Eddie Current Zana Deux S

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

  1. cskippy

    cskippy Creamy warmpoo

    Pyrate MZR
    Joined:
    Oct 14, 2015
    Likes Received:
    3,999
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Tempe, Arizona
    f**k. Lol should have tried some. Gain is usually too damn high on amps for me.
     
  2. drgumbybrain

    drgumbybrain Science Nut

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2017
    Likes Received:
    2,219
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Lives in Fortaleza, Heart in Girona
    @sheldaze you should try the 6sl7. Ain’t your gain very low? Maybe Craig was on sleeping pills that day he shipped your amp...:piratemug:
    Thanks @Marvey
     
  3. sheldaze

    sheldaze Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    May 28, 2016
    Likes Received:
    977
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Land of Merriment
    Maybe he just knows me well :)
    The gain is perfect for my listening levels. I'm at around 7 o'clock on a Glass and wincing at how loud it is. I huddle around 9 o'clock on the ZDS.
     
  4. drgumbybrain

    drgumbybrain Science Nut

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2017
    Likes Received:
    2,219
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Lives in Fortaleza, Heart in Girona
    Gracias amigo. Thanks for the replying. This is very interesting. I thought that gain was a major factor in this amp signature for headphones like HD800 and hd650.
    Nevertheless if you are happy with the sound, that’s what’s matter in the end of the day.
    I will try some of my tubes and let you know. May I ask what headphones you are using? Cheers
     
  5. Mystic

    Mystic Mystique's Spiritual Advisor

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2016
    Likes Received:
    2,754
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    U.S.
    Got a new space heater.

    IMG_20171114_153203.jpg
     
  6. Ray

    Ray Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    1,302
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    On the range
  7. ButtUglyJeff

    ButtUglyJeff Stunningly beautiful IRL

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 12, 2015
    Likes Received:
    2,637
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Rochester, NY
    Your signature needs a major overhaul.... congrats
     
  8. Mystic

    Mystic Mystique's Spiritual Advisor

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2016
    Likes Received:
    2,754
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    U.S.
    Thanks! I forget I have one half the time as I browse on mobile mostly.
     
  9. Clear Water

    Clear Water Friend

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    101
    Trophy Points:
    33
    Location:
    Honolulu, HI
    Mystic: how do you like the ZDS? I ask because you're coming from the Sonett 2, which I still have as well :)
     
  10. Mystic

    Mystic Mystique's Spiritual Advisor

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2016
    Likes Received:
    2,754
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    U.S.
    I just got it hooked up today. Just a couple of things I immediately noticed it had over the Sonett 2: Clearer sounding, the treble extension is very good but not bright, which I thought was weird but I read other owners notice it as well. Much more authoritative dynamics. Notes hit harder and are more pronounced. Soundstage is huge with the 800. Even more so than it was on the Stratus.

    I've been using the Auteur on an Amethyst/Kenzie stack all week (as they were the only gear that fit by my work station) and moving to the ZDS was like a big veil had been lifted. I can't say I'm a fan of the Kenzie and the Amethyst really needs a lively amp to open it up. The Amethyst/Kenzie combo is just too soft and rolled off at both ends.
     
  11. Clear Water

    Clear Water Friend

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    101
    Trophy Points:
    33
    Location:
    Honolulu, HI
    I noticed the same things. I find that over time, the ZDS has a mid-range emphasis (or forwardness) compared to the Sonett. It's dynamic and punchy, but more fatiguing at comparable volume levels. Do you listen to tracks that have a lot of massed strings?
     
  12. Mystic

    Mystic Mystique's Spiritual Advisor

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2016
    Likes Received:
    2,754
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    U.S.
    I do, though I haven't today with the ZDS yet. I'll be trying those next then.
     
  13. Mystic

    Mystic Mystique's Spiritual Advisor

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2016
    Likes Received:
    2,754
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    U.S.
    Holy shit. The 650 has a soundstage.

    Spending the evening with my 650 and the Phillips 6sl7wgt. Supposedly this is the best one in the box of tubes I got with the amp for the 650.

    Why do I have all these other headphones? Should have just went straight to the ZDS after buying my 650 years ago. Bass is tight and actually cleaner sounding. Not wooly much at all. Soundstage is pretty good, much better than I thought the 650 could ever achieve.
     
    Last edited: Nov 15, 2017
  14. Clear Water

    Clear Water Friend

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    101
    Trophy Points:
    33
    Location:
    Honolulu, HI
    You prefer the 650s with the Phillips tube vs. the Mullard I see in the picture? Wow. I thought the Mullards were the best with the 650s...
     
  15. ButtUglyJeff

    ButtUglyJeff Stunningly beautiful IRL

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 12, 2015
    Likes Received:
    2,637
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Rochester, NY
    The HD650 scales to infinity, a freak of nature it is...

    edit - I'm half tempted to send you my Atticus to see if it benefits the same. I think it would...
     
    Last edited: Nov 16, 2017
  16. captkirk

    captkirk Khan's BFF

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2017
    Likes Received:
    1,877
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Sactown-ish
    ^^^

    I would love and hate to hear @Mystic's (or anyone with similar experience) impressions...love to hear how the Atticus scales with with ZDS and if the pair has synergy, hate the possibility that it might mean more amp rolling.

     
  17. Mystic

    Mystic Mystique's Spiritual Advisor

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2016
    Likes Received:
    2,754
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    U.S.
    I certainly wouldn't stop you ;)

    I currently have Zach's Eikon and Auteur, I could do a three way shootout on the ZDS!
     
  18. msommers

    msommers High on Epipens

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2016
    Likes Received:
    2,750
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Calgary, Alberta
    Home Page:
    That would be epic!
     
  19. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

    Staff Member Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2015
    Likes Received:
    89,778
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Padre Island CC TX
    Yes, and what I like about this setup is that the HD650 soundstage isn't overly diffuse (fuzzy blobs, unstable or imprecise localization) or wide, but instead has depth. What you've experienced is why you've seen me disagree with others that simply a wider or more diffuse (but fuzzy) soundstage is NOT good soundstage. The diffuse thing I can deal with, but the overly wide stage with no depth annoys the heck out of me.
     
    • Like Like x 5
    • Dislike Dislike x 1
    • List
  20. PacoTaco

    PacoTaco Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Nov 24, 2015
    Likes Received:
    1,474
    Trophy Points:
    93
    You guys are talking me out of the Black Widow and IHA-1. How could you?! I'm trying to save money for my purchase of the HD800!
     

Share This Page