey speakers and turntable. The sound was very good.

i am very happy with the ZOTL40 driving my Janszen zA2.1 speakers. I don't See it getting any better than this.

The Lawrence Audio speakers are an incredible match for the Linear Tube separates. See Terry London's review in Home Theater Review. He uses this combo.

Has anyone compared the MZ2 + LPS with Dennis Had's LP27A preamp? I have found the latter to be a true giant killer. Has anyone compared the former with Dennis Had's Dragon IHA-1 headphone amp? These are all similarly priced and the Dragon can also be used as a preamp with the optional outputs.

David Janszen resorted to mainly direct sales so he could lower prices.  So I suggest contacting him.  He does offer trial purchases.

Thanks for the advice. I will definitely use the MZ2 as a pre-amp. If anyone is still using their switching power supply, I highly recommend getting the linear power supply LTA now offers. Makes a big difference. 

(I was so impressed by the linear power supply that I jumped hard on the power supply bandwagon and got a third-party one that costs about as much as the MZ2 did to begin with.) 

Anyway, with the ZOTL40 I find myself in a position of looking for speakers to match my amp instead of the other way around. I will look into the Janszens. Not sure if they're available in Japan, where I am, but I will check. 

Zach, based on Lance's experience I might suggest the Janszen Carmelita, formerly called the zA1.1.  That is the stand mounted version of his zA2.1 with very similar sonic character.  While I'll admit the zA2.1 hardly occupies more floor space than its stand mounted sibling, with fewer drivers the Carmelita might suit some smaller rooms better and the price is quite a bit lower.  Yet it retains that electrostatic mid-range magic.

Zachawry,

definitely use the Micro ZOTL as a preamp with the ZOTL40. It beat a 4K preamp I tried in my system. The two were meant for each other. The ZOTL40 will work without a preamp, it has a volume control but it's better with a pre.

This combo is absolute magic with my Janszen zA2.1 speakers and plenty of power but they are a little pricey, unless you found them on the used market maybe. I also have a set of Decware ERRx radial speakers that sound pretty good with the combo. The ZOTL40 is way more power than these radial speakers need.

One other thing I noticed is the power. I think the ZOTL40 is actually rated at 46 watts. I have another 40 watt old school tube amp and the ZOTL40 is way more powerful, more volume. My 87db Janszens are driven with headroom to spare.

Hi.

I am definitely going to get the ZOTL40. At the same time, I’m looking for some speakers to go with them. I don’t have a lot of space, so something with a small footprint.

I’ve heard the ZOTL40 with a set of Dynaudio Confidence C1s, and the sound was excellent. However, the Dynaudio’s are both expensive, and really prefer higher-wattage amps.

Does anyone have a suggestion for a good pairing with this amp?

I already have the microZOTL2, which I bought as a headphone amp, and it’s just one of my favorite purchases ever.

weebeesdad-

I found the synergy to be better with the Proacs vs the Omegas.  I think the Omegas do better with SET amps, maybe because the SET amps produce more distortion and the Omegas are so clear.    

Scott -
Are your observations the same with the Proacs as with the Omegas?  Did you find either one to be more synergistic than the other (the Omegas being higher efficiency and higher impedance)?