Current Set-Up Pics - Official Picture Thread

[raindownthunda]

SOURCE/DAC

• Roon (FLAC + Qobuz)
• Spotify for discovery, playlist management, casual listening
• Soundiiz for syncing Spotify ↔ Qobuz
• Tripp-Lite USB cable with ferrite chokes
• Schiit Yggdrasil+ More Is Better DAC (via Unison USB)

AMPS

• 1101 Audio Blue Halo+ OTL
• Bottlehead Crack (w/ Speedball)
• NITSCH DSHA-3FN

HEADPHONES

• ZMF Verite Closed (Stabilized)
• ZMF Atrium Closed (Resin)
• ZMF Aeolus (Ziricote)

MY JOURNEY
Since late-2019, I’ve been slowly building my headphone setup around ZMF headphones. It all started when Tyler let me demo a few ZMF’s and I fell in love with the tuning. The Aeolus (b-stock Ziricote) was my first ZMF - a huge upgrade from the 58x (that I still have today, albeit now with ZMF pads). Since then I’ve continued with the focus of building “The Ultimate ZMF Listening Station”. I’ve reached a stage where I’m feeling pretty close to audio-nirvana.

Earlier this year I swapped the BF2/64 for the Yggy+ GS2/A1. Mind blown. While I loved the major leap in technicalities, I was not really happy with the leaner tilt, esp. with certain amp/headphone pairings. I bought the MIB upgrade card the day it was available. Just over 2 weeks now and I’m VERY happy with how this DAC is synergizing with ALL of my amps and headphones. I feel like the perfect balance has been achieved between technical performance and pure enjoyment.

LISTENING
I spend about 90% of my time listening to the Blue Halo+ amp. The Blue Halo+ was built by a talented amp designer/builder in Canada - @A2029. They design and build boutique amps under the moniker of 1101 Audio. I won’t go into all of the details of this amp now - perhaps one day I’ll get around to a more detailed write up (in the meantime here’s a brief product description).

My goal with this amp and working with @A2029 was to ensure that no expense was spared, either in the components used or the design of the circuit. Every decision was made with singular goal of ensuring the best possible performance with ZMF dynamics. This amp has taken a long time to get to know, but it’s been an extraordinarily rewarding experience. There are multiple configurations which can each run thousands (perhaps millions, with adapters) of tube combinations. Output impedance can range from ~6-8 ohm all the way upwards of 100 ohm - and anywhere in-between by running different tube combinations. Feel like ultimate high-fidelity, maximum clarity, and technical performance? Switch to “Blue Halo” output stage, enable CCS bias, and run extremely linear tubes. Feel like maximum warmth/decay/lushness (while still having a solid foundation of technicalities)? Switch to “Blue Halo+” output stage, turn on resistor bias, and run some higher distortion tubes. Or anywhere in-between…There are very few combinations I’ve heard that aren’t enjoyable, which makes tube rolling a continuous adventure. This amp can cater to any mood.

The Blue Halo+ has truly scaled up with better source gear. With the Yggy+ MIB, I believe the technical performance is at least par with the DSHA-3FN - if not exceeding it. The additional desirable qualities of tubes (more holographic staging, euphonic even-order harmonic distortion, etc) make the experience truly out of this world.

At risk of sounding hyperbolic, I truly believe this will be a Buy-It-For-Life headphone amp for my ZMF headphones (I made sure to get long-life caps that should last >30 years before needing to be replaced). I listen to it almost daily and it brings me immense joy.

The DSHA-3FN has become my “reference” SS amp. It’s simply awesome with all of my ZMF headphones. It happens to have IDENTICAL tonality to the Blue Halo+, with slightly more energetic edge and the typical things you’d expect from an SS amp. For almost every tube roll in the BH+, I’ll swap back to the DSHA-3FN as a reference to get a feel for how the tubes/amp config are influencing the sound. For quick sessions or when I don’t feel like firing up the tube amp, the DSHA-3FN never lets me down with any of the ZMF’s.

I rarely fire up the Bottlehead Crack, but I will never bring myself to get rid of it. Eventually I plan to set it up in a secondary listening station with the BHC + Aeolus. They will always be a matching pair as they both are made from Ziricote wood and finished with the same semi-gloss lacquer.

[Nephilim_81]

Yeah this is terrific. I’ve kind of gone about the same way you have where by getting a couple of really good amps really solidifies and becomes the backbone or heart of your system. You’ve done really well and it seems you’ve established a nice synergy and difference with your amps being the driving force. My only suggestion and to make a bit more use out of your bottle head crack amp, is to get a pre amp if none of your current amps have one. I’d get a solid state one and hook it up to the “Crack.” You’ll breed more difference and excitement. I’m like you. I’m building a system for keeps. I’m almost done.
Anyhow. Let me know what you think?

Great system though. That 1101 looks like the real deal.

[chrisnyc75]

I really love your VC! Gorgeous.

[raindownthunda]

@Nephilim_81

My only suggestion and to make a bit more use out of your bottle head crack amp, is to get a pre amp if none of your current amps have one. I’d get a solid state one and hook it up to the “Crack.” You’ll breed more difference and excitement.

Does that look like DAC → Pre-amp → BHC → Headphones? I’m not too familiar with pre-amps and how they are meant to be used / what the benefits are. Sounds intriguing, and my Crack has been awfully cold this winter

@Nephilim_81

Great system though. That 1101 looks like the real deal.

Thank you! I had such a tremendously positive experience working with Mischa @ 1101 Audio on the build, and couldn’t be happier with the end-result, so I feel compelled to spread the word and share impressions. I just wish more people had access to their amps! I hope to bring the Blue Halo+ to a Seattle meet some day.

[robson]

@raindownthunda

I hope to bring the Blue Halo+ to a Seattle meet some day.

That would be great!

I’m also in the Seattle area, I’d be interested in having a local meet. I could bring my DSHA-3FN if you don’t bring yours, and a VO, AO, or Eikon Classic depending on interest. Or Utopia 2020.

If you or any other locals have an interest keep me in the loop.

[Nephilim_81]

You are gonna make a lot of people in Seattle very happy. You’ll definitely bring the rain there.

[JohanE]

[Lothar_Wolf]

A very balanced combination, and normally, honestly, completely sufficient.

But I don’t think anyone here is really “normal” when it comes to hi-fidelity, the tendency towards excessiveness has already affected almost everyone here.

🫨🤣

Some people just parked a C-Class Mercedes on the shelf.

What's in the box!

As they say… I did a thing today. Well… it’s more like eh f-k it LOL YOLO… [IMG_4100] [IMG_4114]

Or have an unconventional room decoration:

[robson]

It’s very reassuring to know that someone has more headphones than I do! What is that, like 50 meters of headphones?

Happy Lampi Day!

[Lothar_Wolf]

@robson

What is that, like 50 meters of headphones?

This is how we do things in Germany, we don’t buy our products by the number of pieces, but in lengths by the meter.

[generic]

But hey, the Belgians have quacking beer glasses.

[Torq]

Bleh …

Despite being a metric stronghold, in the UK we drink our ale by the yard …

Pints are for … well, you get the idea …

[Lothar_Wolf]

@Torq

Pints are for … well, you get the idea …

[Bookbear]

[robson]

Current Setup:

Not pictured: Aeolus (Sapele), Modhouse Argon Mk 2, DCA Aeon RT open. From earlier in the journey…

[Lothar_Wolf]

Nice collection!

You seem to be a proven ZMF fan, then the Caldera will probably be part of your portfolio at some point.

Somehow I don’t really warm up to Focal, they have absolute qualities from a technical point of view, but the sound isn’t really natural for me, for whatever reason.

In addition, the comfort is not there for me; even when fully extended, the headphones are simply too small.

Since I got the Aune Amp, I’ve slowly learned to appreciate the sound qualities of Hifiman headphones, somehow it fits together. And these Shaped Cups are super comfortable to me.

[Lothar_Wolf]

By the way:

Luring at it‘s finest

Vampire style

[ktc]

The Caldera is definitely a good combination of technical qualities and musicality/voicing.
In some ways, ZMF reminds me of the old Serblin-era Sonus Faber. Very very musical and involving, but not the last word in details/transparency/staging/frequency-extension, etc., but definitely good enough for me.

I need to try the Utopia, but the Susvara and Abyss didn’t do it for my tastes…

ps. Disclaimer, I didn’t claim to have good tastes…

[Bookbear]

Yes on the comfort. Focal headphones, regardless of their musical presentation, seem to be designed for people with small heads and small ears. Both HiFiMan and Dan Clark Audio seems to have had larger folk in mind. Both have really comfy product… oval (egg shaped) ear cups and very comfy ear pads.

[generic]

I do not concur, and I have a large head and large ears. Clampy 6 series Sennheisers feel very small. I had to bend out the yokes on my old HiFiMan. My Dan Clark feels about about the same size as Focal, but has softer pads.