Jeff of Arabica
Seasoned Member
Name the greatest of all inventors... Accident.
Posts: 968
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To set the stage, the Torii Jr. that this ZMA replaced was not outfitted with a stock tube setup. The most notable difference was a pair of 1975 Reflektor 6N23P SWGP Silver Shields, aka "Holy Grails." The other substitute was the USAF 596 rectifier tube. I kept the EL34's to take advantage of the CCE mod, but have not done any rolling in those sockets to evaluate other options.
On the other hand, the ZMA is entirely stock.
So, while not the best A/B comparison - since I deviated from Steve's voicing of the Torii Jr. amp with my tube choices - there are some features of the ZMA's differences that I believe are not attributable to the stock vs rolled tube lineup.
BASS Immediately apparent was the BASS difference. The ZMA and Torii Jr. are not even in the same class when it comes to the bass drive. It is significantly more dense and powerful with the ZMA - at the same listening levels. This is of course through my Monoliths. Often I would augment my 2-channel listening with bass produced through my very musical Vienna Acoustics sealed Subson subwoofer. With the Torii Jr., the "midrange option" I chose on my DM946's produced a considerable mid-range presence (as it was designed to). However, without the bass to balance the mid's and high's on my Monoliths, I would often inject some subwoofer bass which brought the right balance when the mid and top ranges were overwhelming. Up until now, I just assumed it was the speakers limitation. The Monoliths had bass with my TJ, just not enough to create that balance in my room with my system. With the ZMA, my monoliths came alive! The base is tight and deep. I can actual feel the bass which was just not possible with the TJ unless I turned it up to an uncomfortable level, and then the mids/highs were unbearable. For anyone curious as to how the Monoliths pair with the ZMA - fantastically! I am moving the Monoliths to my rear channels for 5.1 once my new Omega Super Alnico High Outputs arrive. I hope that they can fulfill the same bass role as these Monoliths without having to once again rely on my sub for 2-ch listening. Bass... better! Enough said.
DYNAMICS The ZMA has the edge in this category as well. Overall, with what I have heard so far, the ZMA is simply ballsier across the board. The energy creates a speed and contrast in volumes that is superior. This was not huge, but definitely noticeable.
NATURALNESS The amp just sounds more real. I felt more submersed in the music than I had prior with the TJ, which was very accurate the way it was tubed, but if I closed my eyes, I would be fooled more by the ZMA as being in a live performance.
WARMTH Compared to the Torii Jr., the ZMA was significantly warmer. Now, I can't remember the stock sound of the TJ, so this could be a product of how I modified the sound with my tube rolling. For those who lean toward a warmer sound signature, this will please them. For me, it may be a smidge on the warm side so I do plan to roll some input tubes and evaluate the changes. I picked up (4) sister tubes to my Holy Grails, the 1974 version that I will put in place of the stock tubes. I love the sound regardless, so even if it remains stock, I won't be disappointed. But if I could shave off a hint of the warmth I think I would be in my ultimate happy zone. With its warmth, it still has awesome definition and is not opaque or muddy. It's also very listenable with zero fatigue. I hope if I do reduce the warmth slightly, that it won't affect this aspect of the amp. This also could self resolve with the Omegas once they arrive.
That is it for now. These were the most apparent and easy to identify differences. More commentary will require more listening across different sources and music types.
All in all, the ZMA is a very transparent, articulate, and musical amp that I am so far VERY pleased with.
The Torii Jr. (with my speakers and room configuration) is a great amp and I am by no means unhappy with the sound. Everything around the amp equal, having spent a little bit of time with the ZMA, it will remain as my new 2-channel amplifier over the Torii Jr.
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