ZMF Auteur - An open back ZMF

Yup. As enthralled as I was with Gungnir Multibit last night, listening this morning with Modi 3 does not make me miss the Gungnir Multibit at all. It's so strange. Auteur makes the most of gear and recordings. HD6x0/800, while great, is like Nelson from The Simpsons, laughing at your sub par sources and calling you a loser. I'm usually kinda meh about Supertramp, but 'Breakfast in America' this morning had me enthralled.

I do want to get Gungnir Multibit back, but the few weeks its going to take to save up isn't a big deal at all.

And what is it about electric guitars that Auteur just nails?

 

So if I’m understanding correctly, you are saying listening via Auteur is analogous to looking at women through beer goggles?
Why would someone want that?

 

Yeah, Utopia takes this to an even greater extreme, bringing a black light into the truck stop bathroom, then staring back at you, unblinking, with cold indifference. Auteur just rolls with it.

I'd forgotten about the perforated lambskin Eikon pads that were in the case, I've been using them for the first time all morning. Not really my thing, too many reflections, I'm still all about those suedes. Reminds me of playing with the band in shag carpeted practice rooms.

 

I'm really curious about Verite but that price chasm between them (used) is crazy.

 

YMMV of course, but I listened to all of the open back ZMFs and prefer the Auteur regardless of price.

 

That makes me feel alot better.

 

I'm more of "close enough" guy these days when it comes to technicalities... as in, it does not necessarily equate to greater musical enjoyment... in some cases it can actually get in the way for me. But I think with classical you can never have enough.

Auteur makes me want for little. And that's why I'm buying it.

 

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I'm going to summarize several posts over the last few days.
He will always remember his first great non-Senn headphone experience



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Hi all,

I went through most of the thread and the impressions and don’t think I saw this addressed.

Has anyone heard the Auteur with Mjolnir 2 or the Liquid Platinum?

I have a WA2 which I think they will sound great with. However I’m upgrading my other headphone rig to balanced and I’m weighing these two options.

Anyone try either of these pairings ?

 

https://amp.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/887gnc/zmf_auteur_review/

Ok this answered my question a bit, bc the whole review was based on Mjolnir/Gungnir Multibit.

But still, would like to hear anyone’s thoughts...

 

The Liquid Platinum works just fine with the Auteurs. Is there any specific question you have on the pairing?

I personally would find myself listening to the Auteurs out of the WA2 while the LP collects dust. Like it’s doing now...

 

Thanks. Yes, I think they are going to sound excellent on WA2.

Honestly no specific questions. Just wanted to hear thoughts on how either amp pairs, what it does to the sound, etc etc. just general impressions.

 

Thank you. Based on what I’ve read about the LP this was kind of the impression I got. Doesn’t add, doesn’t subtract.

I think I’ll probably go with the Schiit, if anything Bc I love the way stack looks. I mean, what’s more important to sound quality than aesthetics, am I right?

 

Agree regarding LP w/ stock tubes. I don't find Auteur 'too laid-back' with my Siemens NOS tubes, nor with my Brimar CV-2492s. Bass can really stand out.

Probably a fine pairing.

Bottom line though, I've not heard an amp make my Auteur sound bad. In fact, it tends to be different flavors of great with different amps (LP, Bryston BHA-1, Violectric V280, Soundaware P1). They even sound darn good out of my AlgoRhythm Duet when stacked with one of my DAPs (Opus #2 and Plenue 2). I've got a DSHA-3F coming, so looking forward to that pairing.

I will say that @ $615 on Amazon, the LP was a pretty good value.

Note that my Auteur are Blackwood. Not sure which wood yours are.

 

Mine are also Blackwood

Yes! That deal on Amazon is over tho! I waited too long to make a decision.

 

Listening to Sinatra with the Eikon perforated suede pads tonight that Zach sent. I'm starting to warm up to them... out of all the pads I've tried they sound the most impressive... as in even better tonal balance across the board (and Auteurs were already very balanced). Extremely sweet sounding without any mush. Some added warmth, tastefully done. Treble is just to die for. More articulate. More vivid/less veiled (but slightly brighter overall as a result). Auteur's impressive microdynamics and plankton retrieval are all the more obvious now, closer to HD800 levels, which is welcome. Tightens things up too... less midbass but harder hitting sub bass (just overall more balanced in the bass). Sub bass really kicks like a f'ing mule now. And they are the most comfortable. Like pillows on your ears.

They just have this grandeur and splendor that is hard to describe in words. The bigger, more separated soundstage is part of it (although front to back layering takes a bit of a hit/and less holographic/images are a bit flatter). The word "bold" also comes to mind. But still retaining the effortless musicality and laid back smoothness. Great synergy with my T3.

They make the Auteur sound like a better version of itself. They might end up being my preferred pads. I think my intial comments about dry/damped quality was being so used to lambskin. The acoustical timbre is different, so it threw me off. It's one of those things that just fades into the background when you adjust to the new sound.

Everyone who owns this headphone should at least try them. HD600 might no longer be my desert island headphone now.

EDIT: Tightening the seal/clamp seems to fix the layering/imaging problem. More holographic now. And adds a bit more air.