@audioman58 Thanks for the update. I received my Level 2 a couple of weeks earlier than you. I appear to be on a similar audio journey -- just different stops. My MicroZOTL should go in for upgrade in the next two weeks.
Linear Tube Audio - Micro ZOTL - version -3 Update on upgrades
Having just received the Micro-Z OTL version 2 in Feb and seeing a much better upgrade was available . I had to do it to help complete my quest to get everything in my audio system as good as possible, and for 6 months the 30% off the upgrade stands . Where the older model had 4 circuit boards ,now just one very high quality Ceramic board ,with a small sister board , Gold over thick Copper traces. To start with an additional 80k uf in filter capacitance over 200k in total ,more then most amplifiers,pretty much Everything is name brand parts . I have the Top of the line Lundahl input transformers from Sweden .
having many years in Audio and having had many audio pieces modded , this preamp is Loaded with top of the line in parts quality using worlds best Belleson low noise regulators , Nichicon GOLD capacitors ,from Japan ,AMTRAN BEST - Golden SQ also Japan .EPCOS from Germany.Clarity-CMR -U.k all top notch capacitors
With balanced inputs , and the David Berning design Micro -Z-OTL output stage and Mark and engineering team . The interior is vastly upgraded, now a. Nice large toggle switch to choose between the 6 v - 6sn7 tubes and 12v. 12sn7 , the whole tube socket area is a nice thick platform no flexing and having just 1 Big main board not only more robust but much lower noise floor is Very apparent. Sonically the New version -3 is a major step up. To start I used just the stock tubes in the Version 3 to test vs an audio friends with the version 2 with much better Rays select 6sn7 tubes and same Telefunken 12au7 tubes that I bought . TheNew Version is better with ease ! Image depth is better and a deeper larger soundstage , Bass-MidBass has even better dynamics and slam, even quieter blacker back grounds, With excellent control ,and is just more tuneful, fast, and articulate. When I decided Now it’s time to. Put in my top Rays select 6sn7 tubes And 12AU7 Telefunken Red tip medical grade tubes . It was at minimum another 5 % Better still !! This was a substantial upgrade even with stock tubes .I go to several audio gatherings, the ones who have heard this all have $50k+ audio systems and stated you would have to spend well over $12k to just to come close to this preamplifier performance music just is seamless and coherent which I totally agree !! It has the best of what tubes do best in a Big open soundstage stage , with lots of Air and separation around the instruments ,with excellent Solid state like imaging Big dynamics and ultra fast Tight Bass, much more so now in the version 3 . Listening ,to classic Beatles to Pink Floyd interactions in the micro details that before we’re barely audible now come out of the shadows and are clear and defined , this alone to me is special .I have not found a preamp even close in the $10k+ range that can better this SS or vacuum Tubes, Great Job 👏 To all at LTA Audio 👍🎶👍.
Showing 8 responses by thriftyaudio
@audioman58 I have not heard the Gryphon, but I am more than satisfied with the Pass Labs XA-25. I have difficult speakers to drive with a 0.5 Ohm draw in a few passages at volume. The XA-25 works great. I have powered subwoofers with an active SPL Crossover so the XA-25 does not have to do much work below 80 Hz. One of the LTA amplifiers might work as well. |
@sfpeloton I will be sending my Level 2 back for an upgrade next week. Jacob said I already had the Lundahl transformers so that is not in my billing. It was an upgrade LTA did along the way. |
My Level 3 upgrade arrived Friday and I have spent a large part of the weekend listening to music. The total turn around time was eighteen days including shipping from the West Coast to Maryland and back again. Fortunately I was traveling during much of that time. I let the system play for twelve hours before I started any critical listening. It is very difficult to compare the Level 2 versus the Level 3 results without having them side by side. This is the same issue I have had comparing power amps, speakers, preamps, and DACs. I expect I will have the same difficulty as I upgrade my streamer. Fortunately, I anticipated the issue and had notes regarding particular songs and source material. Across the board I found the instrument and performer separation was improved. Frequently the singer, or featured instrument was brought forward slightly. Stage presence height improved with Level 3. Level 2, plus all my other preamps over the years had exaggerated placement relative to what they should be. Level 3 is the first preamp that I have owned to nail the height issue. Things that are suppose to be overhead (think Pink Floyd, soundtracks with singers on different floors, and helicopters) are where they should be. The soundstage placement is consistent a joy to listen to. Regarding background blackness: I am not certain I can tell if there is an improvement, or even a change. There might be, but I am unable to identify it. Some instruments seem to have a more natural extension. The Level 2 improved this area versus the Benchmark LA4. The Level 3 is better than the 2 with this as well. Bass is more accurate in the extreme (under 30 Hz). The extreme bass in Imagine Dragons' "Radioactive" is actually tamed a bit. I didn't have to rush to turn it down because the house was shaking. The house still shakes with the cannon from The 1812 Overture as it should. Bass placement is a bit more detailed and tight. I am very glad I decided to the get the Level 3 upgrade. It compares favorably to the Backert Labs Rhumba Extreme 1.4 (have not heard the Rhythm 1.4). Regarding tube rolling: I have the original NOS tubes shipped with the unit plus the Ray Reserve and Gold Lion tubes LTA offers. The upgraded tubes still sound much better than the standard tubes. I am not inclined to try many different tube pairings. I will leave that with the pros, in this case LTA. I did enquire regarding the Ray Select tubes LTA is now offering in place of the NOS Gold Lion. The replied that there would be a slight difference, but not much and that is could be perceived as an improvement or a downgrade depending on my perception. I may buy a pair down the road, but not the immediate future. There may be better tubes out there, but that is not path that I will be exploring for now. |
@dotto81 A friend has a Rhumba Extreme 1.4. He swears by it. The 1.4 might be the most affordable component in his system. He swung by Sunday after visiting a couple of wineries. He knew the Level 3 was installed and he wanted to give a listen. By the time he arrived I was very impressed with the results. While my system costs a fraction of his I believe it compares favorably. He has been encouraging me to step up to the Rhumba Extreme 1.4 saying that it would be the best investment in my system, even more than a streamer upgrade, which I am considering. He joined me for a game of pool while we listened. About halfway through he asked me to play A Vivaldi Four Seasons SACD. He sat there for around twenty minutes and said the preamp made all the difference. He felt is was the equivalent of his 1.4. While I thought it was also I know better than to suggest it to him. Now he says the next upgrade I should focus on is a streamer. We agree. He loved the detail, the instrument separation, the improved pacing, and the pleasure of listening to it. While he is not a fan of electrostatic speakers he does like my set up with the dual subwoofers. I doubt if he will switch over from the 1.4 to the Level 3. I actually think he will find a very expensive preamp to upgrade his system. That is the way he rolls. Otherwise, he is a decent guy. |
At @dotto81 Paul brought both in and for some reason preferred the Rhumba Extreme 1.4 versus the Rhythm. He is not shy about spending money. I do not remember the specifics. |
@lancelock I am looking forward to your comparisons of the two preamps. The Rhumba Extreme 1.4 was my second choice, although I was never able to compare the LTA MicroZOTL Level 2 with it in my system. I went with the LTA ultimately based on price, then decided it met my needs, until the Level 3 upgrade became available. @sls883 @smatsui I have never had a grounding/shock issue with any of my equipment, but then again my rack is solid wood. |