Linear Tube Audio - Micro ZOTL - version -3 Update on upgrades

I got my Level 3 back today after my usual hassle with FedEx. I have only been listening for 4-5 hrs now, but impressions are favorable. It sounds great, but so did the Level 2. As others have stated there is probably a little more clarity, detail and "vividness" with Level 3. Take this with a grain of salt though as I haven't been listening to my system for the last 3 weeks during the upgrade and I am basing the comparison on memory. Overall, I would say it was a subtle but worthwhile upgrade for me; however, I was expecting an even more pronounced difference between 2 and 3.

Did anyone notice an improvement with more break in?

I will update when I have some more time on the Level 3.

@sfpeloton I did not compare right away. Essentially I let it play for a day or two before evaluating. The improvement was distinct as compared to the notes I had. I believe if I had been able to compare the L2 with the L3 I would have selected the L3 even with the upgrade charge.

There was a minor improvement over time, but it is hard to quantify. I can just describe it as more relaxing without losing the detail. 

No regrets on my end. The urge to upgrade pre-amps is gone. I can live with the L3 MicroZOTL for many years. The only itch right now is for speakers, but I have yet to find ANY that I covet. There must be some out there somewhere. Hoping to to listen the TAD TX line when they get a new distributor in the US. It is always fun to be on the lookout for something.

@thriftyaudio Yes, I agree that it is best to let it play for a day or two before coming to any firm conclusions. Just wanted to give some first impressions. I am still listening and very much enjoying the sound. I am glad I upgraded. Without a side by side comparison, it is hard to know how much better Level 3 is -- I think it is better. Sometimes I feel it is all about expectations. My system sounded very good with L2. L3 has pretty much the same basic sound character to my ears, just polished and refined to some hard-to-quantify degree. 

That is the hobby -- always chasing some improvement we weren't aware could be had. For me I also like the challenge of finding that by doing research and finding products with a great value prop. I would recommend MicroZOTL L3 for anyone looking at new preamps. The price is extremely good for what they deliver. 

Happy listening.

An update on my microzotl L3. I have been really enjoying the update and sound I am getting. Over the past few ~4 months, I made the following 4 changes to my system:

1) microzotl L3 upgrade

2) added some high quality telefunken NOS tubes to replace my Genalex Gold Lion reissues

3) added Audience Frontrow RCAs between the LTA and Audionet amp

4) added a new Furutech FP S032N + FI-50 NCF connector power cable to my amp

All 4 of these changes had made differing levels of improvement and, together, add up to a substantial improvement to the overall sound of my system. As many have said on this forum, "everything matters".

A note on tube rolling with the LTA. The Genalex 12AT7 and Ray Reserve 6SN7 tubes were quite good, but adding the Telefunkens added just that last bit of ease, clarity and detail to the sound. I also tried rolling the 6SN7 tubes with some Hytron and Sylvania NOS tubes. The Hytrons were purchased from a dealer that was recommended on this forum, but one of my tubes was clearly defective and I sent them back immediately. I didn't like the NOS JAN 6SN7WGTA Sylvania tubes either. They sounded too warm and rolled off. So I have given up on 6SN7 NOS and put the Ray Reserves back in with the NOS Telefunken input tubes. Very happy with this combination.

@sfpeloton - I had to do a little playing around with the tubes to get it to sound right as well. I got a pair of Ray Reserve 6SN7's, but they smoothed out the sound too much for my liking; not enough musical texture and dynamics. The stock 6SN7's that came with it were much more to my liking in my system. I did have to change the small tubes, though - the stock ones were holding it back dramatically. I tried out a few others that LTA sent me, and out of the 4, the stock and one of the others didn't sound good, the other two made a big difference, so I kept a pair of one of them.. 

I also tried those Hytrons, probably got them from the same place, and got 2 bad pairs, making all kinds of very loud noises, including some that sounded like gunshots. Maybe it's because they were 'military' tubes!