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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 👍🎶👍.

 

audioman58
thriftyaudio's avatar
thriftyaudio
190 posts
 

@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.

sfpeloton
53 posts
 

@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.

sfpeloton
53 posts
 

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.

larsman's avatar
larsman
3,125 posts
 

@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! laugh

sls883
1,053 posts
 

@sfpeloton glad you're liking the upgrade. I haven't talked myself into upgrading my level 2 preamp. Another hobby has been using up my money.

 

I've tried a number of 12AT7 tubes. My favorite is the Telefunken ECC801S and my second favorite is the Siemans ECC801S. I tried a number of others and some were horrible.  

 

I've also tried several NOS 12SN7 and 6SN7 tubes. Sylvania, Raytheon, GE, RCA.  I think I'm using Sylvania 6SN7WGT Gold Brand, but I couldn't swear to it.  I can't remember. 

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