# Linear Tube Audio MicroZOTL MZ3 Headphone Amp/Pre Amp/Integrated Amp **URL:** \ **Category:** DACs and Digital\ **Tags:** tube, microzotl\ **Created:** [July 18, 2020, 2:20am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/linear-tube-audio-microzotl-mz3-headphone-amp-pre-amp-integrated-amp/7541 "2020-07-18T02:20:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ValentineLuke](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/valentineluke/32/9729_2.png) [@ValentineLuke](https://forum.headphones.com/u/ValentineLuke)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2020, 2:20am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/linear-tube-audio-microzotl-mz3-headphone-amp-pre-amp-integrated-amp/7541/1 "2020-07-18T02:20:30Z")
This is the place to discuss the Linear Tube Audio (LTA) MZ3 MicroZOTL Tube Headphone Amplifier. > **[microZOTL MZ3 Headphone Amp / Preamp / Integrated Amp - Vacuum Tube Headphone...](https://www.lineartubeaudio.com/products/microzotl-mz3)** > > Small and mighty. The highest expression of the patented microZOTL technology as a headphone amplifier, a preamplifier, and integrated amplifier in a desktop-sized package. ---
**Author:** ![Roark](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/roark/32/9724_2.png) [@Roark](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Roark)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2020, 3:35am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/linear-tube-audio-microzotl-mz3-headphone-amp-pre-amp-integrated-amp/7541/2 "2020-07-18T03:35:49Z")
Now hopefully we get some juicy subjective shares about this black box! I’m afraid my contribution will only be reading this thread, as it’s a significant investment for this year’s audio budget. ---
**Author:** ![ValentineLuke](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/valentineluke/32/9729_2.png) [@ValentineLuke](https://forum.headphones.com/u/ValentineLuke)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2020, 4:23am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/linear-tube-audio-microzotl-mz3-headphone-amp-pre-amp-integrated-amp/7541/3 "2020-07-18T04:23:32Z")
We have a community member that just received one. I just created the thread so he can post whenever he’s ready. 👍🏽 ---
**Author:** ![Roark](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/roark/32/9724_2.png) [@Roark](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Roark)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2020, 4:59am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/linear-tube-audio-microzotl-mz3-headphone-amp-pre-amp-integrated-amp/7541/4 "2020-07-18T04:59:55Z")
If it is who I think it is, that is awesome! ---
**Author:** ![bpcarb](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/bpcarb/32/16496_2.png) [@bpcarb](https://forum.headphones.com/u/bpcarb)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2020, 2:36am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/linear-tube-audio-microzotl-mz3-headphone-amp-pre-amp-integrated-amp/7541/5 "2020-07-22T02:36:34Z")
🍿 I’m especially interested in how the MZ3 compares to the MZ2. ---
**Author:** ![Rhodey](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/rhodey/32/63535_2.png) [@Rhodey](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Rhodey)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2020, 3:04am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/linear-tube-audio-microzotl-mz3-headphone-amp-pre-amp-integrated-amp/7541/6 "2020-08-08T03:04:27Z")
Haven’t had a ton of time with the MZ3 due to work and being out of town not long after I received it, but I’m really enjoying this amp. It really does seem like the best of both worlds, tube and ss. Really like the Verite off it and the Stellia, which surprised me. ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/headphones/original/2X/8/81da22b87d2321b34ac188b82496f62d9207e502.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![ValentineLuke](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/valentineluke/32/9729_2.png) [@ValentineLuke](https://forum.headphones.com/u/ValentineLuke)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2020, 3:06am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/linear-tube-audio-microzotl-mz3-headphone-amp-pre-amp-integrated-amp/7541/7 "2020-08-08T03:06:26Z")
Very nice! That dot matrix display… 😍 ---
**Author:** ![Rhodey](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/rhodey/32/63535_2.png) [@Rhodey](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Rhodey)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2020, 3:09am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/linear-tube-audio-microzotl-mz3-headphone-amp-pre-amp-integrated-amp/7541/8 "2020-08-08T03:09:00Z")
And a fancy apple remote when you’re just too lazy to sit up to adjust the volume lol. ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/headphones/original/2X/b/b2ba2bd3c9c7ccdc64b8368706505db4d058a120.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Roark](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/roark/32/9724_2.png) [@Roark](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Roark)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2020, 4:02am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/linear-tube-audio-microzotl-mz3-headphone-amp-pre-amp-integrated-amp/7541/9 "2020-08-08T04:02:07Z")
Congratulations @Rhodey 🍾 very happy for you. I recently had a demo with a DNA amp, after having it for 2 weeks I ordered the Stratus. I’ll have it by 2021… Seriously, awesome pick up. Looking forward to reading your impressions. ---
**Author:** ![Rhodey](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/rhodey/32/63535_2.png) [@Rhodey](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Rhodey)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2020, 4:09am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/linear-tube-audio-microzotl-mz3-headphone-amp-pre-amp-integrated-amp/7541/10 "2020-08-08T04:09:25Z")
Thanks and congrats to you! I’ll eventually add some impressions but it’s hard to compare without listening to other totl amps. This thing is just good and I’m relieved haha. ---
**Author:** ![mshenay](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/mshenay/32/47271_2.png) [@mshenay](https://forum.headphones.com/u/mshenay)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2020, 4:19am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/linear-tube-audio-microzotl-mz3-headphone-amp-pre-amp-integrated-amp/7541/11 "2020-08-08T04:19:50Z")
I spent a LOT of time with the MicroZOTL stuff at last years Axpona, both before and after the shows. The guys were super gracious about letting me have a rather extensive listen What stuck out to me about MZ2 vs MZ3 was… tactility. MZ2 just struck as me too soft, where as MZ3 had some texture without sounding overly aggressive or “fake” Mz2 is/was too soft for my tastes, it always sounded like it smooothed everything over [and this is with AGGRESSIVE sounding dynamic headphones] Good to see we have an owner here too! ---
**Author:** ![bpcarb](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/bpcarb/32/16496_2.png) [@bpcarb](https://forum.headphones.com/u/bpcarb)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2020, 4:29am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/linear-tube-audio-microzotl-mz3-headphone-amp-pre-amp-integrated-amp/7541/12 "2020-08-08T04:29:32Z")
That’s awesome that you were able to have an extensive listen. Helpful impressions, thanks. That’s too bad about the MZ2. Do you recall if you tried the MZ2 with both the standard power supply and $700 extra linear power supply? It’s a bit odd to me that the price gap between the 2 and 3 is $1300 vs $3700, relatively wide. I guess that gap showed up in your listening session. And yes awesome to have an owner among us! ---
**Author:** ![mshenay](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/mshenay/32/47271_2.png) [@mshenay](https://forum.headphones.com/u/mshenay)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2020, 4:35am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/linear-tube-audio-microzotl-mz3-headphone-amp-pre-amp-integrated-amp/7541/13 "2020-08-08T04:35:46Z")
First year I heard it was with stock PSU, second time which was last year was with the upgrade I believe. I can’t say what difference it made as my overall impression still stood ---
**Author:** ![bpcarb](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/bpcarb/32/16496_2.png) [@bpcarb](https://forum.headphones.com/u/bpcarb)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2020, 4:38am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/linear-tube-audio-microzotl-mz3-headphone-amp-pre-amp-integrated-amp/7541/14 "2020-08-08T04:38:26Z")
Copy that, thanks. The 3 is an appealing unit with its headphone, preamp and speaker capabilities. ---
**Author:** ![TylersEclectic](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/tylerseclectic/32/8751_2.png) [@TylersEclectic](https://forum.headphones.com/u/TylersEclectic)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2020, 10:43pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/linear-tube-audio-microzotl-mz3-headphone-amp-pre-amp-integrated-amp/7541/15 "2020-08-08T22:43:02Z")
I want to play with one of these so bad! It is lovely looking! Plus I like the size of it! ---
**Author:** ![ValentineLuke](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/valentineluke/32/9729_2.png) [@ValentineLuke](https://forum.headphones.com/u/ValentineLuke)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2020, 11:05pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/linear-tube-audio-microzotl-mz3-headphone-amp-pre-amp-integrated-amp/7541/16 "2020-08-08T23:05:12Z")
I’m half way there. I’ve already got that remote. 👍🏽😉 ---
**Author:** ![Rhodey](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/rhodey/32/63535_2.png) [@Rhodey](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Rhodey)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2020, 11:34pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/linear-tube-audio-microzotl-mz3-headphone-amp-pre-amp-integrated-amp/7541/17 "2020-08-08T23:34:25Z")
Thanks. The smaller footprint was definitely a selling point for me. ---
**Author:** ![Twinski](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/twinski/32/19105_2.png) [@Twinski](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Twinski)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2020, 3:19am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/linear-tube-audio-microzotl-mz3-headphone-amp-pre-amp-integrated-amp/7541/18 "2020-11-11T03:19:10Z")
This preamp/amp/headphone amp is a reasonable value given what it would cost to buy 3 separate components of equal quality. It ages organically into a legacy piece of audio equipment that requires no real need for upgrade. I have it paired with Omega Super 3 HO monitors. It is an addictive listen at near field or at a late night distance from the couch. I have an Aegir amp to boost signal throughout but honestly…1 watt is all one would need when paired with speakers rated above 97 db efficiency. I am constantly astonished by the sound quality…it renders music, including digital sources, in a startling way. Ex. Sounds like vinyl without any of the mechanical drawbacks. I have no cons from ownership. ---
**Author:** ![bigshel99](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/bigshel99/32/5807_2.png) [@bigshel99](https://forum.headphones.com/u/bigshel99)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2020, 4:06pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/linear-tube-audio-microzotl-mz3-headphone-amp-pre-amp-integrated-amp/7541/19 "2020-11-11T16:06:43Z")
reminds me I need to go try one of these. maybe I’ll see if they have time this weekend. ---
**Author:** ![cpp](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/cpp/32/14979_2.png) [@cpp](https://forum.headphones.com/u/cpp)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2020, 4:17pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/linear-tube-audio-microzotl-mz3-headphone-amp-pre-amp-integrated-amp/7541/20 "2020-11-11T16:17:07Z")
When you add up the upgrades on the MZ2 the price goes up considerably, close to $2200. Of course the 3 " That’s why we use only **premium, name-brand components**. Belleson regulators. Ohno OCC wiring. Vishay Dale resistors. Mundorf caps." LTA makes some nice gear, I’ve been liking my Orchid DAC for a while when I want that hint of warmth. [Next page](https://forum.headphones.com/t/linear-tube-audio-microzotl-mz3-headphone-amp-pre-amp-integrated-amp/7541.md?page=2)