This thread has more u-turns than 500 laps at Daytona. I’m taking the comments here with a big grain of salt.
Linear Tube Audio - Micro ZOTL - version -3 Update on upgrades
Having just received the Micro-Z OTL version 2 in Feb and seeing a much better upgrade was available . I had to do it to help complete my quest to get everything in my audio system as good as possible, and for 6 months the 30% off the upgrade stands . Where the older model had 4 circuit boards ,now just one very high quality Ceramic board ,with a small sister board , Gold over thick Copper traces. To start with an additional 80k uf in filter capacitance over 200k in total ,more then most amplifiers,pretty much Everything is name brand parts . I have the Top of the line Lundahl input transformers from Sweden .
having many years in Audio and having had many audio pieces modded , this preamp is Loaded with top of the line in parts quality using worlds best Belleson low noise regulators , Nichicon GOLD capacitors ,from Japan ,AMTRAN BEST - Golden SQ also Japan .EPCOS from Germany.Clarity-CMR -U.k all top notch capacitors
With balanced inputs , and the David Berning design Micro -Z-OTL output stage and Mark and engineering team . The interior is vastly upgraded, now a. Nice large toggle switch to choose between the 6 v - 6sn7 tubes and 12v. 12sn7 , the whole tube socket area is a nice thick platform no flexing and having just 1 Big main board not only more robust but much lower noise floor is Very apparent. Sonically the New version -3 is a major step up. To start I used just the stock tubes in the Version 3 to test vs an audio friends with the version 2 with much better Rays select 6sn7 tubes and same Telefunken 12au7 tubes that I bought . TheNew Version is better with ease ! Image depth is better and a deeper larger soundstage , Bass-MidBass has even better dynamics and slam, even quieter blacker back grounds, With excellent control ,and is just more tuneful, fast, and articulate. When I decided Now it’s time to. Put in my top Rays select 6sn7 tubes And 12AU7 Telefunken Red tip medical grade tubes . It was at minimum another 5 % Better still !! This was a substantial upgrade even with stock tubes .I go to several audio gatherings, the ones who have heard this all have $50k+ audio systems and stated you would have to spend well over $12k to just to come close to this preamplifier performance music just is seamless and coherent which I totally agree !! It has the best of what tubes do best in a Big open soundstage stage , with lots of Air and separation around the instruments ,with excellent Solid state like imaging Big dynamics and ultra fast Tight Bass, much more so now in the version 3 . Listening ,to classic Beatles to Pink Floyd interactions in the micro details that before we’re barely audible now come out of the shadows and are clear and defined , this alone to me is special .I have not found a preamp even close in the $10k+ range that can better this SS or vacuum Tubes, Great Job 👏 To all at LTA Audio 👍🎶👍.
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@smatsui If Im not mistaken its already for sale on Audiomart. https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650209683-linear-tube-audio-micro-z-otl-preamplifier-as-new/ |
Two days ago you gave a rave impression of the level 3 upgrade and now you want to sell it? Hmm …. that gives me the impression that you’re hyping it just sell it. Not a good look imo. I hope my impression of your post is wrong and that the upgrade is really all that you say it is. I ordered the upgrade well before you started this thread so your impressions didn’t factor into my decision to upgrade. I’ll find out in a few weeks how good the upgrade is for myself. |
Thank you @audioman58 for the write up. I’ve also been in queue to send my Level 2 in for a number of weeks and just sent it out yesterday. Really looking forward to hearing the improvements you talk about. |
Perfect. Thanks for the information @thriftyaudio Please let us know your thoughts on the upgrade when it is done. |
@sfpeloton I will be sending my Level 2 back for an upgrade next week. Jacob said I already had the Lundahl transformers so that is not in my billing. It was an upgrade LTA did along the way. |
Sounds promising. I see the LTA site now has pictures of the new boards. Looks like they did away with the ceramic one. Overall, the parts look fairly similar to level 2, albeit now on 2 boards, so I am somewhat surprised the jump up in sonics is so substantial. Has anyone else received the upgrade that can comment on the sound? @audioman58 not sure if you had the Lundahl transformers before the upgrade. My Level 2 has them so I am wondering if I have to also purchase that option at $300 or can they reuse the older input board on the back that has the transformers? Do they replace that board as well for Level 3? |
@audioman58 I have not heard the Gryphon, but I am more than satisfied with the Pass Labs XA-25. I have difficult speakers to drive with a 0.5 Ohm draw in a few passages at volume. The XA-25 works great. I have powered subwoofers with an active SPL Crossover so the XA-25 does not have to do much work below 80 Hz. One of the LTA amplifiers might work as well. |
The rays tubes bring earth but nice depth ,Telefunken accuracy big soundstage but not brightt. The preamplifier on its own a bunch of things stick out the SE- Amtrans Blue capacitors are a special hand wound capacitor The Gold-SQ- special quality. now a array of Nichicon Gold Tune caps ,as well as German a premium Zgerman brand that is new , Worlds best Belleson Low noise regulators, the Bog Ceramic board only 1 main board vs 3 before And Zhuge upgrade in capacitance over 200,000 uf ,which is more then most amplifiers much more lock on precision and bigger deeper soundstage . This reminds me of the great Gryphon Diablo 300 integrated amp, which I am trying to buy from my brother , the LTA preamp is actually a bit better stillwhich is saying a lot. , but the synergy and Amplifier -integrated is great , on my budget trying to find a amplifier to complement the LTA-3 has been a losing battle for me vs the Gryphon and .on a limited budget .i just my buy it from my brother on a payment plan . |
@audioman58 - Thank you for the extensive write up! Out of curiosity, what do you think are the top 1-2 improvements with the level 3 upgrade in your system? Let’s say with the new Rays tubes and your Telefunken tube? Image depth? Sound stage? Base? Blacker background? Micro-details? I’m curious if you find yourself enjoying one or two of the above improvements the most? Based on your review, it sounds like I’ll want to get the upgrade myself. |
@audioman58, thanks for posting about your experience with the upgrade. My level 2 will be upgraded next week. I ordered the upgrade over a month ago and I’ve been waiting for them to let me know when they’re ready for it. Jacob asked me to send it in today. I’m also getting the Ray Reserve 6SN7. I’ve had my level 2 for about a year. It’s great that LTA is offering the upgrade to current customers. Does the upgrade sound good right out of the box or did it require some additional burn-in beyond what LTA does? |
@audioman58 Thanks for the update. I received my Level 2 a couple of weeks earlier than you. I appear to be on a similar audio journey -- just different stops. My MicroZOTL should go in for upgrade in the next two weeks. |