THE ZMF OTL ; a collab with Decware brings an Endgame OTL tube amp with monster pre-amp features

[@thepig7192]

I just received mine yesterday and I'm speechless - it's absolutely amazing.. Seriously, there are so many things I could say about what an outstanding job ZMF & Decware have done on this one. I haven't heard anything like it. The only change I made to it was to swap the input tube with a Mullard NOS ECC88. Absolute perfection. Very well done.

[@ZMFheadphones]

So glad you're enjoying it. The sound is definitely magic with dynamic headphones.

[@LSDScreen]

I wholeheartedly agree. I've lived with this for a while. After CanJam, I pestered Zach until he'd sell me one. With most gear you're sacrificing some aspect in favor of another. This feels like a no-compromises design that somehow gives you cleanliness, linearity, detail, dynamism - all those things we associate with a great SS amp - but also the spaciousness, plushness, and liquidity we love about tubes. There's never a question of "oh it's very musical but all the edges are blunted" or whatnot. The accuracy is such that I would trust it for production work. Paired with the Atrium the experience is one of pure comfort and romanticism. I've also really enjoyed doing listening sessions with friends. Most of us who'd buy this amp have more than one 300 ohm headphone, so that makes it a no brainer for co-op. A very joyous experience.

[@johnratcliffe6438]

What source are you using?

[@christof8704]

Really enjoyed this amp at canjam chicago, was a highlight of the show for me

[@ZMFheadphones]

Thanks for coming by man!

[@disco4535]

Already have 4 pairs of ZMF cans. Might as well get this to go with them

[@ixoye56]

Beautiful work by Steve for sure 👍

[@kcmsterpce]

Thank you for the amazing breakdown on this beautiful device. Looking at the innards kinda made me get a little tickley in parts. In another reality, I'd be selecting the Purchase button RIGHT NOW! :D

[@ZMFheadphones]

The innards are a winner(ards).

[@wesspangler]

Great video Zach! I am really looking forward to hearing the new OTL at CanJam Dallas in November.

[@ZMFheadphones]

Looking forward to seeing you as well, I hope CanJam Dallas is aweseom.

[@samhor33]

Beautiful gear!! Will definitely get myself a pair of Zmf in the near future! 😊

[@jeeeeeeeefro]

Hey Zach! Have you ever tried replacing the Russian 6n6p with Amperex 7119/5687 and pinout adapters? A great option I rarely see but I’m finding it to add a bit of liquid smoothness and linearity to my Feliks amp/Eikon combo.

[@johngalt9989]

Just got my Caldera last Friday(sounds amazing!), and might be looking to upgrade my signal stream soon. This sounds pretty promising.

[@palefaced1]

What ELROG tube are you running in the og decware amp? Looks huge compared to the original!

[@dbrowdy]

Wow, sexy! I know you've been talking about doing a collab with Decware for ages now. Grats on finally pulling it off! Hope I get to hear one at some point, unlikely as it seems these days.

[@ZMFheadphones]

My man - I'd love that!

[@jucy060]

What decware model is to the left of the zmf reference at timestamp 9:30? It looks like the cps3 but I don't see an option for a VU meter on Decwares site. I love the look of the reference, but strongly dislike the look of the exposed caps. Otherwise it looks like a winner!

[@LSDScreen]

If any of y'all have a Focal that needs a soundstage boost and an extreme bass boost, this amp will do that for you. Maybe to a dangerous degree, but I got no driver clipping on my Radiance despite the impedence mismatch.

[@JohnKaess]

I feel like an idiot for asking, but what does OTL stand for?

[@zacharystokes]

I’ve heard that lead time on some Decware amps are very long. Can you speak to lead time on one of these?

[@palefaced1]

Crazy long. For anything headphone amp right now I think it's about 2 years.