Very very nicee… 
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It’s been a few weeks since I received my VC’s from @RatRage, and though I still have a lot of listening to do I’m ready to share a few thoughts on the VC vs. the VO.
Key Learnings: VO vs. VC
- Burn-in is REAL. I received them with ~100 hrs. of listening time on them and made some notes prior to my additional burn-in period. The Universe pads were installed; I left the Auteur pads in the box.
- In this state and to my ears, the VC’s low- and sub-bass substantially overwhelmed the midrange - and particularly vocals. If this was the final state I probably wouldn’t want to keep them.
- I burned in the headphones for about 120 additional hours, and though that finished last week I just now listened to them this evening. So at about 220 hours, the bass and mid-range has become much more balanced. With my amp at the same volume and switching between the VO and the VC, the mids/highs sound quite similar while the bass in the VC is less present than it was pre-burn-in. It’s still substantially more “forward” than the VC, but at a much more tolerable level. My one sentence summary of VO vs. VC with Universe pads: VC sounds like a VO with the bass cranked up. This might be a great configuration for you @Dynamic!
- Pads make more of a difference on the VC than they do on the VO. I tried 3 different pads on the VO and while there was a difference, it wasn’t substantial - at least to my ears (I know others have had different experiences here).
- When I finally swapped the Universe pads with Auteurs on the VC, there was a significant re-balancing of the sound. The bass dropped back even further, and the VC’s sounded much more like the VO’s. Like I said initially, I have a lot more listening to do to pin this down, but with this configuration - VC + Auteur pads - I feel like I’m hearing the a very similar sound between the two headphones.
- @RatRage mentioned that he heard the hybrid Auteur pads tend even more neutral, so I might give those a shot at some point. I love the suede Universe pads on my VO’s (super comfy!) so maybe this would be the icing on the cake.
Bonus learning: To test different pads on ZMF headphones, turn the earcups away from you and place them on a flat surface. Now detach the pads from the headphones. Set up your other pads in the same configuration - ear-side down and L and R next to each other. To listen, using one hand around each earcup, place the earcups onto the pads and grab the pads with your fingertips then put them on your head. The earcups will stay put since they’re clamped in place. To switch earcups, reverse the the process and switch to the other pads. As long as they don’t rotate too much this process seemed to work really well and I could switch quickly between pads.
@Dynamic you had a question about leakage at one point. At my normal listening volume of about 75 dB you can definitely hear sound coming through the VC earcups even though it’s pretty quiet and mostly bassy. Kind of like someone playing music in the next room. If you’re in bed next to your SO they will hear something. Will it bother them? No idea, but it’s not completely silent by any stretch.
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I am working through some IEM tip issues to decide if I am going ZMF or Mest mkii customs. (There are some other things on the short list, but these are the leaders)
This feedback is great! What draws you to ZMF? I can’t remember if you posted any of your history that got you to it.
After a couple of “gateway headphones” (HD6XX, DCA A2C) I decided I wanted to shoot for the moon and get a pair of TOTL’s. I did tons of forum reading and had a few conversations that led me to the Verite Opens. They blew me away and I was hooked. If I had infinite time and money I would have bought one of each high-end headphone and compared them to find the best one for me. Maybe someday post-COVID I’ll be able to listen to some other options, but for now I’m savoring the experience and not looking back.
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If I had infinite time and money, I’m not sure I’d worry too much about my headphones.
Not driving my Aston Martin into a bridge abutment at 100+ with a glovebox full of cocaine would be a concern though.
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Great write up definitely making me second guess my decision of selling but it seems like vo would be more my style. Might have to pick up a pair to try after I sell my utopia and try empyrean.
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The Eagle has landed. My birthday gift (to myself) arrived one month early.
Details: Monkeypod/Aluminum Chassis/Black Rods/Leather Headband & Suede Strap/2K Copper Cable/Wenge Salire Stand
I can’t even bring myself to listen to it yet; it’s just so beautiful to look at. I need to shampoo my hair and wash my body before these heavenly headphones touch any part of me.
It’s everything I hoped for and more, and I haven’t even heard them yet! 
Zach: Thank you so much for all of your help and advice in choosing the options for it. This whole experience is up there with getting your first new car or first bike for Christmas. I’m so happy right now. I’ll write more after the burn-in and after I settle down a bit.
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I did the same ngl…
Make sure you do…I was slightly disappointed at first listen. Congrats on the purchase!
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You guys should wear a tuxedo too!
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Really really nice man. I’m happy for you. I know that “feeling” of course when you get a top of the line piece of equipment in audio. The best! Now wash up!!! Lol.
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Killer looking pair, and welcome to the club! I love the grain on that set, and think those are an amazing example of how good Monkeypod can look.
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I have the same cans. Absolutely love them!
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Just saw this message on the ZMF website for Verite Closed LTD Stabilized:
A NEW BATCH OF 25 SETS WILL BE RELEASED APRIL 30TH AT 6PM CST/11PM UTC
A second batch of 25 will be released on May 14th
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Verite Closed LTD Olive is also up.
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VC also has a new stock wood - Sapele instead of Monkeypod
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my VC is arriving in a couple of weeks,
i have a THX 789 Dac/Amp and im considering upgrading to an RME or Topping DX7 pro. would those upgrades give me any real improvements ?
im moving twice in the next year and have small living space, a DAC+tube amp is a much more inconvenience.
any thoughts ?
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I think those are all in the same ballpark and going for similarish sound. I would suggest keeping your 789 dac/amp and getting a tube or SS class A even though space maybe challenging. For like that RME 1.2k budget as the top end, maybe something like (could throw a BF2 in and still be close to RME money) Jot2, Lyr3, rebel amp, sa-1 for smaller setups and flux labs, Tuba, Quicksilver headphone amp, BHC for larger setups.
At least that is what I am doing. Currently I am running a 789 and I do not feel like it is really doing the VC justice. Taking the approach above, I have a SW51+ coming hopefully next month to try tubes and depending on how that goes, I plan on upgrading tube amps, getting SS class A (rebel amp, flux labs, sa-1) or totl SS like phonitor x.
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I wouldn’t switch to those.
Yes. They are all technical, lean, and analytical amps. They are great for studio production and absolute measurements of performance, but many people find them unpleasant for everyday listening. @breckstar’s recommendations are good.
The 789 is a great microscope for finding the dust and scratches in the music, but was way way way way overhyped when released. I’ve had one since 2018 and it rarely gets used with my nicer headphones (HD-600, Clear, AFC). I find it helps with ‘troubled’ lower-priced headphones, but shifts to being a sharp and painful analytical tool with headphones that have fewer inherent flaws.
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It might help us narrow recommendations down if you could help us understand why those amps are on your short list? What is it about them that attracted you to them?
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ive been eyeing a lyr3, Feliks echo or Valhalla
(im Norwegian, so its nice owning a Valhalla)
thanks for the comprehensive list, ill make sure to check all the compact ones
ill try to read more about lyr3 vs Valhalla 2? does hybrids vs 4 tubes make a difference? ive been trying to find a used Feliks Echo but haven’t been lucky and it’s not travel friendly…
ill get me a smsl su9 maybe if i end up finding a lyr3,
i was strongly considering 2-in-1 for the portability. im leaving Norway and doing one or two internships abroad the coming 12 months. lots of moving and small living spaces. but i guess one more item is ok, one tube on the lyr3 is not so inconvenient neither, but 4 tubes that might break seemed too much to stress about
thanks for your time and tips !
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