[DannyBadorine]

Great Review and info!  This makes me want to try all of that gear!

[franSSS]

That's such a shame. I am fortunate enough to own one of his Valhalla's and it's such a fantastic amplifier. Don is such a generous man I wonder if he'd be willing to share his "secret sauce" with another amp builder. It would be criminal to have this design not be shared with a larger audience.
David

I must say i was highly tempted to opt for his amp.
1. i thought the heat maybe a bit much this side in Africa. Seems the LTA runs much cooler.
2. In addition the LTA was way easier on the lifespan of the tubes. TUBES can be pricey too
3. The z10 +sapphires + Amber + anticables was often rated as the best in Show. So i did not want to re invent the wheel.

So i may as well stick with the combo and be done with it. And since there is synergy in this package i am not sure if i will have it when i move to another amp. That said i am particular intrigued by the Valhalla.(It also saddens me to some extent when great kit seems to be on the verge of going out of production) If i had the chance to AB the gear i may be in a better position to make an informed decision as to what i would prefer most. But sitting this side of the planet aint going to make it happen.

Would love to hear if any one AB the two amps in the same combo, but i guess chances will be like non existent.

[TomS]

I must say i was highly tempted to opt for his amp.
1. i thought the heat maybe a bit much this side in Africa. Seems the LTA runs much cooler.
2. In addition the LTA was way easier on the lifespan of the tubes. TUBES can be pricey too
3. The z10 +sapphires + Amber + anticables was often rated as the best in Show. So i did not want to re invent the wheel.

So i may as well stick with the combo and be done with it. And since there is synergy in this package i am not sure if i will have it when i move to another amp. That said i am particular intrigued by the Valhalla.(It also saddens me to some extent when great kit seems to be on the verge of going out of production) If i had the chance to AB the gear i may be in a better position to make an informed decision as to what i would prefer most. But sitting this side of the planet aint going to make it happen.

Would love to hear if any one AB the two amps in the same combo, but i guess chances will be like non existent.

I've had both the Valhalla and the LTA separates. The Valhalla is definitely HOT, the LTA just a bit warm.

[franSSS]

I've had both the Valhalla and the LTA separates. The Valhalla is definitely HOT, the LTA just a bit warm.

Is there a marked difference in the sound quality? is the one head and shoulders above the other?

[TomS]

Is there a marked difference in the sound quality? is the one head and shoulders above the other?

No, just plus and minus. I found the Valhalla to be a bit more tubey, if that's what you like, and definitely more dynamic, especially mid/low end. The LTA gave more information/detail, which I tend to like better, because once I know it's there, I can't "un-listen" it. They are both top notch for sure. The Modwright 225i gives me all of that (and more) in one box.

[Tyson]

No, just plus and minus. I found the Valhalla to be a bit more tubey, if that's what you like, and definitely more dynamic, especially mid/low end. The LTA gave more information/detail, which I tend to like better, because once I know it's there, I can't "un-listen" it. They are both top notch for sure. The Modwright 225i gives me all of that (and more) in one box.

That's so interesting.  I've heard the LTA gear several times and  for me they were very detailed but a touch dry sounding.  My preference was for the meatier Don Sachs sound, and I ended up building out a custom amp based on Don's design.  I call it my 'mini-Kootenay' because it uses the same internal circuit and parts, but was adapted to be able to run 6L6GC/KT66/EL34 tubes instead of KT88's.  Love that amp.

[geerock]

Tyson
I love that idea.  Not sure there ever was a sweeter audio tube than the el34.  As for dry sounding.....not sure what LTA you listened to.  Maybe the ZOTL10?  I will tell you this, the Ultralinear, and the Reference 40 Plus are heads and tails above the 10.   And, of course, the NOS EL34 tubes in the Reference Plus combined with the Don Sachs all in we6sn7 plus preamp is what I've been enjoying.  I get the detail and that sweet tube midrange along with that 3D and huge soundstage.  It made me stop looking for equipment.....at least for a while.  ; )

[abomwell]

I will tell you this, the Ultralinear, and the Reference 40 Plus are heads and tails above the ZOTL10.

Geerock, in what ways did you find the Ultralinear and Reference Plus 40 an improvement over the ZOTL10?

Thanks!
Al

[glfrancis]

Has anyone found a benefit to mixing another brand (tube) preamp with an LTA amp? Which ones have you tried and what was the result?

[schw06]

That's so interesting.  I've heard the LTA gear several times and  for me they were very detailed but a touch dry sounding.  My preference was for the meatier Don Sachs sound, and I ended up building out a custom amp based on Don's design.  I call it my 'mini-Kootenay' because it uses the same internal circuit and parts, but was adapted to be able to run 6L6GC/KT66/EL34 tubes instead of KT88's.  Love that amp.

Exactly the same for me. I have owned the LTA Zotl10MKII and ZOTL40MKII and prefer the meatier sound of Sachs. Both great stuff but different enough that you should be able to choose based on Tom and Tyson's descriptions. No right or wrong but the ZOTL sounded a little more solid state/detail focused/clean/spotlit and the Sachs having a more dense/meaty/saturated sound. It's whatever you prefer.

[jjss49]

lots of overtly tubey sounding tube amps out there

the lta zotl 40 ref is special, and relatively unique imho, in its utter transparency along with the best of tube influenced soundstaging

(i made a few important edits to my post above, which tyson quoted in its original, too-quickly-typed form  )

[Tyson]

lots of overtly sounding tube amps out there

the lta zotl 40 ref is special, and relatively unique imho, in its utter transparency along with tube based soundstaging

They remind me quite a bit of the better OTL amps from Atmosphere.  But with way fewer tubes, of course.

[franSSS]

No, just plus and minus. I found the Valhalla to be a bit more tubey, if that's what you like, and definitely more dynamic, especially mid/low end. The LTA gave more information/detail, which I tend to like better, because once I know it's there, I can't "un-listen" it. They are both top notch for sure. The Modwright 225i gives me all of that (and more) in one box.

Thank you for the feedback. The 225i sounds really nice in the write ups as well.  O well I paid for the Z10, So i will stick with it. i cant miss what i did not hear? Or can i?

[geerock]

Geerock, in what ways did you find the Ultralinear and Reference Plus 40 an improvement over the ZOTL10?

Thanks!
Al

Don't get me wrong.  The 10 is a great amp and a giant killer at that price.  But all the components in the 40's are better quality and it's a different build with different tubes.  It's no secret I have an affinity for the EL34's and those Mullards are some of the best.  I was able to AB the 10 and 40 right in my home and the difference is obvious and immediate.  Just more meat on the bone.  The 3D feel of the music kind of surrounded you.  The detail and accuracy of the instruments like piano, acoustic string instruments, and horns was more lifelike. And I was able to get the plus model which has even more extra goodies included in the build.  And maybe the pairing with Don Sachs pre didn't hurt either.  Now... considering the price difference you may opt out of the 40 models.  Like I said, the 10's are just killer pieces and it was a great move by LTA to get license from David Berning to use his design.  But when I was able to hear the two models side by side I just said screw it.  It's worth it to me. 

[abomwell]

Thanks very much, Geerock. Very helpful information! Since I already have the ZOTL10, after the X5's break-in, I could order the 40 on their trial period and compare the two. If I hear what you hear I can sell the 10 and keep the 40. Does anyone know if LTA has a trade-up program?

Al

[newzooreview]

Thanks very much, Geerock. Very helpful information! Since I already have the ZOTL10, after the X5's break-in, I could order the 40 on their trial period and compare the two. If I hear what you hear I can sell the 10 and keep the 40. Does anyone know if LTA has a trade-up program?

For what it's worth, my impressions from listening to the three LTA amps with the Spatial M3s at LTA are here: https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=177067.0

[Tangram]

OP, thanks for sharing your review. I am a new M3 Sapphire owner, so new that the speakers are still breaking in. I also own Harbeth M30.2 Anniversaries and Magnepan LRS’s, both of which I combine with two SVS SB2000 Pro subs. Our journeys are similar.

I actually made the shift in preference away from the Harbeths when I bought the LRS’s, which then led me to M3s. Honestly, if you get used to the unique Harbeth presentation it is easy to fall in love with them. You focus on what they do well. But what happened was I started to ignore half my record collection, favoring the jazz and acoustic music I own and ignoring the rock music. The same was true with the LRS’s but I loved the spaciousness that an OB speaker has, and the complete lack of the coloration that results from box resonances. With the M3’s, you get the OB openness, but with better (much better) dynamics compared with the Maggies and the option of using a lower-powered amp. But the clincher is the bass, which is a game changer. No need for subs in my medium-sized room. They play very loud with my Pass Labs XA30.5. It is the best bass I have ever experienced.

This is a long way of saying that you should be totally confident in your decision to move from the Harbeths to the Spatials. Congratulations! I hope the wait isn’t too excruciating for you.

[Tangram]

As another data point, I own Harbeth 30.1 Anniversary speakers and have listened to the M3 Sapphires at LTA. The Harbeths have never sounded bright in my system. I have area rugs, curtains, and a cloth-upholstered couch but no formal sound treatments. Holo May DAC, Holo Serene preamp, and Benchmark AHB2 amp. The Harbeths are 2.5 feet from the front wall and at least 3 feet from side walls.

What I found with the Sapphires compared to the Harbeths was a) I now hear the boxiness of the Harbeths in comparison (it was nothing I would have understood before hearing the Sapphires), b) the Sapphires sound more natural and coherent top to bottom (again, only apparent in comparison), c) the bass on the Sapphires is better and in perfect relation to the rest of the sound (even with a stereo pair or REL subwoofers supporting the Harbeths), and d) the Sapphires are a bit more resolving. Overall the biggest differences were the natural and coherent sound with better bass from the Sapphires, and those combined to leave me very highly impressed with the Sapphires and looking forward to owning them.

Are you my audio doppelgänger? I agree with everything you say. I am moving my M30.2 Anniversaries and subs into a secondary system, replacing a pair of Focal 1008 Be II’s. Great speakers but just not in the same league as the M3s.

[Mr. Big]

Tangram, The M3's can rock out, as well as classical and everything in-between. Solid design with the sonics to prove it, once broken in.

[Mr. Big]

Good stuff: https://www.psaudio.com/askpaulvideo/where-to-audition-loudspeakers/