Massdrop x Eddie Current ZDT Jr. (Official Thread)

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

  1. allegro

    allegro Friend

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    The posts you all are making is why I had Justin make my Kenzie with 32/300 ohm taps. My HD800S much prefer the 300 ohm; I lose bass and sound stage when I try the 32 ohm jack. I am regretting not joining in on the drop, would like to compare the ZDT Jr to Kenzie.
     
  2. neogeosnk

    neogeosnk Friend

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    Is there a recommended tube upgrade set for this unit? Want to pre-buy before the unit arrives.
     
  3. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    The rear 6N24P tubes don't provide for many options. On very rare occasions, you might find an ECC89 or 6FC7 pair pop up that isn't the usual Russian stuff, but whether they're better or true direct equivalents isn't confirmed at this point. Not worth stressing. The Russian tubes are fine enough once you burn them in for a while.

    The front tubes give you more options. A good starting point is the GE 5654W JAN tubes, with green lettering. They are plentiful, cheap, and sound good overall without many compromises.
     
  4. neogeosnk

    neogeosnk Friend

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    Western Electric 396A-2C51-5670 I assume should work. Don't want it to go boom! per @purr1n
     
  5. JimL

    JimL Tongues KG's hairy starfish for fun

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    Um, the front 6Z1P is a pentode, the rear 6N24P is a dual triode. The WE396A-2C51-5670 is a dual triode tube, which will NOT work for the front tube, and has a completely different pin-out from the 6N24P, so either way, BOOM!! Stick with the Hand's suggestions or stock tubes!
     
  6. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    C'mon. People don't go around putting their dicks into electrical outlets.

    The rolling options are shit for this amp. Just be happy for what it is.
     
  7. Lyander

    Lyander Official SBAF Equitable Empathizer

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    On that note, how easy will it be to come by stock tubes if one ends up getting the ZDT Jr? Not something that needs to be stockpiled, hopefully?
     
  8. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    As of right now, super easy on eBay. Well, they might not be exactly stock, but similar Russian tubes nonetheless. You can often find bulk packs of the rear 6N24P tubes for like $1.50 each including shipping. That is, if you want to stock up on a 50 pack...

    And the front tubes have more equivalents you can roll anyway, expanding options for stock and other backup tubes. Also rather cheap.
     
  9. JimL

    JimL Tongues KG's hairy starfish for fun

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    An eBay search shows 28 results for 6N24P, and 455 results for 5654 tube, so I'd say the odds are good
     
  10. atomicbob

    atomicbob dScope Yoda

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    This is no longer a safe assumption in today's world. :(

    When my ZDT Jr. arrives, this will be the advice I follow along with @Hands and @purr1n strong suggestions for GE 5654W Jan tubes which I already acquired.
     
  11. AllanMarcus

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    anyone heard anything on shipping times?
     
  12. Luge

    Luge Acquaintance

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    Has anyone tried the ZDTjr. with Focal/MD Elex? Given its low/mid impedance of 80ohms it may not be a good pairing but it would be nice to hear an opininion of someone who heard the combo IRL. Thanks.
     
  13. songmic

    songmic Gear cycler East Asia edition

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    While I haven’t heard the Elex, the ZDT Jr. was a terrific match with 80 ohm Utopia on the low output Z setting. I’m not sure exactly how much is ZDT Jr’s output Z though.
     
  14. JimL

    JimL Tongues KG's hairy starfish for fun

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    There is an internet report by RAA on the Laconic Night Blues Mini where they measure the H output impedance at around 62 ohms and the L output impedance at around 28 ohms. I assume that the ZDT Jr. has very similar measurements. The Utopia is rated at 80 ohms impedance but rises to about 300 ohms maximum in the 40-60 Hz region, So the L impedance output in combination with the Utopia's impedance should result in a 2 dB rise in the 40-60 Hz range compared to the response from a low impedance solid-state amp. The Elear and Clear have similar impedance curves, with the Elear having an impedance around 90 ohms whereas the Clear has an impedance around 60 ohms, so the trend in frequency response should be similar, iwith a relative emphasis in the mid bass region compared to a solid-state amp. Whether this is desirable is a subjective decision.

    link here: https://reference-audio-analyzer.pro/en/title-report.php?id=442&page=amp-laconic-night-blues-mini-hi
     
    Last edited: May 29, 2018
  15. songmic

    songmic Gear cycler East Asia edition

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    I know, already mentioned this earlier in the thread.
    http://www.superbestaudiofriends.or...t-jr-official-thread.5408/page-19#post-208203

    I was wondering whether the ZDT Jr. has the same output Z as that of NBM, and if the high output Z could be problematic for the 80 ohm Utopia. To my ears it is a pretty decent combo, though.
     
  16. JimL

    JimL Tongues KG's hairy starfish for fun

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    AFAIK, the difference between the NBM and the ZDT Jr. is some improvement in parts, but the basic circuit is the same. If that is the case, I would expect the electrical parameters such as output impedance to be unchanged. OTOH, if the circuit has changed (e.g. open loop gain modified, feedback altered, etc.) then there could be differences.
     
  17. AllanMarcus

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    Ug. Shipment of the amps delayed. Trouble getting them out of russia, possibly exacerbated by the World Cup. Massdrop offering to allow cancellations, which may lead to opening up more sales, or having more on hand for warranty. Guess we'll see.
     
  18. Ringingears

    Ringingears Honorary BFF

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    Why did I just know something like this was going to happen. They should stop the World Cup for a day so the amps can get out. :D Let’s get priorities straight. :drunk:
     
  19. Ringingears

    Ringingears Honorary BFF

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    Well on the positive side, at least we know the units are assembled. My concern is MD’s wording. ‘’we should have some more information in the next few weeks.” Weeks? I fear this is going to be a Christmas present.
     
  20. dumbo

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    You can't say we weren't warned.

    I'm going to wait but this will probably be the last time I pre-order something like this again. There's something wrong with the whole idea of hurry up and order then wait your ass off anyway. And on top of that I ordered in a almost blind faith that it's supposedly going to be worth it. The only reason I did was because I trusted the learned opinion of peeps here otherwise there would be no way I would have.

    So if its a POS then is all your damn fault! :)
     

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