New LFD Zero LE mkIV

I purchased the LFD Zero LE MKIV new about 3 weeks ago.

After a good three weeks of being left on, it looks like it's really come into its own. I've heard many SET amplifiers, including those based on the 45, 421A, 300B, and 2A3. I won't say the the LFD sounds like those -- but then again, every SET amplifier sounds a bit different anyway. But the LFD does sound remarkably similar.

The LFD also has a lit from within quality that I've only heard from a SET 45, a First Watt J2, and an Atma-sphere S-30.

A SET 45 has a bit more presence than the LFD but the LFD has better control. The J2 is more micro dynamically nimble, but on the other hand, the LFD has more body and not even a hint of stridency or fatigue. The S-30 is faster, but the LFD does not drink gallons of fossil fuels.

It has clarity, presence, transparency, speed, sweet and extended highs, micro and macro dynamics, great control over the low end. If I closed my eyes, the LFD would sound to me like one of the finest tube amplifiers and Class A solid state amps out there. Except it runs efficiently and cool to the touch.

My only complaint is that, like most integrated amps, it has pretty high gain -- and 38db of gain is really way over what I need. I wish there were a way to lower the gain and get back more range on the volume control. I've tried a pair of Rothwell attenuators, but it applies a coloration that I don't care for.

But that's my only complaint, and more to do with my system and not likely to be a challenge for most. It's a keeper.

Okay, I've probably said things like this before. But I really do mean it this time ... I'll write again in a few months and we'll see if I still have the same opinion then as I do now.

Your post makes for a very compelling reason for me to try it, especially given the other amps you have had a chance to listen to - very intriguing indeed, as I am always looking for an SS integrated I can live with.

I own the Atma M-60s and have enjoyed the XA30.5 and several Alephs (2 & 3) up to the J. A little intergrated that can be enjoyed by someone use to some the products from Ralph K. and Nelson P. must be a very fine piece of gear indeed. 40 watts, right?

I think it's rated at 60 wpc into 8 ohms. Input impedance is 20K ohms, which is not particularly flexible. But if you have sources less than 600 ohms output Z, then I think you're likely okay with a bit of room to spare.

Having said that, note that the preamp section is no more than a volume pot. All gain is in the amplifier section. So if you have a source which is known to not work well with passives, the LFD may not be a good choice.

It will take awhile to open up. In Sam Tellig's review of the MKIV, he says 1 week. I think it's more like 3 weeks -- but I wasn't playing music all day long, and Sam may very well have been exercising it more.

My system right now is:

Zu Soul Superfly
LFD LE MKIV integrated amplifier
Eastern Electric DAC Plus, with LM49990 opamps
2011 Mac Mini
Audirvana Plus music player with iTunes integration

The EE DAC with the LM49990 opamps is a bit edgy unless you use a great player like the Audirvana Plus, which comes with SRC and dithering by Izotope. You can set up minimum phase, apodizing filters etc. which gives you a smooth top end with no fatigue.

I am surprised that the little EE DAC is as good as it is, but it is only true when I'm using Audirvana. I suspect it would also be good with Fidelia and Amarra, but PureMusic would not be a good match. I have heard / owned all of these players, and I find PureMusic is better for systems that are a bit veiled, where Audirvana, Amarra and Fidelia are better for systems that may be too lit up. In this case, the Sabre DAC chip is certainly on the brighter side of things.

Hi. I found this small piece by the reclusive Dr. Bews (LFD founder and designer) which might be of interest re the differences between the Zero LE Mk4.0 and the Zero Signature. http://lfd4u.com/blog/2013/04/30/the-differences-between-the-lfd-audio-zero-le-mk4-0-and-the-lfd-zero-signature/