Massdrop x Eddie Current ZDT Jr. (Official Thread)

I use a stock HD800, a slight EQ does wonders. This is probably the most EQable hp I've met yet.

 

As far as parts quality I would prefer to see something like a sealed Alps volume control, Nichicon capacitors, and decent copper wiring. I'm not talking about boutique parts, just something better than unheard of Chinese caps and cheap wiring that isn't even copper. I would faint if I saw PRP resistors and then would immediately place my order! If you had shown me the NBM PCB and asked me the country of origin, I have immediately said China. Compare the NBM PCB with a Schiit $99 Magni 3 and see what you think. At least I would think decent parts would make me feel better about long term reliability.

 

Pure copper wiring is overrated, all it does is sit and degrade over time. I've used tinned copper speaker cables for 30 years and they sound consistant over their entire life and do not need termination.

 

I thought the knob solved it!

 

IMHO, I'm with Marvey about parts.
You can upgrade almost everything but the iron. So give me good iron at a reasonable cost, and I'll upgrade other parts later.

Looking at the pics, there are parts I would consider upgrading later on, maybe after the warranty expires.

At $400, they can't be using fancy parts, and I'm fine with that since I'm cheap lol.

Randy

 

Part placement and wiring is clean and well thought-out, I really respect that (see Aric Audio as well). Some high end stuff is a f'ing rats nest under the guise of "shortest path is best."

 

Any information on who that supplier actually is and what transformer this is using? I believe mass drop indicated it was from Germany without much other information.

A quality transformer is key, and I imagine that expense likely dominates the cost of the BOM.

 

The big amps in the rear remind me of ElectronLuv amps from 10+ years ago.

http://www.6moons.com/industryfeatures/vsac03/vsac_3.html

 

Thanks Marvey. I was just responding to Hands' query about dpump's desire to see a picture. I wasn't trying to suggest it needed better parts; I was just commenting on why a picture and knowledge of the parts used might be helpful to someone.

Understood. I had an SRD modded 800 myself, and it was still on the "not warm" side to me, which is why I personally feel a stack that is good for the 800SDR and the HD650-modded seems a little odd. I would still want (and this is personal preference) a less warm amp for the HD650M and warmer amp for HD800SDR. Just a personal preference.

Which leads me back to the ZDT jr. If it's on the warmer side, then probably a better match with the HD800-modded, or the HD600. Whereas a Jot or more analytical amp might be considered better for the HD650M. Obviously, YMMV. If it's pretty much neutral, then it will bring out the best in both, but a neutral tube amp might be an oxymoron.

Again, thanks for the comments.

 

You can definitely upgrade iron. It’s the component that will give the most change too, much more than tubes. You just need to makes sure you have the right impedances.

 

OK, you're right, but if you get to the point of upgrading iron, I'd start looking at other amps. It doesn't make sense to me to buy an amp where you need to upgrade the output tranny.

And the make sure you have the right impedance is maybe easier said than done. Unless you know the manufacturer and PN for the tranny, its beyond my skills to measure one.


Also, just checked massdrop, just under 200 sold now.
177 left, get yours before they are gone

 

For some reason I thought the additional RCA’s were just a loopout but it looks like it’s a preout.

 

Not much to share on this topic:
E-I core , the iron is made in Germany. Transformers are assembled somewhere in Tula. Small scale, and probably made to order. I'd been told "They are the laboratory, not a factory".

 

Those GM100 tubes look like they can pull double duty in a lighthouse.

 

I was thinking a grow.