LTA micro zotl preamp

kw6, I think that we are getting mixed up with naming. Admittedly, LTA does not make it easy.  I assume that you just purchased the new micro ZOTL preamp.  I owned the older MZ2 unit, which was an integrated amp but many guys used it as a preamp.  I was asking you to compare the two, if possible.

While I enjoyed the MZ2 and it was very quiet, I found the midrange to be somewhat sterile and dry compared to my current DHT preamp.  I have no complaints about the DHT pre except that it does get a little noisy when using very low power SET amps, such as those I own that are powered by a single 71A or 45 tube.

@br3098 

I own both, the MZ2 and the new MicroZOTL Preamp. The refinements in the new preamp make outperform the MZ2 by a sizable margin. There is nothing sterile or dry but I am using it with LTA’s UltraLinear amp and the synergy there. The sound is amazing. 

The MZ2 was originally meant to be a headphone amp. Then with a little tweaking was built with the capability of being used as a 1 watt amp and a no frills preamp. It is very good at all of functions, far better than its price would indicate and is the Swiss Army knife of audio.

Lance

Can anyone speak to the level of ultimate transparency of the new MicroZOTL Preamp??
I’m currently used to DAC w/ VC straight to amp. Am interested in adding a tubed pre but would really like to keep the clean, clear and completely transparent type aspects of a DAC>amp senario...

@jriggy 

If you do a little research on David Berning designed amplification you will find a common thread. Complete transparency, blackest background, just totally quiet in all the right ways. This new preamp has these qualities in spades. I have been a fan of amplifer direct from my DAC for some time but this new preamp just makes my amp sound better. Forget about being concerned with an additional component in the chain.

Here is another thread TJ started:
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/the-new-magnificent-linear-tube-audio-microzotl-preamplifier

Thanks @lancelock 

I’ll look up his past work. Your comments help.

I always had a preamp but this past year, I’ve been running DAC w/ vol control, the clear window transparency is great. I’ll put a pre back in and definitely get a little more density and presence...but at the cost of reaching all the way into the recording —you know the rub.  Sure, the added quality a pre brings is great but it fades and I end up listening harder, searching fro those innerspace details and then just go direct again... I’m hoping for the best of both worlds.

Thnks for the link. I do know about that thread and should of posted there instead for possibly more responses.