Eddie Current Zana Deux S

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by Luckbad, Apr 5, 2016.

  1. Ringingears

    Ringingears Honorary BFF

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    Oh no. Now you've done it. No sleep tonight....
     
  2. PTS

    PTS Friend

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    I'm looking for a great headphone amp in combination with a SE preamp that can output to 2 mains and 2 subwoofers. Looks like the ZDS may fit the bill. Would it be a big sonic improvement over the Saga or Freya as a pre, or on a par?
     
  3. cskippy

    cskippy Creamy warmpoo

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    I think it's been said that transparency Saga>Freya>ZDS

    I agree with this assessment. Although Zana Deux does still offer excellent 3D sound stage when using speakers. It depends on what you want.

    Most people will probably suggest either Saga or Freya with Jot or your headphone amp of choice.
     
  4. PTS

    PTS Friend

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    Have a mid-tier headphone amp and a Saga already, was looking to go high-end and pull double duty with one of EC's offerings. Lack of remote would be tough too, but not a deal breaker.
     
  5. cskippy

    cskippy Creamy warmpoo

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    Well there ya go. Maybe try and find a used ZDS and try it as a pre amp. If it works for you, then great. You also have a very transparent preamp with Saga so you're covered. You could even run Saga as a pre to ZDS. I did this with a Freya and it worked well. Just set the ZD pot to a spot that gives you enough play with both headphones and speakers, done.
     
  6. skem

    skem Friend

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    I admit... it's kind of (very?) douchey to get into tube amps, then two weeks later go buy a ZDS. But you ZDS lovers have persuaded me to try this amplifier (I'll spare you the logic unless asked).

    I'm presuming it is impractical to expect to find someone local to Boston to let me try it out before pulling the lever. If I'm wrong, someone please correct me ASAP.
    Assuming not, I've sent an order via e-mail to Craig a few days ago.... but so far no response. Any advice on whether this is typical for him, or if I should communicate in some other way, would be welcome. (looking at you @Marvey ).
     
  7. Ringingears

    Ringingears Honorary BFF

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    E-mail is best in my experience. Small operation. Not unusual. Good things do come to those who wait. (Sorry for lifting your line Marv). Maybe some memeber in Boston might let you have a listen. Good luck.
     
    Last edited: Nov 3, 2017
  8. Storytime

    Storytime Acquaintance

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    Thanks for that write-up, RiddleyWalker. Your description of the Philips 6SL7WGT promised just what I was looking for in a tube to drive my KISS-modded HD650 in the ZDS, so I tracked one down on eBay. It arrived last night. Previously I had been using mostly the RCA 5691 red base (a perfect match for the HD800, my main headphones, but just the wrong profile for the HD650) or a new-production Sophia 6SL7 grade A (a better profile for the HD650 but just not as engaging of a tube). The Philips 6SL7WGT was a clear winner with the HD650 right out of the gate. The base immediately gained definition and was less woolly, the stage opened up a touch and seemed less closed in, the treble seemed clearer and had more energy, and vocals/mids were even more defined and up-front (which I like). I didn’t find the bass slam that much better than the RCA 5691, but the RCA has phenomenal slam to start with. Maybe the snare punched a bit harder with the Philips, but it wasn’t night and day.

    As you indicated, the Philips isn’t a good match for the HD800, though—way, way too much sizzle with cymbals, and generally it just tilted the EQ balance even more out of whack—all I could focus on was the treble.

    When I switched back to the HD650 again, I immediately missed the HD800’s level of detail, but the “rightness” of the HD650 with the Philips 6SL7WGT soon won me over and led to a long listening session. From what I gather the HD650 can scale up even further than it does on the ZDS, but I honestly have trouble imagining how much more there is to wring out of it beyond the paring with the ZDS & Philips 6SL7WGT.

    Anyway, thanks again for the recommendation, RiddleyWalker. Between this tube on the ZDS and the KISS mod (full write-up to come tonight or tomorrow), I’ve got a feeling the percentage of my time with the HD650 will be increasing.
     
  9. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Might not have caught up with e-mails if sent toward end of last week. Consider Friday to Monday non-business days. Do you have Judi's e-mail?
     
  10. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Another thing I should mention is that ZDS sucks with planar headphones.
     
  11. RiddleyWalker

    RiddleyWalker Friend

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    Is there an amp you recommend that maintains a similar sound signature to the ZDS that does a better job with planars, outside of the BW? I have heard about the ZDT but hoping to find something still in production. I think the ZDS -> HE-500 combo sounds great, and I’m afraid if I go to something like the Mjolnir 2 i would miss the ZDS magic.
     
  12. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    I owned the HE-500 for the longest time but I felt the HE-500 was a bit soft sounding from the ZD/S. But it's entirely possible that your priorities rest not with the grip on the driver or impact, but the nuances of what the ZDS brings in the mids and highs.

    You'd have to audition the Mjolnir 2 for yourself and compare. It's too hard to say because the amps are so different. A Pioneer M-22 might be fantastic. You could also try a decent solid-state speaker amp and use the ZDS as a preamp.
     
  13. bengo

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    The M-22 is fantastic with planars, but possibly a bit lean so with a ZDS as pre could be even better. (It kinda goes against my nature to buy a headphone amp and not use half of it, though. Probably holding out for the new EC 45 pre.) Trying to get back on topic, is anyone actually using ZDS as pre?
     
  14. drgumbybrain

    drgumbybrain Science Nut

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    Hello secret societé friends. how you doing? good?
    Im quite enjoying the zana deux. what a marvelous machine! As im out of work, i started to have some crazy tube rolling ideas.
    I have many NOS 6sn7 tubes here. Some very rare. I have read that they are different from stock 6sl7. Mine is JJ 6SL7
    DOES ZDS support 6SN7 tubes?
    Before i try some stupid action, i was wondering if someone could give some advice. Already emailed Craig, but he will probably take 5-7 days to receive response.

    thanks
     
  15. Galm

    Galm Still looking for Little Red Riding Hood

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    I think @Marvey would be the person to ask that question if his knowledge of the ZDS is even a fraction of his knowledge of the Aficionado.

    Good idea to ask first :thumbsup:

    Or @Ray below.
     
  16. Ray

    Ray Friend

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    6sl7, no 6sn7's in the ZDS.
     
  17. sheldaze

    sheldaze Friend

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    My ZDS came earlier this year with a 6SN7, and I am using a NOS 6SN7 replacement.
     
  18. sheldaze

    sheldaze Friend

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    I checked twice before I purchased the replacement. Stock and NOS replacement are indeed 6SN7.
    I'll add a picture in a second:
    [​IMG]
    That's the stock tube, and the box of the replacement tube.
     
    Last edited: Nov 11, 2017
  19. Ray

    Ray Friend

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    I wouldn't try it until I heard from Marv.
    6sl7> amplication factor 70
    6sn7> amplication factor 20
    I'd stick with the 6sl7.
     
  20. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    6SN7s will work, but gain is low. Craig probably shipped the wrong one.
     

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