microZOTL

Forqueray · « **on:** 4 Aug 2015, 02:18 am »

i will like to read review, impression, of some MicroZOTL owner about this amp? Perhaps also other amp by David Berning... I had no idea whait is the microZOTL sound ? thanks to all

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #1 on:** 8 Aug 2015, 12:18 am »

Well there is two pro reviews links on the builder site,
which I suppose you already read it.
http://davidberning.com/products/microzotl

Forqueray · « **Reply #2 on:** 9 Aug 2015, 02:22 am »

thank you i had already read that... i hope here for a personal testimony about it... best regards to you

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #3 on:** 9 Aug 2015, 12:20 pm »

I have not see a member mention this amp.
These ZOTL are are very esoteric devices.

happyrabbit · « **Reply #4 on:** 9 Aug 2015, 04:04 pm »

http://www.head-fi.org/t/771234/microzotl2-tube-headphone-amp-and-preamp-a-breakthrough-device

http://www.lineartubeaudio.com/microzotl/

I have 98db 4-Ohm speakers... very interesting.

newzooreview · « **Reply #5 on:** 9 Aug 2015, 05:45 pm »

I owned the original MicroZOTL, sold it (it went very quickly), and just got one of the new production versions ( from http://www.urbanhifi.com )

The new one is a bit of an upgrade over the original, but the essentials are the same. Urban HiFi licenses the circuit design from David Berning, uses the parts that Berning specifies, and hand assembles/solders everything in their shop in D.C. I went over there to pick up my MicroZOTL since I live nearby, but otherwise have no affiliation.

The MicroZOTL has a very clean, smoooooth, detailed, spacious, neutral sound. I bought it as a headphone amp (Sennheiser HD650s), but I've put it in my main system as a pre-amp and it worked very very well. It did not outshine my 3x more expensive Red Wine Audio Isabella pre-amp, but it didn't do anything poorly, and would be very competitive in it's price range as a pre-amp. It responds very nicely to tube rolling, and NOS tubes do open up the sound and give more detail to the bass (which is not bloated to begin with; just a matter of degree). The sound is natural and well balanced. Nothing emphasized or rolled off. Pace and rhythm are very good. It's not a tube amp that is looking to add it's own romance. It lets the recording shine through, but it is not analytical, fatiguing, etched, or bleached. Timbre and tone are excellent, and smooth comes to mind again (although in this case smooth and detailed are both achieved: instead of smooth I could say grain-free).

UrbanHiFi told me they are going to be showing the MicroZOTL and one or two other of the Berning amps they've licenses at Capital Audiofest if you're in the D.C. area. I believe they are also working on a more feature-rich pre-amp version of the MicroZOTL which adds remote control and relay-based volume attenuation (rather than the Alps pot they currently use).

I hope that helps.

Addendum: One improvement over the original design is the change to an external power supply. You can easily upgrade the new one to a linear power supply whereas the original version had the switching supply built inside.

Forqueray · « **Reply #6 on:** 9 Aug 2015, 06:28 pm »

thank you very much... yes your testomony is very helpful and straighforward.... best regards
i hope others with experience like you will give me their grain of salt .....

Rusty Jefferson · « **Reply #7 on:** 10 Aug 2015, 05:33 pm »

Quote from: Forqueray on 4 Aug 2015, 02:18 am

i will like to read review, impression, of some MicroZOTL owner about this amp? Perhaps also other amp by David Berning... I had no idea whait is the microZOTL sound ? thanks to all

As well as the new offerings from Linear Tube Audio (MicroZOTL and Zotl 10), David recently did 3 new designs that are in the prototype phase. All are choke loaded, SET amps. A 2 watt per channel available with a volume pot for use as an integrated, a 6 watt per channel 300b, and a 18 watt per channel 845 amp. They all incorporate the new driver stage technology used in his most expensive production amps, the PP 845 monos. None of these SET amps appear on his website, as they aren't in production yet. You can call him to discuss. They are available to purchase in this phase, in simplified cases at a significant discount to when they go into production, though you may have to wait till after bike riding season to get one.

All Dave's ZOTL amps have a similar sound signature. Open, clean, transparent. Extended highs, and lows, unlike transformer coupled amplifiers. They are not "tubey", or colored.

Forqueray · « **Reply #8 on:** 13 Aug 2015, 02:14 am »

thank you rusty jefferson for this interesting information...I look for the microzotl because i needed an headphone amp...this 2 watt dont have an headphone out ....I dreamed about an ultimate upgrade with headphone amp...David Berning design are original and the price for the microzotl is not too high..... I will bet on him ...the forum here is interesting... People are interesting .... i am glad of these information about microzotl...i will wait for others testimonies thanks to you and best regards

Rusty Jefferson · « **Reply #9 on:** 14 Aug 2015, 08:40 am »

I believe the 2 watt per channel amp, with a volume pot is available with a headphone jack. You can contact David to discuss.

viggen · « **Reply #10 on:** 14 Aug 2015, 10:24 pm »

good to know the microzotl is still around although i like the old lunch pail form factor better because of aesthetics.

Forqueray · « **Reply #11 on:** 14 Aug 2015, 11:08 pm »

Quote from: Rusty Jefferson on 14 Aug 2015, 08:40 am

I believe the 2 watt per channel amp, with a volume pot is available with a headphone jack. You can contact David to discuss.

thanks for all your information...

Forqueray · « **Reply #12 on:** 14 Aug 2015, 11:08 pm »

Quote from: viggen on 14 Aug 2015, 10:24 pm

good to know the microzotl is still around although i like the old lunch pail form factor better because of aesthetics.

ca you explain your experience with the Zotl and why you love it?

viggen · « **Reply #13 on:** 20 Aug 2015, 04:29 am »

Quote from: Forqueray on 14 Aug 2015, 11:08 pm

ca you explain your experience with the Zotl and why you love it?

i never owned or used one before but was tempted to get one. i just prefer the older look than the current one.

Forqueray · « **Reply #14 on:** 20 Aug 2015, 11:19 pm »

ok ... i must say i prefer the new look to the older one loll

best regards to you.....

Forqueray · « **Reply #15 on:** 20 Aug 2015, 11:20 pm »

if someone had experience with the zotl i wish to listen to his impressions...thanks to you unknown reader

mdhoover · « **Reply #16 on:** 6 Sep 2015, 07:10 pm »

Quote from: Forqueray on 20 Aug 2015, 11:20 pm

if someone had experience with the zotl i wish to listen to his impressions...thanks to you unknown reader

What "newzooreview" posted on August 9th describes the sound of the MicroZOTL 2 almost perfectly, IMO. (I have no personal experience with the original MicroZOTL or with Red Wine Audio products--only the MicroZOTL 2.) There's an extensive discussion thread following the review posted on head-fi. I own the MicroZOTL 2 and it's absolutely magical with the HiFiMAN HE-1000 headphones. I said this in my beta tester review of the HE-1000 on head-fi.

lancelock · « **Reply #17 on:** 2 Nov 2015, 02:14 am »

I purchased a Micro ZOTL from Mark at Urban Audio and just wanted to say it is "all of that" and then some. I can't believe how good this little one watt wonder is. I purchased it as a headphone amp but just for kicks I connected to my 93db efficient speakers and there it stays. I also own the Berning ZH230 and the Micro sounds just as good, maybe better? At least with this particular set of speakers.

Servingthemusic.com · « **Reply #18 on:** 2 Nov 2015, 10:59 pm »

Hello folks. I have a review sample in of the MicroZOTL 2.0 for review. It should be live at the end of the month.

Forqueray · « **Reply #19 on:** 5 Nov 2015, 01:54 pm »

Quote from: lancelock on 2 Nov 2015, 02:14 am

I purchased a Micro ZOTL from Mark at Urban Audio and just wanted to say it is "all of that" and then some. I can't believe how good this little one watt wonder is. I purchased it as a headphone amp but just for kicks I connected to my 93db efficient speakers and there it stays. I also own the Berning ZH230 and the Micro sounds just as good, maybe better? At least with this particular set of speakers.

thank you very interesting experience... My interest in this zotl is not decreasing...thanks folk