Avantgarde Zero XD

**Mike** · October 23, 2015, 01:53 PM

Extremely well packed.
Extremely well engineered.
A snap to set up.
Sexy remote.
Complete configurability for bass to "dial in" to any room.
Big bass sound!
Loads of digital inputs and analog too.
Sweet sound!
Sound awesome!!

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**nicoludio** · October 23, 2015, 02:19 PM

Amazing! Don't normally see the black finish version - even the remote comes in a matching colour. Do you have shots of the back panel - is that the same as the Zero One/Pro?

How close does the Zero XD get to the Mezzo XD? Given the digital crossover and DSP, do they sound more coherent and neutral compared to the larger AG XD horns?

**Mike** · October 23, 2015, 03:21 PM

Originally Posted by nfnc

Amazing! Don't normally see the black finish version - even the remote comes in a matching colour. Do you have shots of the back panel - is that the same as the Zero One/Pro?

How close does the Zero XD get to the Mezzo XD? Given the digital crossover and DSP, do they sound more coherent and neutral compared to the larger AG XD horns?

They have the same great sound as the bigger speakers, without the last ounce of dispersion however due to the smaller horn. Meaning, they don't quite play as "big" as their bigger Brothers, BUT they fill the room as good as anything I've had in here. So, to answer your question: CLOSE!

They sound like a slightly smaller version of what I heard at RMAF with my speakers and the Avantgarde electronics. Dead quiet, with a sonic character I would state is "sweet".

With the Uno, Duo and of course, Trio, you don't hear any cabinet whatsoever. It's a miraculous "live"'sound. The Zero's have a tiny bit of cabinet sound because the horn is contained within a cabinet, but this speaker is still much much resistant than many traditional "cone & dome" speakers.

For $21,950, no amp, no preamp, no cables (except for USB and CAT5e/6/7), I can't think of any better complete systems for the same price, even double. Add a source (vinyl or digital) and go! Awesome sound! Awesome!

I think there are a number of reviews out there too.

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**Mike** · October 23, 2015, 03:22 PM

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**asiufy** · October 23, 2015, 03:26 PM

Agree with Mike 100%!
The only downside of the Zeros in relation to the big ones is that, because of the "all in one" enclosure, they don't play as loud (or as effortlessly) as the big ones.
But the cabinet itself is a work of art. The touch is exquisite, the kind of compound that they're using is smooooooth, and looks gorgeous too. And best of all, since they're not that heavy, you can play around with positioning very easily, and move them about the room!
An Auralic or an Aurender + one of those = music heaven

**mep** · October 23, 2015, 04:01 PM

Say Mike-what's that yellow dingleberry hanging out of your wall socket?

**Mike** · October 23, 2015, 04:13 PM

Originally Posted by mep

Say Mike-what's that yellow dingleberry hanging out of your wall socket?

Ah...a RCA cable that runs from to the TV on the other side of the room. I used it for a subwoofer many moons ago.

**mep** · October 23, 2015, 04:46 PM

Your setup looks great by the way. JV reviewed those speakers a few months ago and it was pretty much a rave.

**Mike** · October 23, 2015, 04:56 PM

Originally Posted by mep

Your setup looks great by the way. JV reviewed those speakers a few months ago and it was pretty much a rave.

Thanks Mark. Add a source and go. They really sound superb. The bass goes LOW!

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**annapolis Raider** · October 23, 2015, 05:24 PM

As to anyone who has concerns about them playing loud enough, I'm using a pair of these in a 30 x 60 ft loft space, with 14 ft ceilings. No problem filling the space with sound. VERY VERY happy with my Zeros

**CPP** · October 24, 2015, 08:13 AM

Amazing what they can do with Polyurethane these days. What a cool all in one system.

**nicoludio** · October 24, 2015, 12:25 PM

Thanks, Mike and Alex.

Have listened extensively to the UNO Fino driven by a Silbatone 300B 8W SET. If the Zero XDs get close to that sound, that would be amazing. Armin reckons that the Zero would actually be more dynamic due to its 12" woofer.

To think that I had initially thought of it as a lifestyle product - even my dealer markets it as such.

**asiufy** · October 24, 2015, 02:29 PM

Well, it *is* a lifestyle product, if you think about it. I believe that was Avantgarde's intention. The "problem" is, they don't know how to make a bad product

So it turned out great! I heard that they sold something like 30 of those in one Berlin dealer alone!

It's pretty clear now that the Zero was the "testing ground" for the XD technology now employed throughout the range. A very wise decision!

**nicoludio** · October 24, 2015, 02:51 PM

Ha ha. Yes, an overachieving lifestyle product. Heard that it contributes about a third of AG's turnover.

One wishes though that it had used the new XD series adjustment method via a rotary selector and menu instead of a DIP switch.

**Yoga** · November 30, 2015, 07:23 AM

Quite tempted by these for my lounge. All in ones are very tempting indeed!

Can you get better sound using separates for the money though?

**Jim Smith** · November 30, 2015, 12:15 PM

Originally Posted by Yoga

Quite tempted by these for my lounge. All in ones are very tempting indeed!

Can you get better sound using separates for the money though?

Not in my experience, though others may have a heard a better package of components (!) that excels at a lower price.

For myself, I can not imagine any combo of components at this price or lower that can compete.

**Yoga** · November 30, 2015, 12:18 PM

Originally Posted by Jim Smith

Not in my experience, though others may have a heard a better package of components (!) that excels at a lower price.

For myself, I can not imagine any combo of components at this price or lower that can compete.

Time to plant some seeds in the wife's mind... :¬)

**nicoludio** · November 30, 2015, 12:57 PM

You should have a listen. While I had initially dismissed them as being too design oriented, listening to them recently was an astonishing experience.

Btw, the XD version would have full range bandless parametric equalisation (not just +/- 4dB bass adjustment) plus, in Q1 2016, a mike based room correction.

**Yoga** · November 30, 2015, 01:29 PM

Originally Posted by nfnc

You should have a listen. While I had initially dismissed them as being too design oriented, listening to them recently was an astonishing experience.

Btw, the XD version would have full range bandless parametric equalisation (not just +/- 4dB bass adjustment) plus, in Q1 2016, a mike based room correction.

I can't seem to see the XD version mentioned in the UK, or even on the AG website. Pro 1 seems to be the model. Is it the same thing?

**Mike** · November 30, 2015, 01:42 PM

Originally Posted by Yoga

I can't seem to see the XD version mentioned in the UK, or even on the AG website. Pro 1 seems to be the model. Is it the same thing?

No. AV has yet to update their website.

**nicoludio** · November 30, 2015, 02:36 PM

Zero XD = Zero 1 Pro + Analog board (optional on Zero 1 Pro) + Zero XD software.

This details how flexible the XD software is with respect to its EQ abilities (full range only for the Zero XD).

ZERO_CONTROL-XD-update-en.pdf

**Yoga** · November 30, 2015, 03:21 PM

Thanks, that analog board means I can employ the Lumin A1 as the DAC/source I presume?

How good is the onboard DAC? Obviously it will be optimised for the speakers!

**Jim Smith** · November 30, 2015, 05:07 PM

Originally Posted by Yoga

Thanks, that analog board means I can employ the Lumin A1 as the DAC/source I presume?

How good is the onboard DAC? Obviously it will be optimised for the speakers!

When I heard them at Mike's I wasn't aware of the sound of the dac. The entire sound was cohesive and musical, with that special 'alive' quality, very involving musically. I found myself thinking, do I really want or need more than this?

And then I remembered the DUO Mezzos we had just voiced upstairs...

**Yoga** · November 30, 2015, 05:14 PM

Thanks, perhaps then the Lumin is an unnecessary pairing (no idea if you can use it as a streamer only - no dac).

**MDP** · November 30, 2015, 05:49 PM

Originally Posted by Yoga

Thanks, perhaps then the Lumin is an unnecessary pairing (no idea if you can use it as a streamer only - no dac).

Mike was feeding it with his Aurender I think. But a Lumin would work great too.

**Jim Smith** · November 30, 2015, 06:12 PM

It was the Aurender that I heard with the Zeros.

**Yoga** · November 30, 2015, 06:41 PM

Originally Posted by MDP

Mike was feeding it with his Aurender I think. But a Lumin would work great too.

Thanks fellas!

Mark - are you using the stock or upgraded PSU for your A1?

Yes, Mike recommends the N100.

Can the Lumin be used as network source only? Apologies for my ignorance here, only had the units a few days!

**asiufy** · November 30, 2015, 07:21 PM

We've used several different streamers and computers with the Zero 1, always with great success. We've even hooked up, in a pinch, the Toslink output of an Apple Airport Express, and were able to stream from Tidal, using Apple's Airplay! Of course, not the best of quality, but useable!

I've used Aurenders (N100 and X100), Auralic Aries (regular and now the Mini), as well as assorted Macs. A customer wanted to play CDs, so we hooked up an MSB transport, via SPDIF, as well.

I agree with Jim re: his immediate reaction... "Do I really need anything more than this?". I mean, it does so many things right, that you kinda forget the whole "pursuit" part of the hobby...

**Yoga** · November 30, 2015, 07:25 PM

Originally Posted by asiufy

We've used several different streamers and computers with the Zero 1, always with great success. We've even hooked up, in a pinch, the Toslink output of an Apple Airport Express, and were able to stream from Tidal, using Apple's Airplay! Of course, not the best of quality, but useable!

I've used Aurenders (N100 and X100), Auralic Aries (regular and now the Mini), as well as assorted Macs. A customer wanted to play CDs, so we hooked up an MSB transport, via SPDIF, as well.

I agree with Jim re: his immediate reaction... "Do I really need anything more than this?". I mean, it does so many things right, that you kinda forget the whole "pursuit" part of the hobby...

A genuine one-stop solution. Even more tempting knowing it's not too fussy over the source.

**nicoludio** · December 1, 2015, 12:59 AM

Btw, if it matters to you , the USB input is good only for signals up to 16/48 kHz whereas the other inputs accept 24/192 kHz signals.

**nicoludio** · December 1, 2015, 01:15 AM

Duplicate post.

**Yoga** · December 1, 2015, 06:02 AM

Originally Posted by nfnc

Btw, if it matters to you , the USB input is good only for signals up to 16/48 kHz whereas the other inputs accept 24/192 kHz signals.

Good to know, thanks.

**Mike** · December 1, 2015, 07:37 AM

Originally Posted by nfnc

Btw, if it matters to you , the USB input is good only for signals up to 16/48 kHz whereas the other inputs accept 24/192 kHz signals.

Edited.

**nicoludio** · December 1, 2015, 11:47 AM

That's good to know and does open up the possibility to more USB sources with higher resolution files.

Strange that the factory did not mention this when I asked about the differences between the Zero Pro and Zero XD recently.

**asiufy** · December 1, 2015, 02:14 PM

Mike,

At least over here, on an original Zero 1 Pro, it will accept 24/192 over the USB, but it will downsample.

**Mike** · December 1, 2015, 02:41 PM

Well, I stand corrected. nfnc was right. The USB is 16/44 and does down sample higher res files. The REASON is that the room eq software which is controlled via the USB, wouldn't work with a higher res USB connection. Therefore, once again, the recommendation is to use AES/EBU. Personally, I'm using the USB from the Aurender N100H and it sounds superb.

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**asiufy** · December 1, 2015, 02:51 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

Well, I stand corrected. nfnc was right. The USB is 16/44 and does down sample higher res files. The REASON is that the room eq software which is controlled via the USB, wouldn't work with a higher res USB connection. Therefore, once again, the recommendation is to use AES/EBU. Personally, I'm using the USB from the Aurender N100H and it sounds superb.

That it sounds great, I agree

I could even play DSD converted on the fly, and it still sounded pretty decent.

**KeithR** · February 15, 2016, 03:13 PM

hey guys- how does a TT sound through the analog input?

**Mike** · February 15, 2016, 03:16 PM

Originally Posted by KeithR

hey guys- how does a TT sound through the analog input?

GREAT! You need a phono with XLR outputs OR use RCA2XLR adaptors. I use the Cardas ones, but frankly, my OCD wants to move to a phono with XLR outputs for that system.

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**Mike** · April 26, 2016, 04:03 PM

https://parttimeaudiophile.com/2016/...-horrible-end/

**Midnight Rambler** · May 15, 2016, 11:14 PM

I found this on the Avantgarde website. In the document they stress not using USB. I am not familiar with the USB to SPIDF interface they suggest but it is an inexpensive solution.

**nicoludio** · May 16, 2016, 02:22 PM

AG prefers AES/EBU and SPDIF to USB. However, they have also said that, depending on the specific implementation, USB can be as good as SPDIF. Mike and asuify have used the Zero with the Aurender N100H and are happy with the sound.

I have been using the SPDIF output from the Lumin A1 and recently acquired a Melco N1A. Fresh from the box and using generic USB cables, sound from the USB output is almost as good as the SPDIF output from the Lumin.

Until the Melco is fully broken in and I start using better USB cables, I can't say which is better. Its a different presentation; some bits are preferable with the USB input, some with SPDIF input. At some stage, I might try the Mutec MC3+ USB to convert the USB output from the Melco to AES/EBU.

Btw, the Hiface is a legacy product. The latest version is the Hiface Two (http://www.m2tech.biz/it/hiface2.html). It was popular at some stage but apparently there were some driver issues when used with the latest Mac OS (El Capitan).

**Mike** · December 24, 2016, 12:29 AM

**nicoludio** · December 26, 2016, 08:24 AM

According to AG, that is a "special edition" of ZERO XD. Just cosmetic changes though; the exterior color is the corporate color of famous Dutch interior designer Eric Kuster. It's a shimmering silk matt color that changes between silver, gold and bronze hues depending on ambient light.

**Mike** · December 26, 2016, 11:59 AM

Sexy! Oh, and the speaker is nice looking too.

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**baylisstic** · February 3, 2018, 09:41 AM

Hi all,

does it work connecting a preamp to the analogue input?

Cheers
baylisstic

**joeinid** · February 3, 2018, 06:44 PM

Welcome to the forum, thank you for joining.

**Mike** · February 3, 2018, 06:49 PM

Originally Posted by baylisstic

Hi all,

does it work connecting a preamp to the analogue input?

Cheers
baylisstic

Just need Source.

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**baylisstic** · February 9, 2018, 02:42 PM

Hey Joe,

thanks for welcoming.
Think this is the right place to be.

Greets
baylisstic

**baylisstic** · February 9, 2018, 02:46 PM

Hi Mike,

I know a source is enough to let them swing,
but for some reason I thought about using a preamp.

baylisstic

Thread: Avantgarde Zero XD