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  1. #1
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    Linear Tube Audio ZOTL40 Reference amplifier?

    Any thoughts on this EL34 based amp? I know it’s probably not as sweet as the typical EL34 amp.

    I wasn’t really crazy about the original LTA Microzotl MZ preamp/headphone amp. A little too sterile for me, even with NOS tubes and upgrades.

    I’m looking for 20wpc to possibly 40wpc of sweet and easy (zero to low maintenance) tube goodness.


    ZOTL40 Reference Amplifier - Vacuum Tube Power Amp — Linear Tube Audio
    Last edited by joeinid; May 22, 2021 at 10:17 AM.
    Fleetwood Deville by Oswald Mills Audio, Vienna Acoustics Haydn Jubilee, Wharfedale Linton w/ stands, Klipsch RB-75, Klipsch RP-160M.

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    First Watt SIT-3, Job 250 Monos, NuForce STA200, AkitikA GT-102 amp, ASL Wave monos, Dennis Had 45 monos. Absolute Audio Labs PCF 25 amp (improved First Watt F7 super clone)

    Topping D90, RME Audio ADI-2 DAC FS, ModWright Ultimate Sony XA-5400ES.

    Burmester 948, McIntosh MCLK12, Kimber Kable, Siltech, Cardas, Avanti Audio cables.

  2. #2
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    Re: Linear Tube Audio ZOTL40 Reference amplifier?

    Quote Originally Posted by joeinid View Post
    ...I’m looking for 20wpc to possibly 40wpc of sweet and easy (zero to low maintenance) tube goodness.
    ymmv but ... tube goodness = single-ended-triode amplification.

    to get north of 20wpc in SET land one is looking at 211 and 845 output tubes. there is also the 6c33c tubes which are ~18wpc. however, fwiw: the manufacturer of my 97 dB speakers recommends:

    Recommended Power:
    5 - 50 high-volt tube watts
    50 - 250 transistor watts

    absolutely no clue as to why the difference but it appears all wpc are not created equal. so, you might be able to relax your min wpc constraint, thereby, increasing the universe of output tubes to consider. worth checking out if you are going down this route.

    also, the wpc you actually need is not only a factor of speaker sensitivity but also listening level, room size, etc, etc. according to one SET amp manufacturer i spoke with, the power needs of customers with the same sensitivity speakers can differ by a factor of 10 due to these other considerations.

    in terms of low maintenance: auto biasing is definitely good for that ...and, the the fewer tubes the better. my almarro a318b is an integrated SET amp with only 4 tubes!! in addition to being more economical, this makes it quite easy to troubleshoot any tube issues should they occur.

    enjoy!!
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  3. #3
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    Re: Linear Tube Audio ZOTL40 Reference amplifier?

    With your stated needs, Viva IMO....
    DPT4ME - Dynamics, Presence & Tone for Musical Engagement; MBP (3) - stripped down for music only; Shunyata Omega & Sigma USBs; ISO REGEN w/short Curious USB links; Berkeley Alpha USB; Aqua La Scala II Optologic DAC; Schiit Yggdrasil - fully updated; Ayre Codex dac - updated; Pass Labs INT-60 integrated amp; Wyred 4 Sound STP-SE-2 preamp, Quicksilver Mono 120 amps w/Tung-Sol KT150s; Quicksilver Mid Mono amps w/Gold Lion KT77s; Fyne Audio 703s; Symposium Svelte Plus & Ultra Platforms; REL S-812 subwoofers; Duelund DCA12GA speaker cables; AV Room Service EVPs, Stein Music Harmonizers, Duelund DCA16GA & 20GA ICs; Shunyata Denali 6000S/V2; Tripp Lite PCs; Wyred 4 Sound power cords; AudioDharma cable cooker; dedicated custom room; various GIK & ASC room treatments; etc.

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  4. #4
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    Re: Linear Tube Audio ZOTL40 Reference amplifier?

    I like the Viva suggestion. Thank you Jim.

    Thank you aKnyght.
    Fleetwood Deville by Oswald Mills Audio, Vienna Acoustics Haydn Jubilee, Wharfedale Linton w/ stands, Klipsch RB-75, Klipsch RP-160M.

    Job INTegrated. Luxman L-595aSE

    NAD C 658 streamer.

    First Watt SIT-3, Job 250 Monos, NuForce STA200, AkitikA GT-102 amp, ASL Wave monos, Dennis Had 45 monos. Absolute Audio Labs PCF 25 amp (improved First Watt F7 super clone)

    Topping D90, RME Audio ADI-2 DAC FS, ModWright Ultimate Sony XA-5400ES.

    Burmester 948, McIntosh MCLK12, Kimber Kable, Siltech, Cardas, Avanti Audio cables.

  5. #5
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    Re: Linear Tube Audio ZOTL40 Reference amplifier?

    Yeah, if the LTA MZ2 wasn't sweet enough I'd go a different direction - Jadis comes to mind. It's like a ray of sunshine type sound. Excellent transformers for bass control. There is a 35 watt version that might be perfect.

    In fact, if I try a tube amp again that's my likely path. I'm still kicking myself for not buying a friend's i50.
    Brinkmann Bardo w/ EMT HSD-006 cart, MSB Reference DAC --> Linear Tube Audio MicroZOTL --> Ampzilla 2000, 2nd Edition --> Fyne Audio F1-12

  6. #6
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    Re: Linear Tube Audio ZOTL40 Reference amplifier?

    Air Tight ATM-1S

  7. #7
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    Re: Linear Tube Audio ZOTL40 Reference amplifier?

    Joe, 845 tubes sound grade with Serblin. I’ve heard great things about Aeries Cerat. Viva might not be powerful enough. The MasterSound Evolution is around 60 wpc in parallel SET. I’m loving my MasterSound PF100’s, putting out 120 watts each of 845 PSET goodness.

  8. #8
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    Re: Linear Tube Audio ZOTL40 Reference amplifier?

    I bet the MasterSound are insane. Always did want to try them but I seem to circle in and out of tubes. I wanted something as plug and play as possible but then realize it might not be the sound I’m looking for.

    I need to be patient. My Luxman 595 could be here next week.
    Fleetwood Deville by Oswald Mills Audio, Vienna Acoustics Haydn Jubilee, Wharfedale Linton w/ stands, Klipsch RB-75, Klipsch RP-160M.

    Job INTegrated. Luxman L-595aSE

    NAD C 658 streamer.

    First Watt SIT-3, Job 250 Monos, NuForce STA200, AkitikA GT-102 amp, ASL Wave monos, Dennis Had 45 monos. Absolute Audio Labs PCF 25 amp (improved First Watt F7 super clone)

    Topping D90, RME Audio ADI-2 DAC FS, ModWright Ultimate Sony XA-5400ES.

    Burmester 948, McIntosh MCLK12, Kimber Kable, Siltech, Cardas, Avanti Audio cables.

  9. #9
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    Re: Linear Tube Audio ZOTL40 Reference amplifier?

    The Luxman seems like it would be perfect! Did your Accordo’s arrive?

  10. #10
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    Re: Linear Tube Audio ZOTL40 Reference amplifier?

    Accordo are scheduled for sometime next month.
    Fleetwood Deville by Oswald Mills Audio, Vienna Acoustics Haydn Jubilee, Wharfedale Linton w/ stands, Klipsch RB-75, Klipsch RP-160M.

    Job INTegrated. Luxman L-595aSE

    NAD C 658 streamer.

    First Watt SIT-3, Job 250 Monos, NuForce STA200, AkitikA GT-102 amp, ASL Wave monos, Dennis Had 45 monos. Absolute Audio Labs PCF 25 amp (improved First Watt F7 super clone)

    Topping D90, RME Audio ADI-2 DAC FS, ModWright Ultimate Sony XA-5400ES.

    Burmester 948, McIntosh MCLK12, Kimber Kable, Siltech, Cardas, Avanti Audio cables.

  11. #11
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    Re: Linear Tube Audio ZOTL40 Reference amplifier?

    The ZOTL 40 is getting an upgrade. Now in BETA Testing with some users. Suppose to be quite a step up in performance according to one of the BETA testers on A-Gon.
    Amps: First Watt SIT-3, Pass XA25, Valvet E2 SE, LTA ZOTL40, First Watt SIT-1 Mono's, ARC Ref75SE, Decware Zen TorII MK4, Line Magnetic 845 Premium, Raven Reflection MK2, Audio Hungary Qualiton X200, Kingko 101Pro, Audio Hungary Qualiton I50

    Pre-Amps: Luxman 900U, Coda 07X, ARC MP-1 Multi-Channel, Conrad Johnson Met-1 Multi-Channel

    Disc Spinners: Luxman D-10X, Ayre DX5, Oppo 105/205

    Speakers: Cube Audio Nenuphar Mini, Fleetwood Deville, Volti Razz, Spendor Classic 100, Rosso Fiorentino Certaldo 2, Klipsch Cornwall IV, Harbeth SHL5+, Harbeth C7XD, Omega Compact 8, Triangle Comete 40th Anniversary, Audio Solutions Figaro M, Graham LS3/5A


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  12. #12
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    Re: Linear Tube Audio ZOTL40 Reference amplifier?

    This has to be a killer amp. Thinking of doing an in home demo some time for the last dance to my system.
    _______________

    Main Room: Fleetwood Sound Co. Deville SQ < Bakoon AMP-51R | < Mola Mola Tambaqui < Grimm Audio MU1
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Linear Tube Audio ZOTL40 Reference amplifier?

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