Linear Tube Audio - Micro ZOTL - version -3 Update on upgrades

@troutstreamnm Enjoy! I continue to be incredibly impressed. There really is more “there, there”! And while mine has settled in, it has taken a bit of time in my system.

cbrez, just curious, does LTA put a plate or sticker on the converted unit to signify it’s a Version 3?

Not on the front of the unit. There may be something on the back - I don’t recall. Unfortunately getting out of my rack to check is not the easiest of operations.

@troutstreamnm The circuit boards are quite a bit different between level 2 and 3. I think it would be pretty clear if someone has level 3 just by looking through the perforated top panel. You can find pictures of the internals online. 
 

Please let us know your thoughts on the upgrade when you receive it. 

Understood.  My personal preference would be to have a label identifying the upgrade.  I assume LTA will have the upgrade recorded in their records for the serial number on the unit. 

I picked up my level 3 preamp today. I'm pleasantly surprised at just how impactful this new version is. I'm loving this so far. More to come.

Just for the info, I saw that Steve Guttenberg posted his thoughts on the differences between the Level 2 and 3 a few weeks back. Seemed to correspond to the positive comments folks have mentioned here.

So clearly, going from version 2 to the new version 3 is a big jump in quality sound. What I’m hearing must result from less noise because the improvements are across the board. There is a smoother, grain-free presentation that is also seemingly more dynamic. Although I have yet to go head-to-head, the gap between my Backert Rhythm 1.4 and my LTA ZOTL Pre 3 is almost too close to call. Considering the Backert cost well over $12, speaks very highly of the ZOTL Pre. This level 3 mod is an entirely different preamp. LTA has a winner. 

@troutstreamnm have you received your preamp?

@cbrez ​​@lancelock are there any downsides to the upgrade? 

@cbrez no downside to this mod that I can find. All positive.

@sls883 yes and the Level 3 is just fabulous. A marked improvement over Level 2. I am very pleased with the performance of the Level 3 and highly recommend it. 

@sls883 I am still truly enjoying the upgrade and not hearing any downsides. There really is this immediacy and vibrancy that wasn’t quite there in the Level 2, as great as the Level 2 was for me. I am going to try some other 6SN7s soon.

i also really recommend the upgrade.

@lancelock ​@troutstreamnm ​@cbrez ​​​​​​

What did you do for a preamp while it was being upgraded.  Around 4 weeks? 

I have an old Rotel preamp, but it probably sucks.  Lol. I could probably run my dac directly into my amp and use the variable output. I'm not real keen on that idea.  

I used a Parasound P6 that I use in a second system. It was a difficult time as the P6 is not in the same class as even the Level 2 LTA. Think it took about 5 weeks for me to get the Level 3 delivered. 

@lancelock What amplifier and speakers are you using with your Backert/LTA preamplifier?

@troutstreamnm I currently have a Parasound P6 and A23 with Vandersteen Quatro CTs.  I really need to move forward with my upgrade of the P6 ASAP based on your comments.  Unfortunately, I need balanced outputs to mate with my Vandersteen filters in front of the Quatros.  The LTA lacks that feature. 

I updated from LTA level 1 to level 3, and I found the level 3 to be more dimensional, to have tighter bass, and to have more full/fleshed out/projected vocals.  There is  more air/space around vocals while at the same time having stronger/fuller vocals and more detail overall.  It is just objectively better most everywhere (although truth be told I kindof dug the looser (by direct comparison ) bass on the level 1 for some music.  
 

I have no high end comparisons for preamps to make, but I can say that in my system (highly treated room, Pass XA25, and Focal Kanta) the lta kevel 3 preamp has been a game changer that will never be replaced by me (unless they release a level 4 sone day.  It is absolutely end game sound as far as I am concerned for my system and for the goals I hoped to accomplish when i set out on this journey.  Whether it is the best of all, I have no idea, but I can say it is fantastic overall and everything I could have hoped for when taking the plunge.  Before the lta (even the level 1 is still eye opening), I still harbored silly thoughts about questioning what a preamp really does, if it is necessary, and if it can really improve sound.  Needless to say, I have now been educated…

I hasten to add that I did not have the two side by side at any point, so take these findings based on aural memory weeks apart (the time it took to do the upgrade) with a grain of salt.  That said, I do think the level 3 is significantly better than the already superb level 1.

@sls883 While I was waiting on the upgrade, I used an older Schiit Saga+ preamp with a CBS VT231 tube in it. It was the first preamp I purchased when I was starting to get back into the audio journey. It actually sounded quite nice! It was $400 5 years ago. I’ll definitely be holding on to it as a backup.

@dotto81, I have Altec Lansing 1570B tube monoblocks that were modded by Exempler Audio. My Gamut RS5i speakers are what I usually use, but they have been moved aside since my local dealer temporarily set up Soundlab G7-3C speakers for an Audio Club meeting. I will be listening to these until he takes them away.

I hope everyone is still enjoying the level 3 upgrade. I finally pulled the trigger and placed an order for a  level 3 update on my level 2. I only had the level 2 for ~4 months or so before they announced level 3, so I was somewhat reluctant to have to spend money on an update so soon. However, pretty much all of you have said that it is a worthwhile upgrade, so here I am. Just hoping they don't announce the level 4 anytime soon!