Linear Tube Audio Z40 Integrated Amp. It Will Transform The Way You Think About Tube Sound Seriously
The LTA Z40 is not your Dad’s Futterman OTL Amp. It is so much better than that. Dynamic, detailed and very accurate. This was my first experience with a ZOTL amp it is remarkable.
For more info on the Z40 Visit: https://www.lineartubeaudio.com/products/z40-integrated-amplifier
The music featured in this video:
• Jenna Mammina & Rolf Sturm, “Wicked” :https://tidal.com/browse/album/334564173?u
• John Scofield & Pat Metheny, “I Can See Your House From Here” : https://tidal.com/browse/album/158317?u
• Seiji Ozawa, Boston Symphony Orchestra, “Bartók’s The Miraculous Mandarin Suite” :https://tidal.com/browse/track/5593262?u
All of my reviews are completely subjective. They are my opinion and not to be taken as criticism or as negative. I can only share my feelings and personal conclusions. No one has any influence over my reviews or conclusions. I do not accept payment for reviews.
If you wish to join the channel and become a member please click here: https://www.youtube.com/@OldGuyHifi/membership
*DISCLOSURE: Some of the links below contain affiliate Amazon links. If you purchase with those links, I do receive a small commission but, it doesn’t affect your price or your ability to return something. Thank you for supporting the channel.
Current audio equipment list:
Amplifiers:
• Cambridge AXR-100 Receiver: https://shop.skylabsaudio.com?sca_ref=6609663.MTejnTqC6497
• Cambridge EVO150: https://shop.skylabsaudio.com?sca_ref=6609663.MTejnTqC6497
• Black Ice Audio F22 KT88 Integrated Tube Amp: https://blackiceaudio.com/integrated-amplifers-1/p/black-ice-fusion-f22v2-tubeintegrated
DACs:
• LAIV Harmony R2R DAC: https://www.laiv.audio/harmony-dac
• Geshelli Labs J2S Socketed AKM4499 DAC: https://geshelli.com/product/jnog2-socketed-j2s/
• Sparkos Dual Discrete Op Amp SS3602: https://sparkoslabs.com/product/dual-discrete-op-amp-ss3602/
• Geshelli Labs Dayzee: https://geshelli.com/dayzee/
• Sparkos Pro Discrete Op Amp SS2590: https://sparkoslabs.com/product/pro-discrete-op-amp-ss2590/
Speakers:
• Wharfedale Diamond 12.4 Speakers: https://amzn.to/3WberDp
• Elac Debut Reference 62 (DBR62) speakers: https://amzn.to/3VyQzcu
• Neil Blanchard Designs MLTL-6 Stand mount speaker: https://www.nbdesigns.work
Streamers:
• My main streaming source is a small format PC: https://amzn.to/3yhCoAI
• Cambridge MXN10: https://amzn.to/3XEWkb1
• FiiO S15 Streamer DAC: https://www.fiio.com/s15
• Alpha Audio, Alpha One Streamer DAC: https://www.alphaaudiocanada.com/#programs
Analog:
• Fluance RT-84 turntable: https://amzn.to/4aMuZrt.
• Audio Technica AT540ML MM Cart: https://amzn.to/4diAyzy
• Audio Technica AT-OC9XEN MC Cart: https://amzn.to/3C0PCna
Accessories:
• iFi AC iPurifier: https://amzn.to/3UWb4ko
• All line level cables are from World’s Best Cable. I primarily use Mogami 2964 Wire and Amphenol ACPL connectors: https://amzn.to/3JWCDE9
My main desktop gear:
• FiiO K9AKM Desktop Headphone Amp/DAC – AKM Edition: https://amzn.to/3ZeGTYp
• AIYIMA A70 Mono Amplifier (2): https://amzn.to/4fYMPt0
Upstairs desktop gear:
• HIFIMAN EF400 Balanced Headphone DAC/Amplifier: https://amzn.to/3CaUwP5
• Ayima A07 amp: https://amzn.to/3V969LQ
Headphones:
• Sennheiser Mass-Drop HD6XX headphones: https://amzn.to/3wVNvz7
• FiiO FT-1 Closed-Back Over-Ear Wired Hi-Fi Headphones: https://amzn.to/3B2gvqC
• FiiO FT-5 Planar Magnetic Over-Ear Wired Hi-Fi Headphones: https://amzn.to/4e6zG09
• HIFIMAN Sundara Planar Magnetic Over-Ear Wired Hi-Fi Headphones: https://amzn.to/4hsaBzx
• HIFIMAN Sundara Closed-Back Over-Ear Planar Magnetic Wired Hi-Fi Headphones: https://amzn.to/4f788ZT
• HIFIMAN Deva-Pro Over-Ear Full-Size Open-Back Planar Magnetic Headphone with Bluetooth Dongle/Receiver, Himalaya R2R Architecture DAC: https://amzn.to/3C2Vtsu
Email: questions4oldguyhifi@gmail.com
Community Post Playlists: https://www.youtube.com/post/UgkxFWsrQVhpupMc-WdqrP_X4ZtMXiQmVz1q
Tidal Playlists:
• Old Guy Hifi Test Tracks Vol. 1: https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/504b4da9-38d5-4f3b-83ea-6d3e73fb90bf
• Old Guy Hifi Test Tracks Vol. 2: https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/3cf20a05-c649-474d-aa32-72c710212b59
• My Classical playlist: https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/8e588a95-7664-4f5a-97c1-70270655e40c
Spotify:
• Classical Weekend: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/648pMGies9cVEsUqEWEiNE?si=64a61b584d9b43c3
Qobuz playlist:
• “Audiophile Electronica”: https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/20718243
• “Vivaldi”: https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/15233981
#Linear #Tube #Audio #Z40 #Integrated #Amp #Transform #Tube #Sound
Originally posted by UCnXGgtaGLaY-xsKYgndyuAQ at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yU7wjBWS5us
The LTA Z40 is not your Dad's Futterman OTL Amp. It is so much better than that. Dynamic, detailed and very accurate. This was my first experience with a ZOTL amp it is remarkable.
For more info on the Z40 Visit: https://www.lineartubeaudio.com/products/z40-integrated-amplifier. If you wish to join the channel and become a member please click here: https://www.youtube.com/@OldGuyHifi/membership
Wow it's beautiful.
Made in Takoma Park! Very cool, thanks for introducing me to this amp and this company.
If I wanted an integrated tube amp, this one would not be on my list. 1) It is not worth the asking price for what it is. 2) it is not aesthetically pleasing in any way (though that aspect is not important), but if one is going to have a piece, the eyes still factor in.
For me, I want to see the tubes and I might want to tube roll. This amp would be difficult to impossible to do that with anyway. That said, I know next to nothing about tubes and have no experience with tube gear. I would not mind having a piece like a PrimaLuna Integrated or something though as I have always wanted to try tubes.
Very Cool, Ed. I'm seriously jealous! ???? Enjoy it while you have it! ????
To expensive ………..( good opt 's are very expensive )
Tubes are faster than SS , tubes are more linear ( less distortion ) than SS….
You can thank Julius Futterman for his original designs and the great David Berning for perfecting OTL amplifiers. One of my engineering professors owned Futterman amps and he couldn’t stop raving about them. This was back in 1968 I believe.
Hi, very intersting review. Could you tell something to similarities and differences of the LTA Z40 and the SPL tsack? Are their comparable?
Another nice video. New to the Jenna and Rolf’s album. She has a beautiful voice. Sure wish I lived in your neighborhood so I could listen to all these wonderful pieces of equipment you get to review!
Thanks again for the music and bringing us new equipment, many of us will never own, heck, probably not even get the opportunity to hear one.
Hi Ed, which do you prefer: the LTA Z40, Black Ice F22, or TS120SE?
I think that Steve Guttenberg has an LTA as his reference preamp. He was praising it very highly when he reviewed it. I'm certain that you and my fellow subscribers can find it in the archives of his YouTube channel. Personally speaking, one of my favorite aspects of tube amps is that added warmth or what you referred to as "tubiness". Tube application can offer you that 3d holographic sound stage that we all crave. The heart of my first hi fi system was a Pilot 602 tube receiver (it was gifted to me in 1975 by my Father who had bought new in 1962 )that had EL 82 output tubes and output transformers. Even though it was only 12 watts per channel it sounded great with high efficiency speakers. It was a quality product that lasted nearly 40 years of usage.As always thanks Ed for another interesting review.
I am constantly impressed by LTAs stuff… my only issue with them is there's always something lacking for me in terms of inputs or outputs (ie, not enough XLR, no i2S, etc). Sound quality is always stellar.
I have a pair of zotl40 ref+ amplifies driving my Maggies; I believe you did a terrific job of describing ZOTL sound. Excellent job, Ed!
Love your informative, insightful reviews expressed without a barrage of esoteric audiophile terms. And your love for the music that is the foundation of this hobby just shines through with your album choices and descriptions. Your have introduced me to interesting music and artists I did not know existed. One problem though, when I try to subscribe to support you as you encouraged, the subscribe button takes me only to an option to join with a paying membership. I am seeing this on other channels too. Do I have to fund you to subscribe?
Nice job with the review.
I have a few questions. Have you ever heard any other integrated amps that images better?
How does it compare with your Cambridge Evo 150 when it’s not streaming? Thanks…
I wonder how it matches up to an Advance Paris, the tiny display is a cool touch
Just a comment.
A pleasure as always Ed????Thank you
nice amp,the mat finish looks great ,but its a fingerprint magnet.definetly need a pair of white cotton cloves when setting up ,moving it ..great review .
I hope you review the LTA DAC. Thanks for the video.
The Scofield & Metheny album is simply brilliant!
Don't forget to like! People
I would be glad if you reviewed more tube components. I currently have a rebuilt Dynaco ST70 & two from Black Ice, their tube DAC which improves my WiM Ultra in my second system & the FOZ SS-X, which improves my soundstage in my main system..
I used to own an MZ2. Great for headphones & to drive my vintage Electrovoice Aristocrats, my Dad built in around 1960. I bought a pair of Maggies so had to get something with more power.
Lucky you to be able to play with this integrated amp for a while. I was close to buying this, but I chose to go with seperates for use with multiple power amplifiers. Looked hard at their preamplifier, too.
I'm curious if they would also add an extra preout since I see the back panel has pre drilled holes next to the subout. Also, did you mention if there is any need to bias/adjust the tubes from time to time?
This is a great all in one unit.
I love "I Can See Your House From Here"! I remember buying it when it came out. Saw them both indivdually during that time.
I'm thinking about a Tube amp in the future. These video's are very informative.
I have the LTA microZOTL preamp. it’s hands down the best preamp I have had in my system it works really well with the pass labs xa25 amp. I swapped out my Shindo pre for the LTA and never looked back.
You mentioned that the Black Ice amp has similar bass damping. How do the two amps compare overall? Do you have a preference?
Good afternoon..man, there’s a name I haven’t heard in a while ????
Nicely done Ed. These LTAs are amazing. Have the MZ3 Headphone/Pre amp. As a Headphone amp it is
amazing…..as a pre-amp….it is amazing. Never “tube sounding” as it is smooth without the “round edges”. High in resolution and never fatiguing. I think you caught the essence of this design well. Thanks
Cool!
Thank you for this review. Always was interested how ZOTL really good is. Seem to be very, very good. Well… if i only had bitcoins bought 20y ago for pennies… I’d sell one now
Thanks Ed.
Well done Ed. Interesting piece and tech. I had heard about the tech. Great deep dive on the music you used as well.
Ed, you get some of the most interesting products in and things I've never seen, which is great. The only design knock I see is that really dated display.