A couple of minor corrections Due to the manual and some misinformation in the community, should be corrected below. the Z10e is a hybrid design, but the Z10e - and all of our amps - are 100% tube amps. No solid state amplification is used at all. It is sometimes said that the amp contains characteristics of both solid state and tube amps, which is probably the source of the confusion. - While the Z10e can be used as a preamp, note that the subwoofer outputs are not optimized for this purpose, so we make no claims as to the sound quality when used this way. Also, note that using it this way does not change the operation at all. That is, all tubes, the entire circuit, and the other outputs are still engaged. - You mention you can use the Z10e as a power amp. There is no way to bypass the preamp stage or disable the volume control, so the Z10e can only really be used as an integrated amp. This little confusion came above from the home theatre aspect of the unit in the manual and I always wondered why we could not activate this feature, until I reached out to the manufacturer
Thanks for the clarifications. One correction above: "The Z10e is a hybrid design" is not correct. The Z10e is 100% a tube amplifier, not a hybrid design.
Nicely done, sir. Your thoughts echo my own, except for the finish. I adore the way it looks and have no fears about scratches. Fingerprints, yes, they can be a pain! Mine sits in a sunny spot and different types of light throughout the day give emphasis to different aspects of the finish. Bravo, CMA.
Oh don’t get me wrong it’s absolutely gorgeous. I’m just very worried about it. Finish be careful. It does really scratch easily. I’ve seen some that I have not been looked after. Kind of hurts the soul. But I think that’s a subjective me thing LOL. I’m very OCD about my equipment.
I'm using a used LTA ultralinear integrated amp for the Susvara.... amazing... I think it's 25 watts, so more than this unit. The really good part is you can get a used one on audiomart for a fraction of the cost. This of course assumes you are not running estats. But yes, I think this is the best headphone amp I've ever owned. Nice review. I love the clicks by the way. :)
Finally...a headphone reviewer that doesn't think that amps and DAC's are relatively insignificant relative to the cost of the headphones! Most of these guys don't think amps and DAC's matter much, which doesn't make sense to me. Then again, just because someone is good at making UA-cam videos doesn't mean that they have great ears.
I think it’s a combination of the three The amplifier that stages large, the DAC that correctly interprets the digital to the analog domain, and the drivers to receive it
Like I mentioned in the video the DAC output stage makes a tremendous amount of difference, and by the way you only need 0.75 W to drive SUS to its full potential that’s not the problem it’s not the problem of the watts It’s the problem of the power supply most of the time not being able to supply enough current and then SUS craps itself on LTA. It does a fantastic job absolutely limitless potential of course not you can put SS on 100 K system and still get more.
@@ConvinceMeAudio It woud be awesome if you would find the time, this would help clarify the debate on how to optimally drive these headphones. I have no idea to do this, and chatGPT gave 300mA for 120dB as an answer. This does not quite make sense as even the TT2 can deliver 5A peak current.
FWIW, here's what Herb Reichert had to say about the Z10e + Susvara: "The LTA Z10e-Susvara combo missed no beats, showed no weaknesses, and kept my head bopping to Your Queen's morphing Afrobeat-grime-soca rhythms. The Z10e amp displayed no hesitations, dullness, or clipping; no smoke from the tires, no engine stalling-only full-traction, high-torque engagement."
I’m driving ZMF Verite Open with my Z10e using my Holo Audio Spring 3 KTE. I think it sounds phenomenal unless you want to listen at lower volumes at which point the sound thins out a lot. When I want to listen at lower volumes, I’ve needed to put in an iFi IEMatch+ in the middle. Have you noticed the same?
Not with lampizator aperio or wavedream. signature, it’s down to the output stage of the DAC, some of the holo DAC are just a bit soft and don’t have a powerful output stage.
@@ConvinceMeAudio Interesting. I hadn't thought to run the Spring 3 through a preamp to up the output. I ran it through my Benchmark DAC2 HCG acting as a preamp and on a very cursory listen, it improves the thickness of the sound. A Bliss or Serene might be in my future. Thanks!
I've wondered about upgrading to the Z10E from my MZ3 a number of times. Does it really drive Susvara properly? Because if so I'll be speaking to the guys next week to upgrade.
Hi, John. The Z10e is a wonderful match for the Susvara. Here's what Herb Reichert had to say about the combo: "The LTA Z10e-Susvara combo missed no beats, showed no weaknesses, and kept my head bopping to Your Queen's morphing Afrobeat-grime-soca rhythms. The Z10e amp displayed no hesitations, dullness, or clipping; no smoke from the tires, no engine stalling-only full-traction, high-torque engagement."
Have this on my shortlist for my Zu Soul Superfly. Did you get a chance to try it with a Chord Hugo TT2? if not then any thoughts on how that might play out and what it would put out with 16ohm speakers? Best in PRE or DAC mode?
Hugo2-2Go DAVE Especially great with those with the filter implementation adding a touch of warmth gives it so much life as well, both excellent TT2 will be the same
No, unfortunately it’s a very strange design. It’s like a block. You can’t put anything on it. It has to sit the way it is on the desk. Or a nice rack, but a tall one.
I recommend watching that review on the channel, I did not like the unit 23R whatsoever DIC synergy problems overheating too hot it’s a mess, but it’s far more powerful I think I think it controls SUS better but I don’t think it sounds as nice
The eight ohm impedance input should be more than fine. I’ve ran IEM on it on a regular basis. It does a very good job but tube amplifiers are always a little more noisy for IEM as a rule.
A couple of minor corrections
Due to the manual and some misinformation in the community, should be corrected below.
the Z10e is a hybrid design, but the Z10e - and all of our amps - are 100% tube amps. No solid state amplification is used at all. It is sometimes said that the amp contains characteristics of both solid state and tube amps, which is probably the source of the confusion.
- While the Z10e can be used as a preamp, note that the subwoofer outputs are not optimized for this purpose, so we make no claims as to the sound quality when used this way. Also, note that using it this way does not change the operation at all. That is, all tubes, the entire circuit, and the other outputs are still engaged.
- You mention you can use the Z10e as a power amp. There is no way to bypass the preamp stage or disable the volume control, so the Z10e can only really be used as an integrated amp.
This little confusion came above from the home theatre aspect of the unit in the manual and I always wondered why we could not activate this feature, until I reached out to the manufacturer
Thanks for the clarifications. One correction above: "The Z10e is a hybrid design" is not correct. The Z10e is 100% a tube amplifier, not a hybrid design.
Nicely done, sir. Your thoughts echo my own, except for the finish. I adore the way it looks and have no fears about scratches. Fingerprints, yes, they can be a pain! Mine sits in a sunny spot and different types of light throughout the day give emphasis to different aspects of the finish. Bravo, CMA.
Oh don’t get me wrong it’s absolutely gorgeous. I’m just very worried about it. Finish be careful. It does really scratch easily. I’ve seen some that I have not been looked after. Kind of hurts the soul.
But I think that’s a subjective me thing LOL. I’m very OCD about my equipment.
You're the best Koji! Tempting amp...no room for that but tempting.
I'm using a used LTA ultralinear integrated amp for the Susvara.... amazing... I think it's 25 watts, so more than this unit. The really good part is you can get a used one on audiomart for a fraction of the cost. This of course assumes you are not running estats. But yes, I think this is the best headphone amp I've ever owned. Nice review. I love the clicks by the way. :)
Finally...a headphone reviewer that doesn't think that amps and DAC's are relatively insignificant relative to the cost of the headphones! Most of these guys don't think amps and DAC's matter much, which doesn't make sense to me. Then again, just because someone is good at making UA-cam videos doesn't mean that they have great ears.
At this level, it’s a holy Trinity
Synergy becomes important and the amplifier and the DAC are as important as the driver themselves
i would like to know if it is the Abbys that pushes the stage back 20ft or the Z10 itself? very interesting review, thank you!
I think it’s a combination of the three
The amplifier that stages large, the DAC that correctly interprets the digital to the analog domain, and the drivers to receive it
It's only rated at 3 watts per 32ohms on high output. Is it really pushing the Susvara to it's potential?
Like I mentioned in the video the DAC output stage makes a tremendous amount of difference, and by the way you only need 0.75 W to drive SUS to its full potential that’s not the problem it’s not the problem of the watts
It’s the problem of the power supply most of the time not being able to supply enough current and then SUS craps itself on LTA. It does a fantastic job absolutely limitless potential of course not you can put SS on 100 K system and still get more.
@@ConvinceMeAudio Exactly, it's about current draw. But Koji, would you know how much peak current does Susvara need to be driven properly?
@@_DeepGroove_ I will have to work it out mathematically, but I think it’s a hell of a lot
@@ConvinceMeAudio It woud be awesome if you would find the time, this would help clarify the debate on how to optimally drive these headphones. I have no idea to do this, and chatGPT gave 300mA for 120dB as an answer. This does not quite make sense as even the TT2 can deliver 5A peak current.
FWIW, here's what Herb Reichert had to say about the Z10e + Susvara: "The LTA Z10e-Susvara combo missed no beats, showed no weaknesses, and kept my head bopping to Your Queen's morphing Afrobeat-grime-soca rhythms. The Z10e amp displayed no hesitations, dullness, or clipping; no smoke from the tires, no engine stalling-only full-traction, high-torque engagement."
I’m driving ZMF Verite Open with my Z10e using my Holo Audio Spring 3 KTE. I think it sounds phenomenal unless you want to listen at lower volumes at which point the sound thins out a lot. When I want to listen at lower volumes, I’ve needed to put in an iFi IEMatch+ in the middle. Have you noticed the same?
Not with lampizator aperio or wavedream. signature, it’s down to the output stage of the DAC, some of the holo DAC are just a bit soft and don’t have a powerful output stage.
@@ConvinceMeAudio Interesting. I hadn't thought to run the Spring 3 through a preamp to up the output. I ran it through my Benchmark DAC2 HCG acting as a preamp and on a very cursory listen, it improves the thickness of the sound. A Bliss or Serene might be in my future. Thanks!
I've wondered about upgrading to the Z10E from my MZ3 a number of times. Does it really drive Susvara properly? Because if so I'll be speaking to the guys next week to upgrade.
Hi, John. The Z10e is a wonderful match for the Susvara. Here's what Herb Reichert had to say about the combo: "The LTA Z10e-Susvara combo missed no beats, showed no weaknesses, and kept my head bopping to Your Queen's morphing Afrobeat-grime-soca rhythms. The Z10e amp displayed no hesitations, dullness, or clipping; no smoke from the tires, no engine stalling-only full-traction, high-torque engagement."
@@LinearTubeAudio Thank you!
@@LinearTubeAudio how about z40+ on susvara?
@@donnywidodo8874 The Z40+ has plenty of power for the Susvara. The Z40+ has a slightly smoother, more robust sound than the Z10.
Have this on my shortlist for my Zu Soul Superfly. Did you get a chance to try it with a Chord Hugo TT2? if not then any thoughts on how that might play out and what it would put out with 16ohm speakers? Best in PRE or DAC mode?
Hugo2-2Go DAVE
Especially great with those with the filter implementation adding a touch of warmth gives it so much life as well, both excellent TT2 will be the same
Thanks. The Z10 has some reviews saying bass is slow etc. Not the case for the Z10E?
@@mikehughescq certainly not, highly dynamic very very quick and I think the DAC plays a massive role in that
As a headphone enthusiast, I have all separates on my desk so this is very tempting. Is there a rack mount option ?
No, unfortunately it’s a very strange design. It’s like a block. You can’t put anything on it. It has to sit the way it is on the desk. Or a nice rack, but a tall one.
this or enleum 23r for susvara only
I recommend watching that review on the channel, I did not like the unit 23R whatsoever
DIC synergy problems overheating too hot it’s a mess, but it’s far more powerful I think I think it controls SUS better but I don’t think it sounds as nice
Will you review aic10 and red october?
Yes, I've seen very few reviews or comments on the Red October - just the odd comment claiming it was outstanding when people have listened at shows.
Red October A10 Riviera envy are all being reviewed right now
Is it noisey for iem sir?...Peace!
The eight ohm impedance input should be more than fine. I’ve ran IEM on it on a regular basis. It does a very good job but tube amplifiers are always a little more noisy for IEM as a rule.
I did not realize just how large the Z10e is.
Big square block
that thing is huge 👀
Big block of a unit, but it’s just tall. I think there are much bigger units here.
Unit #69.
hehehehehe