Massdrop x Eddie Current ZDT Jr. (Official Thread)

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by Hands, Nov 15, 2017.

  1. tommytakis

    tommytakis MOT: E.T.A Headphones

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    https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/shortest-way-51-amp-impressions-only.8363/

    not sure if @Zampotech is still taking orders, but you order it through him.

    if not, CTH+LPS also has pretty good synergy. It’s a step or two below the resolution of ZDT Jr. or SW51 though
     
  2. Baten

    Baten Friend

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    It's an SBAF special. https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...1-amp-impressions-simple-set-amp.8042/page-11
    Woops, @tommytakis beat me to it.

    I've also heard pretty good things about this 'Nick' tube amp: https://www.toraudio.com/main.html?v=6#
    fits "small, relatively inexpensive tube amp" to a T :)
     
  3. YMO

    YMO Chief Fun Officer

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  4. ader

    ader Friend

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    Mind if I probe you a bit as to what you didn't like about the pairing?

    Also, how does the soundstage of the ZDT Jr. compare to the SW51+? I'm being oferred a ZDT Jr. for $260 right now...
     
    Last edited: Mar 16, 2020
  5. tommytakis

    tommytakis MOT: E.T.A Headphones

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    No problem! ZMFs in general have a certain level of warmth and richness. ZDT jr. also has this warmth and thick tonality and mixed together is IMO too much of a good thing and offsets the tonal balance. That’s why I prefer pairing the Verite with a more neutral or slightly lean sounding amps like the 3F, Valhalla 2, SW51+. Also the stage width is on the smaller side which seems to pull back on Verite’s staging ability. Just to clarify, the ZDT JR. is not a bad amp, actually still considered one of my favorites in the price range. I just find the synergy was better with the HD650 than with the Verite. I hope this helped
     
  6. ader

    ader Friend

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    Thanks, that makes sense to me since my ECBA with KR PX4's is pretty neutral and fast, and I really like that pairing.
     
  7. CEE TEE

    CEE TEE MOT: NITSCH

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    That is one of the best amp/tube combos and my biggest regret in selling an amp. Midrange/open stage king.
     
  8. ader

    ader Friend

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    I've had and sold off other big fancy tube amps, including the EC Electra, but have vowed to always hold on to my trusty BA. I just hate that PX4 tubes are so rare and freakishly expensive. I've never tried it with 300B's, but everything I've read suggests that the KR PX4's I ordered with it are a fair bit of the magic.
     
  9. mimizone

    mimizone New

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    Hi all. first post for me here because I have a borrowed ZDT Jr. on my desk from a friend. It sounds good and clean.
    But it has a very weird issue.

    When switched on, the LED turns on, but not the tubes. No sound comes out.

    What needs to be done is the following sequence.
    - amp off
    - remove both the small tubes
    - switch amp on
    - insert the tubes in their socket
    - the lit up and sound works!

    I've tried different set of tubes (the small ones). The problem is still there.

    Anybody would have a clue of what's happening?
    Is that something that can be fixed?

    Thanks for any tips
     
  10. Zampotech

    Zampotech Friend

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    This is probably the result of incorrect operation of the voltage stabilizer of the tube heater. This stabilizer has a built-in overcurrent protection unit. The overload threshold is 0.6 A. The overload threshold should be 0.6 A, if the current is higher, the stabilizer restricts the current. In your case, the restriction node may have broken. For full operation, the stabilizer needs to be replaced.
    The stabilizer is called KR1158EN6G
    Can be replaced with A low-Drop 6-volt fixed voltage stabilizer. But I don't know the American equivalent. Perhaps other users can help with this.
     
  11. randytsuch

    randytsuch Friend

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  12. Zampotech

    Zampotech Friend

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    Last edited: Apr 2, 2020
  13. randytsuch

    randytsuch Friend

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  14. NonpractisingEE

    NonpractisingEE New

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    I need to reconnect the output transformer to the PCB. I unfortunately ripped out the wires in the process of cleaning the hot-glue (those were on there really tight, even with heating with a blow-dryer and then my iron).

    I am hoping that if i alternate white and black pairs and keep the aluminum wire on the left that I'll be good to go. That seem right?

    Would like confirmation and am looking at this photo snapshot: [​IMG][​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  15. NonpractisingEE

    NonpractisingEE New

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    In case anyone else is debating this..... The impedence of the turns on the transformer are different. But it does seem to follow the "Left-most is white" and then alternate white, black.

    The primary looks to be the aluminum-ish colored wire. The copper color are the secondary turns and the white and black legs of the "middle two" are tied together like this.

    WB W BW BW B
    1-2 3 (45) (67) 8

    Adding the extra CM of distance for the output transformer above the power input, and adding additional iron ( around that OTL and below it). Huge improvement as i no longer can hear any hum for my more sensitive headphones from the power input.

    The m3x45 standoffs (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07ZR18DLP/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) and Nylon bead (12mm or 1cm) are perfect (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06Y2FBKPZ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1). I'm not going to do the other side at this point.
     
  16. RAZRr1275

    RAZRr1275 Facebook Friend

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    Anyone have reliability issues with this thing? Mine just broke after only having it for 2 months. The power tubes turn on but the LED that turns on when its powered up doesn't. Cant tell if the front tubes are on or not. I've changed all the tubes.

    EDIT: Confirmed with the stock russsian tubes where its easier to tell. Front tubes do not light up regardless of having changed them 3 times.
     
    Last edited: Apr 18, 2020
  17. Lyander

    Lyander Official SBAF Equitable Empathizer

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    Contact Drop, ask about repairs or replacements? I live on the opposite side of the globe so will likely have a third party electrician (that knows their shit) repair the ZDT Jr. I have lying around— it's a loan from a friend, think I discussed it a few pages above.

    I'm dealing with a pretty erratic power grid, kinda normal for here, but had the unit plugged into a surge protector so have no clue what might have caused it to die out of nowhere. I will say it's a good amp and that is certainly worth MSRP (and based on impressions here, a fair bit more) and that failures happen to all products eventually.

    Hope you have luck getting that sorted out!
     
  18. RAZRr1275

    RAZRr1275 Facebook Friend

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    It was bought secondhand and at that price shipping + repair probably isn't worth it. Think I'm just gonna move over to a SW51. I did enjoy the amp just have a thing where I don't rebuy products that die on me.
     
  19. Sqveak

    Sqveak Friend

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    Then it's time to learn. Get a multimeter and ask our resident repair expert @Zampotech for help debugging it.
     
  20. RAZRr1275

    RAZRr1275 Facebook Friend

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    I'll keep it to play with when I have time but I'd rather sink the cash into a different product that's likely more reliable than the time at the moment. I've been spending a lot of time working lately.
     

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