https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650004072-decware-zp3-zen-triode-phono-stage...

Thank you funch ! I messaged ZP3 owner and will now wait to hear back.

Congrats! That didn’t take too long. Now let the tube rolling madness begin!

Did you figure out the ZMC? I wanted one for a bit and wasn’t sure which one I needed. I ended up with a Ned Clayton Cinemag SUT that has 4 different settings and I’m glad I did. The whole time I was thinking I needed 1:20 and that would have been a mistake as 1:10 is the sweet spot for me.

Donnie, sorry for the delay getting back. If you have no experience with moving coils it can be a real challenge. For me, when it all comes together correctly it's very rewarding. If you're a casual listener or just sometimes listen to vinyl I'd stick with a moving magnet.

First step is determine which ZMC you have.



Now you can pick a cartridge to match according to that chart. I use a AT OC9/III. Not the be all, end all cart but I heard one at a friend's house and it was the sound I wanted.

I see you have Double Impacts, I've got Pendragons. I'm not 100% certain of this, maybe someone else can chime in. Before the ZP3 I had a Jolida JD9. The JD9 has a lot of gain and coupled with mid 90db speakers it was just too overpowering or overdriven vs relaxed and spacious. Once I got the ZP3 and the Cinemag SUT everything became smooth, settled, and inviting. My theory or guess is with high efficiency speakers you need to be careful with voltage going to the amp, too much and it can really make the speakers scream...some may like that, it wasn't good for me.

Hopefully that helps some.