FirstWatt J2 on its way

aberyclark OP

For even more naturalness/transparency
The First watt has an input impedance of 100kohm which anything can drive, and 20db of voltage gain, and your Zu Omen are 97dB!!!

You "could" very well lower even more the "electronic signature" count by flicking an unneeded preamp, and feeding your source be it dac or phono stage into a $49 Shiit Sys passive preamp with no electronic signature, and your sound could get even more transparent, if the gain is still enough.
https://www.schiit.com/products/sys
Or if your dac/cdp has level control try it direct into the J2, without using the Sys even.

Cheers George

I recently picked up a J2 as well. I rotate it thru two systems. One of the ways is through passive preamp. This setup usually consists of 90db speakers,and really works well for my needs. Running 97db speakers will really work great!  I tried the sys to see if it would work for me. Within a week I purchased a Prometheus TVC pre that I use to this day. 

I purchased a Prometheus TVC pre

TVC passives have a little coloration just like LDR passives compared to a Sys or going direct, probably suits your preferred system/room balance, but still more transparent, less noise, and less distortion than a active preamp.

If you have the gain/speaker efficiency, then all passives will better the transparency/noise floor/and distortion.
Only going direct is even better, but it has some proviso’s, re starting to "bit strip" (less resolution) if using the digital domain volume control below 75% of full

Cheers George

I just pulled my J2 from storage and set it up last week, it sounds great!  With higher efficiency speakers that stay at 8 ohms, this amp sings like few others.  Though I am shortly going to be posting if for sale :(