Received my Aeolus a couple of weeks ago. Waited 10 weeks and it was listed in QC and finishing for 3 weeks, even though it mentions that it could take up to “7” days. Be patient, it is well worth the wait. I have a VC on order and am at the 10 week point.
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Once you start with one you can’t stop at one 
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This is so true! They are all so unique sounding, and beautiful. The Aeolus was the “gateway drug”, for me.
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My Aeolus was shipped today! It took just over 9 weeks.
The status was still assembly but of course I’m not going to complain about it 
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You will just have to do the final assembly yourself.
J/K 
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FYI as a really hard choice I have to make due to life circumstances:
To those that have the ROOMS audio headphone stand, do I get the one with a longer headband base for ZMFs?
Hello everybody! It is my first post in the forum, so I take this message to greet everyone and introduce myself.
I am from Spain, well, from Mallorca, a small island in the Mediterranean and my possibility of trying headphones is very very limited. I have been reading you, because I want to build a system, and at least for the moment, what I have in mind is to buy a VC and with time, perhaps an Aeolus.
Do you find it a good combo? Or would you go for another headset? I listen to all kinds of music, but if I’m looking for a warm, intimate, romantic sound … Does Aeolus give that kind of sound?
Thanks!!!
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Hey @Heyoka, welcome to the forum!
By good combo do you mean is it worth owning both? To that I would say yes; both the VC and Aeolus are different sounding enough that it would warrant owning both if you have the budget…
As for other good combos of headphones, generally you’d like to go for one planar and one dynamic to get entirely different presentations. I, for one, prefer dynamic headphones so that’s what I have and want the most.
Yes, for sure the Aeolus gives you all that and that’s how I would describe it as well. Comparing it with the VC, the Aeolus has more tonal weight to the mids and more of a mid-bass boost I would say. Alternatively, the VC is more engaging, dynamic, wide, and detailed.
You mentioned buying a VC first but I would recommend starting with the Aeolus first as I think that would suit your preferences a little more. The Aeolus, I think, is a safer option than the VC in terms of appealing to a wider audience. In addition, it would be best to invest in a very good amp (preferably tubes) for ZMF headphones to make them really sing! It’s possible you might not enjoy them cheating out on your amplifier. I’m not experienced with tube amplifiers so maybe someone can chime in or there should be recommendations from this thread or other threads such as this. I’m assuming you have nothing to drive them since you mentioned your intent to build a system. Alternatively, the DAC is really important to get right as well. However, I don’t think it is as important if you are budget conscious. So, if you can afford a really nice DAC go for it. Otherwise, I wouldn’t worry too much about the DAC until further down the road.
Hope that was somewhat useful to you and enjoy your time here in the forum! Feel free to ask more questions; lot of helpful people around here.
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Re the DAC, how well do you think the RME ADI-2 would pair with Aeolus? Also how well when paired with the Schiit Bifrost MultiBit? Thanks…Lee
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I think it pairs fine…RME is pretty neutral sounding so it just kind of gets out of the way but if I had to describe it, the RME is a bit sharp and flat sounding but still engaging. It’s probably not the best DAC to pair with the Aeolus synergistically but it’s not bad by any stretch. Looking at the analyzer while listening to music makes me forget all about it tho!
As for the Bifrost, I’ve never owned one but there are many people here that use it…you can probably find some impressions on the Bifrost thread…
Thank you very much for your answer!!
Yes, I think I’ll buy the Aeolus first. The idea of acquiring the VCs first is because sometimes my area is a bit noisy, but I am more attracted to the description of the Ae than the VC
The second part of the chain, as you say, is choosing amp. I’ve read a lot of good things about the Pendant, but it would be my first tube amp and it worries me a bit. I’ll keep reading and learning about this type of amp to see if I dare in the end!
Thanks!!!
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I have an Aeolus on order and in anticipation of it bought the ampsandsound Kenzie Ovation (also on order), after a long talk with Justin at the company (which manufactures the Pendant). But the Pendant looks to be a winner, too.
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Welcome @Heyoka
I have two ZMF Aeolus and two Amps and Sound Kenzies (Kenzie/Encore). They pair well. The Kenzies use inexpensive tubes. Dual 1626 output, and single 12SL7 input. Solid state rectifier. I have a good headphone collection and the only headphone I utilize with another amp is my HiFiMan HE-6se due to output power requirements. There are some tube rolling options, but mostly on the input tube.
Ampsandsound amps are well made and come in a variety of configurations The Kenzies are on entry level side of ampsandsound (Ovation being the exception), but sound excellent, and are well crafted. Hard to go wrong with anything in their lineup. You see used ones from time to time as well on this forum marketplace.
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@Heyoka, if you do decide to get a Pendant, then consider bundling it with your Aeolus purchase to save some money. The Pendant comes up as an option after you click on “Add To Cart” for the Aeolus. ZMF is offering $100 off the price of the OG and $200 off the SE. Personally, I think think the OG is fantastic value.
Ampsandsound (aka Justin) makes great amps that have synergy with ZMF headphones. I have the Pendant OG and the Nautilus, driving my Aeolus and Verite Open.
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Thank you all for the answers and help !!! I have also been considering buying a Chord Hugo TT2 and using it as an Amp / Dac combo, there is a Spanish website that has a good discount for the TT2, but I don’t know how it would work with the Aeolus and the type of sound I am looking for. I’m going to start looking for information these days to see what I find.
Thanks!!!
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I have a Tt2 and a zmf autuer. It’s a very capable solid state headphone amplifier. The big time zmf aficionados here love them with tube amps, I’ve not heard a tube amp good enough to feel I am qualified to an opinion on that yet.
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Well, in the future I can always just use it as a Dac and look for a tube or other amp, right?
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Yup! Pretty sure @TylersEclectic uses one to feed his harem of amplifiers.
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For what it’s worth, I like all my ZMFs with the TT2, both directly and as a DAC to my tube amp. I had the Hugo 2 before it, and it’s definitely a step up in detail and soundstage, though like everything at this level a huge cost increase for a moderate improvement.
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