The new magnificent Linear Tube Audio MicroZOTL Preamplifier


I have spent the last 48 hours, did not go to sleep last night, listening to Linear Tube Audio's new dedicated full size, full function Micro ZOTL Preamplifier and I'm amazed, mesmerized, and delighted with what Mark Schneider in conjunction with David Berning has brought to the market with this new creation.

I'm a reviewer for hometheaterreview.com and about three years ago I awarded the "Product Of The Year" to the LTA ZOTLhead phone/preamplifier, which as a preamplifier completely out performed my $22,000.00 reference linestage!  Even today this remarkable piece, which sells for $1,700.00 with the upgraded power supply is still one of the best preamplifiers on the market.

Well, it took about three years for Mark to come up with a better "mouse trap". This new linestage is on a significantly higher qualitative performance level then its less expensive sibling and is driving my reference system to beautiful musical heights.  You can go to LTA's website to see how their new chassis work looks and the details of the internal quality of parts/construction and the explanation of the Berning's Zero Hysteresis Output Transfomer-Less circuit design.

Across every sonic attribute: timbres/color, image palpability/density, spatial qualities- air around players- tremendous soundstage depth/width/height, powerful overall dynamics, and deep extension with great low frequencies regarding tone/accuracy which gives a great foundation to the music.  All this and delivered with total liquidity and ease.  This preamplifier renders the illusion of real music better then any other linestage I have had in-house for review. 

My full review for hometheaterreview.com, with many more superlative details, will be coming out in the next few months, just wanted to give this "heads up" to the GON members because this preamp just kills it.  By the way I believe the retail cost is 4K, which is a bargain for what you get and the "magic" it will bring to your system.


teajay

Jmolsberg, thank for responding to my question. Wouldn't the modifications void the warranty on it?

I have a friend who is a high end stereo dealer and he will give me a very substantial discount on his products or other products through his dealer friends. I have been looking at the Einstein: The Preamp or their integrated amp and the Vinnie Ross L2 DHT. Very expensive even with a hefty discount. (I previously had the Einstein: The Tube preamp v2 modified with Echole wire and Mundorf capacitors. Unfortunately a carrier dropped it and destroyed it when it was coming back from a repair. I also had the Allnic L5000 DHT.)

However, the more I look at this preamplifier the more sense it makes to me to purchase it. Jack Burton, the Audio Beatnik recently tested the MZ3 with his SIT-3 and he said it sounded great.  I have a high quality Auris Audio headphone amp and the preamp has a tape out which should work with it. If the preamp's headphone quality is comparable to the Auris than I would sell the Auris. I also have a Focal subwoofer and the preamp has two outputs, I assume they both operate at the same time. 

 I noticed LTA offers a true balance input for $250 more. What is the benefit of this when it does not have balanced outputs? Is it to increase the gain? As noted above the SIT-3 has limited gain. I am also looking at the Denafrips Terminator DAC which does have balanced outputs.


^ it would. if it is out of warranty no worries (:

I like jack burton reviews!

no sure about the balanced/unbalanced gain, that would be a question for LTA, which also happens to have a no questions return policy

i have not heard the denafrips but i am very happy with my audio mirror tubadour III dac
LTA has informed me that the balanced input is to increase the gain as I thought. Never heard of your Dac, I will research it.
^ mine plays my DSD tracks fine, never bothered to ask how. Much prefer the NOS dac sound