LTA MZ3 Review | More than a headphone amplifier!

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[@StewartMarkley]

As a electronics engineer, I am interested in how LTA avoided using an output transformer. I am thinking they have a cathode follower which converts high impedance to low impedance, however the output impedance is still probably a bit high compared to typical designs which could make the preamp more problematic as far as driving different headphone impedances. It would probably be worthwhile to compare the sound with different headphone impedances especially how the low end sounds. FOLLOW UP: After reading the patent on the ZOTL technology, I determined that the circuitry is much more complex and ingenious in its operation than I had thought. The performance of the ZOTL topology is far superior to any tube amplifier using an output transformer and is much closer to the performance of a solid state amplifier which gives it the very detailed sound that you heard. The use of tubes vs.transistors means that it possesses the more euphonic sound associated with tubes as they are driven into their more nonlinear operating range, which is why many people prefer the sound of tubes vs. transistors. So for people that just must have tube amplifiers, the LTA products are without equal. For me personally, I am not attached to any particular technology or technique, but rather mostly driven by sound quality and cost. Because of the very dynamic nature of music, I believe there is no such thing as too much power and want my power amplifier and speakers to operate in their most linear operating range to minimize distortion, which is why I have always been a fan of plenty of power and also high efficiency speakers. This is why good horn speakers always sound more effortless, dynamic and lifelike, even with lower power amplifiers. However 1watt is basically only going to be sufficient with very high efficiency speakers, and is why LTA. recommends the use of the MZ3 with Kilpschorns that have 105dB sensitivity.

[@512bb]

I'm not sure if you know Said Berning background but he is a physicist that work for the government at the most secure labs in the US, this guy is so brilliant its scary. He was a audio lover & had his own company since the 70s but decide to retire and find a company that could build his circuit under license but he went through a couple of companies before he licensed LTA. You should look him up as his products from the past are so legendary & coveted. He is really in a league of his own, I think you would be really impressed if you ever heard his stuff, to this day about the best I ever heard & still looking for one to buy if I ever get lucky enough.

[@pennfootball71]

LTA stuff isn't great in my opinion until you go to their top of the line integrated amp. They just don't have the power to run 300ohm headphones with gusto until you get to the Z10. Then holy murderballs power batman it is the best I ever heard not kidding . It is too noisy for sensitive IEM's but my ZMF Aeolus LOVED the Z10...I talked to the owner a bit about this and to put it breif it's just made better then this little MZ3 guy. The tubes do the job of the transister in it's topology..In my opinion it is all or nothing just try a Z10 and you will be like yea this is good. (Unless you have more sensitive headphones like Focal Utopia) BUT if you have Focal Utopia just get the Z10 you got the money.

[@nicholastolson1699]

@@pennfootball71 Glad to hear you love the Z10, and thanks for the kind words. One point of clarification, though: The Z10 is more powerful than the MZ3, but it isn't "made better" than the MZ3. All our amps are handmade in the US with the same level of craft, components, and attention to detail. 🤘 ~Nicholas from LTA

[@StewartMarkley]

@@pennfootball71 Do you happen to live in the Pittsburgh area? I live near Cranberry in Economy. I'm always curious where people live that I communicate with on here. Anyway, because you have high impedance phones, it isn't the power that you need but the higher voltage that the Z10 outputs. LTAs design gives the best of both the tube and transistor worlds, an amazing but expensive solution. But as long as a transistor amp is kept in the linear operating range, I think that it would be very hard to tell the difference between these, given a very good quality design and build with both.

[@pennfootball71]

@@StewartMarkley I live in NJ

[@kesm66]

I have this unit. It is a marvel. You’ve nailed the sound quality by description...which is no small feat...as it’s difficult to put into words. You simply have to hear it to believe it; yet I don’t think it’s for those seeking a traditional tube sound. I prefer the stark silence that it presents along with the level of detail it imparts...that’s seemingly a trade off for the warmish tone (distortion) that you’ll hear with a traditional tube amp.

[@Newrecordday2013]

Yup, we are hearing the same amp!

[@yirmeyahugutz6217]

@@Newrecordday2013 Did you happen to try this as a preamp into a headphone amp? wondering if the wide soundstage thru the preamp can improve headphones who don't create that big of a stage

[@sarahX..]

Any idea how the MZ3 might mate driving 115db concentric horn tweeters in a electronic XO system? Looking for the ultimate 1W tweeter amp here.

[@kesm66]

I would reach out Linear Tube audio & pose that question…& if you purchase be aware of the return policy.

[@sarahX..]

@@kesm66 Yes done it already but no reply yet. Could you give me your opinion on the `highs` of this unit? Or the highs compared to anything else maybe....

[@treyhorn5645]

I suggest to all you guys to watch the LTA interview with Nicholas and Ron. Then come back here and rewatch ... Truly an amazing Multi-task machine... Very cool !!! Price is not crazy compared to separates to achieve this goal... Truth.✌️

[@deanfisher1656]

Own one of these with Utopia and LCD 5 phones on it. Incredible. You captured this product really well. As a pre-amp …it’s killer behind the Agier 2 amp. Whoa……love the detail retrieval while staying in tube land. Nice review.

[@kesm66]

The MZ3 has been a main staple in my desktop rig for years…I was an early adopter and have had it serviced to gain the upgrades on the potentiometer & the new remote. It performs like a champ…it strikes the right balance between a tube and SS pre (& amp if you use the speaker taps)…I have driven 84 db Spendor A1 & 4/5 Classic monitors with it. It’s great for near field listening. I don’t detect any harshness in the treble region. It’s a quiet running unit with an inky black background that adds a holographic signature to music. You’ll only know if you demo it…and return it if it doesn’t have synergy with your system. I do wish it had more watts (12 or so)….but I imagine that would be a larger unit.🤔 The Z10e does but I don’t know if it has speaker taps (as I type this response).

[@jdiggadydog]

Been following this company for 3 years now and they have a bigger brother that's even more incredible. Good review, as a preamp and right amplification, can compete with ultra high performance audio.

[@kevinsilvernale6953]

I NEED this as a preamp!

[@Newrecordday2013]

Highly recommended

[@MAELOB]

Me too

[@tweedpenguin712]

Why waste it as a preamp?

[@mikebrown1743]

Hey Ron have you ever heard the MZ2? Based on some older reviews, 2016 I think, it sounds like a giant killer as a preamp. So, I was wondering if you’d heard it and if so how it compares to the MZ3? At under $1300 in its stock version, I wouldn’t expect it to be as good as an MZ3 but if it comes close it could be an affordable option. Any chance a review is in the works for the MZ2?

[@512bb]

Ok Ron, I own the MZ3 as my dedicated headphone amp & I'm sorry to say those Beyerdynamics are not a good match which is what you are hearing. I am using Meze Empyrean's which is a much richer, fuller sounding set of cans, believe me you won't be complaining about male vocals on these. David Berning is in a league of his own, one of the truly great designers, can't wait for your interview.with him. Be well.

[@Newrecordday2013]

Thanks Scott! I actually reviewed the Empyreans with the MZ3 and wish I still had them here to contrast! Thanks for the comment and watching the review! All the best!

[@marcsmith5119]

I’m running the Empyreans with an MZ2 and Lampizator Atlantic DAC. All the warmth and liquid beauty of tubes - but with incredible detail. Blows me away every time I sit down for a music session.

[@x32i77]

I also do own the meze-empyrean and I am highly suggesting the cocktail audio ha500h. Its 1000$ cheaper and perhabs even better sounding.

[@512bb]

@@marcsmith5119 Thats very cool Marc, The Lampiizator is a great DAC,as well as the MZ2, as I said David Berning is really something special. Your description is so fitting & well said, it really is uncanny. Glad you're a member of the club!

[@512bb]

@@x32i77 Thanks for the recommendation, hopefully I can give it a listen someday but I'm a David Berning fan for many years, he just doesn't think like anyone else.

[@Grooverski]

I’ve used to own Dodd preamp and it was something else. I preferred Dodd over Red Wine battery preamp. Dodd offered a DIY buffer/preamp kit which I’ve build and still own. And for $500 it came scary close to his reference preamp at fraction of the cost. As to high efficiency speakers...... you gotta try Cornwalls 4. Not your typical “audiophile” speakers but what a fun, ballsy dynamites. They keep you smiling and let you forget about chasing audiophile dragons.

[@carminedesanto6746]

Running a Loxji 20 ..a $100.00 ...all being run in balanced and output in balanced to my 650’s ...and tubes add a certain funk to the sound ..and on some “crunchy digital “ 💿..it helps in smoothing it out. The unit you’re demonstrating is very very funky 😎👍

[@ErnestoDelAguilaIII]

Any chance you’ll be reviewing the slightly more affordable MZ2?

[@chipsnmydip]

I've owned this amp for nearly a year and a lot of this review resonates. The MZ3 is extremely musical and has an amazingly lush and full bass and midrange. The treble is extremely low ear fatigue, but doesn't seem too dampened. I actually wouldn't compare it to solid state because it really does sound like tubes, just not really thick and colored tubes. The only places that I found it lacks (paired with some DACs) is that it has a somewhat limited width, which doesn't always complement sources with a really big soundstage. And the top end can be a little dark, at least with some pairings. That black background gives you an intimate sound, but it obscures the soundstage a bit like a black velvet curtain. Anyway, fantastic amp, but not the most open top end or wide sound. I never tried it as a preamp, but personally I would want a balanced preamp.

[@InternetUser-d7s]

Nice. That was helpful. Did you keep it?

[@chipsnmydip]

@@InternetUser-d7s I did sell it because I got a really high end DAC (EMM Labs DA2) and the MZ3 soundstage did not scale to match it.

[@WS-gs6sf]

I paid $750 for mine back around 2003 or so. It has the same main board, but different power supply and no 'features'. A set of RCA ins, binding posts, volume knob, and a power switch. At one Watt it drives my Klipsch La Scalas with aplomb.

[@run_taurus7635]

the remote Ron is complaining about does not need to be pointed at the device. bluetooth or rf. i wish my pre amp had a bluetooth or RF frequency remote

[@charleskatz2606]

Would love for somebody to do a side by side with MZ3 and the Z10 integrated,Yeah Cornwalls would work and I read Mr.Alexander said his SET 15 (not the 12) would work but your limted when you have the 6 watters out there really one needs 10 to low 20's in real world.Think this is made for those who want to eliminate the sound of pre entirely those want to hear deck/arm/cart/cables and the amp speaker.As long as it gives the dynamics that a passive can't this could be the real deal.But in and outs and for those who can swing the 10 watts and want tubes it's a better deal for another $1500

[@markphilpot4981]

When you combine a Project RS2 T transport and a Denafrips Terminator R2R Dac, let me know what you think of that combination! Until then, I don’t think you have heard what digital is capable of! R2R is another step closer to scary real in the digital world and combined with the Project RS2 T transport, that is as far as I am concerned the ultimate digital front end. Analog is a whole nother thing. Haven’t found that cha cha just yet. The best turntable by far is the Merrill-Williams Real 104 turntable without question. The arm and cartridge selection is still out.

[@512bb]

You might have a second thought if you ever heard the Versa Dynamics 2.3 table

[@markphilpot4981]

scott satren, I know of the brand. Those who don’t know of the Merrill-Williams Real 104 should find a dealer and give it a listen. Judge yourself with your own ears. It might be so as you speak. I cannot chase after such as have in the past. I had the great fortune of assembling the Merrill Heirloom turntable back when it was best made. Opinions are free, but equipment is something each much seek with their own ears and make themselves happy. It is our own ears we must make happy. That is as it should be. Be glad in your choice for it pleases you and that is as it should be!

[@yogiwp_]

Great review Ron! I think we're missing one important thing, that is how well does it work with planars? Since usually planars don't play well with tubes, but the MZ3 is kind of unique.

[@Newrecordday2013]

I don’t have planars in house, hard to say!

[@nicholastolson1699]

We have many customers happily using our amps with planar headphones from the likes of Dan Clark Audio, Audeze, Hifiman, Abyss, Meze, etc. Planars + LTA = 🤘 ~ Nicholas from LTA

[@anjovandijk9797]

@@nicholastolson1699 quote: our amps But how about planars with the MZ3

[@nicholastolson1699]

@@anjovandijk9797 Definitely. I'm using Audeze LCD-X and Dan Clark Audio Aeon2's with the MZ3 now, for instance.

[@anjovandijk9797]

@@nicholastolson1699 thx Nicholas iam saving to buy the MZ3..greetings from the nederlands

[@charleskatz2606]

BTW good review.Might have liked.bit more head to head vs the Rossi but perhaps that would have been if the Z10 I mentioned was in the mix.It's too bad about Dodd falling by wayside I a sure Danny given the rig has feels same

[@1mctous]

The lack of higher-order distortion makes components easier to listen to for extended periods.

[@treyhorn5645]

Nice!. Amazing review.👍

[@mcaddc]

I'm wondering whether you're hearing moreso what is being rendered by the DAC? Have you tried different DACs to compare the Bass response?

[@sidvicious3129]

I have heard of LTA before and they offer a serious of even better power amps and integrated amps. They offer a demo and clearance section on their website. When you get the chance Ron if you haven’t already done this check out the new Benchmark HPA-4 headphone amp and give us your thoughts. Thanks for the review Ron and if you are looking for a preamp that will flip your wig back, try the Audio Research Ref 6, the Ref 6se just replaced it. The only problem is it’s three times the price used of the Dodd Audio or LTA new, but the prices on the used market are in the $9,000 to $9,700 range, they were $15,000 new, but an experience that Ron from New Record Day would never forget!!!

[@jameswhiting6030]

Wow, awesome review, would love to hear it with my Veritie Closed Headphones and completely rebuilt OPPO sonica.(no not a Modwright) but may be surprising close for a lot less. A really good sounding combo. Would tube rolling help the male vocals issue? Thanks.

[@cesargutierrez4999]

Great review sir Thank u!!!!

[@mauriciomucino1015]

I really Hope you check out the new Velo from LTA

[@Newrecordday2013]

You bet your ass I am!

[@sarahX..]

Anyone have any idea how the MZ3 might mate driving 115db concentric horn tweeters in a electronic XO system? Looking for the ultimate 1W tweeter amp here.

[@kudoProduction]

Please consider reviewing Teac NT-505 DAC. It as a dual AK4497 monaural topology. Is 2 DAC chip offer any advantages over 1?

[@jc51373]

thing is, you had it on a Schiit Dac...Doesn't match up to this Pre if you ask me. What you heard was that revealing the weakness of that dac...I would have matched it with something tube or mellow SS. Schiit bi frost is entry level shite!

[@gw61]

I have the Brooklyn dac+. It came with an Apple remote. I also have Apple TV. Soooo when I’m changing things on my dac it’s also messing with the movie I’m watching. Seriously WTF were they thinking? Good review btw. I would like a listen on one of those.

[@hmcgrath100]

G W that’s incredibly unfortunate.If the LTA remote is lost or broken, it’s necessary to send the pre-amp back in to LTA to have the new remote programmed.

[@nicholastolson1699]

@@hmcgrath100 This is not true. You can re-pair any Apple Remote to an LTA amp my pressing and holding the Play/Pause button for ~25 seconds. We have this info in our product manuals and in the FAQs on our website. ~Nicholas from LTA

[@nicholastolson1699]

You can make it so the remote only controls one unit and the remotes don't conflict with one another. See the procedure here: forums.developer.apple.com/thread/19618 This works with our gear, I presume it would work with Mytek gear as well. ~ Nicholas from LTA

[@hmcgrath100]

Nicholas Tolson Thanks, Nicholas. I have an MZ2 and would swear I’ve read this somewhere credible. Thanks for the correction! Love my LTA!

[@FreeD00M]

I wonder what it would be like on the new Klipsch line (Heresy, Forte, Cornwall) as a main amp

[@nicholastolson1699]

We hope to be getting a pair of the Heresy IV in sometime soon, so I'll let you know. The Cornwalls would be the closest to working on paper (we recommend 105db+ for critical listening), but I have a customer with Cornwalls and he actually prefers our most powerful amp, the ZOTL40, with them. He has a very large room and likes to play loud, though. ~Nicholas @ LTA

[@hassabsaeed9993]

Which it was more powerful for the price , thanks for the awesome review :)

[@kamertonaudiophileplayer847]

The remote looks like from Shield TV. I use Shield TV instead of MacBook as a music source.

[@x32i77]

I wonder if you could here the difference between my dac/amp ( cocktail audio ha500h) and this one

[@2Bad.]

Sorry I'm so late to the party. Can someone please explain to me what putting the MZ3 into home theatre mode would do. My understanding is that "normally" when putting a preamp into HT mode you can share the built in amp with your HT system. For example, you could use the built in amps to power your rear surrounds in HT mode. I don't believe that this is the case here because who would want to use 1 watt with any HT rig. Cheers and thanks and advance.

[@micil1703]

Hi have you ever heard of garage1217 - tube headphones amps, they are excellent lots to choose from

[@franciscocunhaetavora9132]

The Zu Cubes and the MZ3 could be the uber desktop set-up.

[@biafid0rka]

Dont get it how It can sound beautiful when there are lamps inside :P

[@pennfootball71]

Imagine T2 Tower awould be fun to review becasue in that price rage 3500 bucks there is nothing really there in that space Klipsche Heresy 4? JBL L100's? My Monitor Gold 200's were 5k and the best I heard at that price point. There are lots of reviews on bookshelf speakers just say no. Do a proper 3 way!

[@mat.b.]

wow an old stock 1st gen Apple TV remote?? lol...

[@jeffbigbear1766]

Headphones really screw up good audiophile ears.

[@Newrecordday2013]

Ha! What makes you say that?

[@StewartMarkley]

Geof Bigbear I have used headphones for many years and also listened to music over speakers of course, and often listen at very high levels. High levels meaning the average SPL exceeding 100 dB, and have had nothing but normal age related hearing loss verified by audio grams because I worked for the military. This is because I always limit my exposure time to a single song, then listen to nothing or real quiet music to let the ears rest and recover before subjecting myself again. This is how to listen safely to loud music, something that most people fail to recognize. Unfortunately musicians cannot do this so they absolutely must use good earplugs, some of which are designed for musicians versus the standard earplugs used in the workplace.

[@sidvicious3129]

Geof, that’s not necessarily true, I try and match my headphone amp to my headphone amplifiers and I listen at low volumes. I also don’t listen everyday. The key here is to not bombard your ears with excessive loud noise for an extended period of time.

[@StewartMarkley]

sid vicious I don’t consider music as noise, but some people do 😆

[@twwgraphics689]

@@Newrecordday2013 Having a headphone speaker right next to your eardrum is not the great thing for your hearing. I suffer from Tinnitus and would never use them again. Ask Pete Townsend what he thinks of headphones. Its a risky thing Ron, you might not hear the affects now, but you MIGHT down the road. Use safely. www.head-fi.org/threads/pete-townshend-on-hearing-loss-and-headphones.153337/

[@OrganNLou]

While I appreciate that you do these reviews but do you realize that few of us are employed at this time because of coronavirus? Could you review things that we could afford?

[@mp29k]

J Tay do you think he just got this amp in last week?! 😆 I feel for the fact that you’re unemployed, but your comment doesn’t add any value when he regularly reviews affordable gear. Should all gear reviews for gear over $1000 stop since COVID-19 is causing layoffs??

[@sidvicious3129]

Hi J Tay, I’m truly sorry for not only your situation but for all of those people that fall into your situation. Ron does review low cost gear as well as medium to high price stuff and I think his purpose is to keep his show going as normal as possible to try and take people’s minds off of things. This was probably in his normal rotation of things to review and he eventually has to send the product back to the manufacturer. Hang in there J Tay and I truly hope things get back to normal for us all.