Article: Review: Linear Tube Audio Z10e Integrated Electrostatic/Magnetic Headphone/Speaker Amplifier

[mourip]

Great review and certainly an accurate reflection of the quality coming from LTA.

 

Many years ago on Head-Fi I was hearing good things about David Berning's MicroZotl headphone amp ...with speaker outs and 1 killer watt. I gave him a call with the idea of visiting as he lives in my area. That never happened and my audio journey took me through many other HP amps. About 7 years ago my living situation changed and I could have a speaker based system once again. I tried many things: a couple of Pass First Watt amps, a class D amp, DHT preamp, 300B amp.  I just could not get it right. I wanted detail with an engaging mid-range plus tonal accuracy. By this time I was also already down the computer audio rabbit hole.

 

About 3 years ago I found out that LTA was reissuing David's MicroZotl as the MZ2. It turns out that LTA is located near me. By nearby I mean that I could probably walk there, an 8 minute drive in urban traffic. The short version is that the owner Mark Schneider offered to bring an MZ2 and a Z10 amp to my home for an audition in my own room with my own speakers and front end. I was hooked. I sold my DHT preamp and Pass Fist Watt SIT2 amp and bought the equipment from him. After this I would occasionally drop by to see what was new. I eventually bought his new MZ Preamp and his Ultralinear amp. Mark even came over several more times to tweak my setup and I gave him some feedback on the MZ Pre which he eventually folded into the final production model. I even kept the MZ2 for headphone use in my office.

 

The LTA equipment is remarkably transparent, quiet and detailed with just the right amount of engaging mid-range warmth. Tube rolling with NOS tubes lifts it to another level and upstream changes are easily heard. With no music playing the equipment is absolutely silent with my 97db speakers.

 

AFAIK the Z10e is a modified and updated version of the original Z10 model that I first owned.

 

Did I say that I can heartily recommend LTA?

[mourip]

On 2/2/2020 at 5:29 PM, Middy said:

But there are a hell of headphones all the same, so its lovely to see some higherend jewellery and one of the rare dual systems as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Agreed about seeing more HP amps and integrated amps.

One nice thing about LTA is that they but their money where the music is. No "audio jewelry" or bling.

 

[mourip]

8 hours ago, MarkS said:

Great review. I heard this integrated amp at the last Capital Audio Fest and thought it sounded superb too. I slightly preferred some HiFi Man electrostats as I recall, but not significantly. 
 

Are there any well regarded very small high efficient speakers (stand mount monitors preferred)?  My reference Boenike W5 need vastly more power. 
 

Also, the balanced input pictured looks different from what I’m used to?? Is that a standard balanced input?

Omega Audio specializes in small, crossoverless, high efficiency speakers. I have owned two pair and they are ideal for the LTA amps. I have used the LTA Z10 amp and the Ultralinear amp.