LTA thread, MZ2 / MZ3 / Z10 / Z40 / Ultralinear

[dB_Cooper]

I was sure I was going to buy the MZ3, so far as in actually making a purchase. However after a visit from the ghost of audio past @NickMimi and then having a long conversation with the ghost of audio future @M0N. I had an epiphany, one component to rule them all. The reason I went for the UL is because it’s both a great HP amp and it’s also serving as a great integrated amp.

So yeah an expensive component but it’s been a great swiss army knife type of component. So yes actually, I’d say that the UL is similar to the HPA-1. That said there’s better out there, you know how this place works. but I bought the UL because my room is small, If I want to listen to my 2 CH system using the HP out while I’m working on my desk, I can. So it didn’t make a lot sense for me to chase an high end system for use on the PC and the level of 2 CH quality I was chasing.

Now some anecdotal ramblings that may or may not mean anything to you but in case they do. lol

When I used the Weiss on the HPA-1 it was almost too much, I was blinded by detail I believe I’m a little treble sensitive but the combination of the HPA-1, the Weiss and the D8KP was a lot of detail to handle, and I couldn’t use it for long term listening. I don’t think any of the three components are that way on their own, but when strung together it wasn’t for me. The reason I wound up parting with the HPA-1 which I regret doing.

The Mojo EVO or I’m sure your X would have been a different story in that chain and frankly I would have stopped there. I don’t know all of the cans that pair well with the Pass but it’s reputation is well earned and it’s also a very competent pre. (The Burson is also a very competent pre IMO)

I don’t hate the Burson BTW, I think it’s an amp that punches above it’s weight by quite a margin for it’s price. It’s just that there are better out there for the price range, and the Bryston BHA-1 is one of those that are better for the same price. Actually the Bryston gives the Pass a run for the money at half the cost.

It also occurred to me that when LTA was showing off their new DAC, the two amps they had it connected to were the UL and their new Electrostatic HP amp. That probably says everything you need to know about where they stand.

I keep convincing myself that the BF2, RNHP and the Clear I’ve currently plugged into it is more than enough. I’m convincing myself because the alternative is throwing $5K more at a stack that for me is just not necessary given that I can use my UL that’s sitting six feet away from my desk.

So to summarize, for me, an LTA UL+ left me with a very broad multipurpose tool that pushed me much farther up the audio game than if had I purchased just the MZ3 as a HP amp as I was going to originally. It’s at a level where I’m likely not going to move up from (I’m just a handful of years from retirement) as I’'d have to plunk down a substantial amount of money that I’d rather throw into my 401k instead. Maybe my current viewpoint will change, but I’m just in a happy audio place right now, so might as well enjoy it.

[orrman]

The important question to ask here is @PaisleyUnderground do you own speakers or plan to use this amp with some as well? In case you aren’t, I’m not sure the LTA big integrateds make sense.

@dB_Cooper would you buy the UL just for headphones? I doubt it.

[dB_Cooper]

@orrman

@dB_Cooper would you buy the UL just for headphones? I doubt it.

No, but that was my choice. I don’t have the room and this was a means of me getting the most for my $. I am not a HP guy, so I would have stopped at the HPA-1.

[PaisleyUnderground]

Wow, thanks for all the amazing replies everyone.

@orrman

do you own speakers or plan to use this amp with some as well?

I don’t have a dedicated 2 channel listening room, so I’m either listening to headphones or to powered monitors on my desk. The combination of the Mystique X DAC and MZ3 as preamp has transformed the sound of my Emotiva monitors (you know that feeling when you thought you were in a good situation, and then you’re completely blindsided by the discovery that there are several levels of audio happiness above yours?) so I’ve ordered Omega Super 3 High Output Monitors. They will be driven by the MZ3, but I have that niggling question in the back of mind, wondering if having a few more watts would be better. I won’t know this until the speakers arrive in March.

I don’t need room-filling sound, as this is a desktop/nearfield situation, but if the Omegas need more power, then I would either need a power amp or switch the MZ3 to a bigger LTA integrated. If the MZ3 is fine, then I don’t have a compelling reason to get a bigger LTA, other than curiosity/lust.

@dB_Cooper

the Bryston BHA-1 is one of those that are better for the same price.

I forgot to mention before that I was lucky enough to have the Bryston on loan too. I agree that it’s an excellent amp that I liked a lot, but like the other amps in my list, it wasn’t so much better (my preferences, my system) that I would have bought one as an upgrade to the Burson, whereas the Pass hit the spot for me.

@dB_Cooper

the combination of the HPA-1, the Weiss and the D8KP was a lot of detail to handle, and I couldn’t use it for long term listening.

I had a similar experience with the Mystique X, HPA-1 and Caldera using silver DHC Molecule Elite cable, which was detail overload. Luckily, I stopped myself from putting the HPA-1 back in its box, tried different cables, and fell in love with the amp.

@ValentineLuke

My thinking is MZ3 for efficient dynamics, and the HPA-1 can do dynamic and planars.

I’m not planning to buy any more headphones (famous last words LOL) and I’ve found the MZ3 is actually really good with my easy to drive planars (Caldera and RAD-0). But yes, I agree that the HPA-1 would give me not just a different flavor, but also a little extra “oomph” when I need it.

So it will all depend on how the MZ3 drives my upcoming Omegas. If it sounds great, I can save a few thousand dollars and get an HPA-1.

[ericg]

@PaisleyUnderground

wondering if having a few more watts would be better.

I was driving a Zu DW off an MZ2 for a good year. For how I listen, usually low volumes, it was amazing.

However, I had an opportunity to upgrade to the Z10i and took the plunge. To answer your question, a few more watts did make a difference to me. It added more weight at the same listening volumes. Z10i took what I loved about the MZ2 and just elevated everything to the next level.

[orrman]

@PaisleyUnderground

so I’m either listening to headphones or to powered monitors on my desk.

I do that as well with my powered monitors and obviously it’s great lol

@PaisleyUnderground

Omega Super 3 High Output Monitors. They will be driven by the MZ3, but I have that niggling question in the back of mind, wondering if having a few more watts would be better

On paper it’s definitely borderline, Omega recommends 2w for the 6ohm speakers and you have 1w at 4ohm but it also depends how and what you’re used to listening. I always look for @NickMimi to give me his $0.02 on if it’ll work.

And here’s one for you

Pass Labs HPA-1 Headphone Amplifier / Prea... For Sale | Audiogon

[PaisleyUnderground]

@orrman

On paper it’s definitely borderline, Omega recommends 2w for the 6ohm speakers and you have 1w at 4ohm but it also depends how and what you’re used to listening.

I emailed back and forth with both Omega and LTA before ordering the speakers and they both said it would probably be OK for desktop use, since I’m not trying to fill the room. They both use each other’s equipment for testing, and Louis said that he has successfully used an MZ3 with the High Output Monitors, but as you say, their OK might not be my OK. Fingers crossed.

[orrman]

I actually doubt you’ll need more. Might need a sub though

[bpcarb]

For desktop use, I’d start with a sub also per @orrman and try 5751 or 12AX7 input tubes and increased DAC output voltage to see if that pleases before trying another amp.

[NickMimi]

The Mz3 will push 1 good watt at 4 ohm. The power lessens if the Ohms drop, so we are talking 1/2 watt at 8 ohms.
I have used it with success with my Klipsch Heresey speakers and my Omegas but absolutely had to have my sub connected to add weight which fortunately the MZ3 can also accommodate. Its a damned versatile little beast of an amp.
If you are nearfield in a small controlled space that is quiet you will get satisfaction at the quality of the musical output. Some loss in dynamics and if you push it hard you will clip/distort so don’t.

[orrman]

GR-Research NX-Treme and LTA Z40+ Listening Impressions!

[Christof]

My LTA microzotl preamp arrived after about a two months wait.

Just getting used to the sound and will add some impressions later. Build and functionality of all the buttons and the volume control is very nice though.

[ValentineLuke]

Sweet! Looking forward to your impressions.

[EstrangedBaron]

Nice volume level lol. Will be looking forward to your thoughts and impressions as well.

[Souldriver]

@EstrangedBaron

volume level

Nice!

[dB_Cooper]

Oooh and a naked pic pretty please. I’ve not seen what they look like inside!

[dB_Cooper]

I don’t know, at what point does one stop? Where is good enough. All I can say is that I paid about $185 dollars on a pair of OPamps just to try it, because.

It sounds better, it just sounds better and I don’t know enough about the amp’s design or electronic circuitry to say why. The OPamps are in the preamp section of the UL+, that’s all I know. The included pics may help some of you to ascertain a little better what it is they’re doing there but after a day’s worth of listening, the center image is more tangible, there’s an improved tightness across the whole spectrum and instrument separation is just insane given that I’m using a full range driver. When I plugged in the D8KP it was even more noticeable of an improvement.

Je ne sais pas.

EDIT: just a thought that I want to throw in here. I do these things because 1) I’m just curious 2) I don’t know any better. IMO it’s a hobby and why not try things out to see what happens. I know enough not to blow shit up and I practice very safe equipment handling because spent years doing component level board repairs on cell phones back in the day. I didn’t know what I was doing then either, but I was able to put a board on a test rig and see if it was in or out of spec and I had guides that pretty much told you what to replace if you took steps one through ten and you got result X, Y or Z. So I was just following direction.

I don’t know much about actual electronics beyond the theory. So getting back to the hobby, I thew away the other day 65 dollars playing poker, why not try these OPamps out? What I do know is that given their popularity I would have been able to sell them and recoup at least 100 bucks out of them. You take a chance because you just want to try it out.

I remember buying a LPS a year or more ago for a Hagerman Tuba. No one here had actually tried an LPS on the Tuba mostly because they thought it wouldn’t make a lick of difference. I bought a 15V LPS just to try it and you know what? They were right, it didn’t make a lick of difference. I’m using that 15V LPS today to power my NUC and the Tuba is long gone for the same price I paid for it. Like I said, it’s a hobby, try shit. I get enjoyment out of the gear not just the music.

And we never have to apologize for liking gear!

[NickMimi]

That was pretty cool, don’t apologize for trying things out with your toys keep at it I’ve seen Pictures of much crazier stuff DIY guys try and swear by….

[Christof]

[dB_Cooper]

Thank you! There are some components in there that are bespoke to the preamp. Hadn’t seen them in any of their integrated offerings. Cool.