The LTA Z40+ includes David Burning’s patented ZOTL amplifier with 51W transformerless output power generated by four pentodes on the top plate of the unit.
You can read all about ZOTL, including the original 1997 patent, on the LTA website. I mention this because it’s not every day I review amps with patented amplification methods, and because David Burning’s ZOTL amps have been the talk of the town ever since his microZOTL hit the streets in 2000.
The LTA Z40+ combines the company’s ZOTL40+ Reference power amplifier with a Berning-designed preamp, and they commissioned Richmond, Virginia-based Fern & Roby to develop the chassis. Based on life and use of the Z40+, I’d say they made a number of smart decisions – the LTA Z40+ not only looks like it’s part of a well-done audio production, it works.
The all-tube Z40+ package includes 2 x 12AU7, 2 x 12AX7, 2 x 12AU7 in preamp and four banks of Gold Lion KT77 or NOS EL34. The review unit came with NOS RCA/Mullard 6CA7/EL34 connectors. You may wonder why it is not so easy to access all these lamps. The short answer is that LTA rates lamp life in the 10,000 hour range (which is a long time).
The review sample includes an optional SUT op-amp based MM/MC phono stage with a Lundahl amorphous core step-up transformer connecting four unbalanced RCA inputs and one balanced XLR input. There’s also a tape in/out and a set of Cardas mounting brackets for a pair of speakers. The new “+” version of the Z40 adds a 100,000uF extra capacitor, Audio Note resistors, a subwoofer output, and an updated volume control with variable gain and “high resolution” settings. These settings, along with gain and load settings for the MM/MC phono stages, are accessed via the front panel digital menu system or the included Apple Remote.
The phono stage deserves attention because it is completely new and improved over the old models. From LTA:
Our built-in phono stages can be used with moving magnet or moving coil cartridges. It consists of two active stages and an additional step-up transformer.
The design began as part of David Burning’s TF-12 preamplifier, which was redesigned into a more compact form factor. We have retained the original equalization filter circuit and opted for an ultra-low noise IC for the active gain stage.
The first stage has a fixed gain and processes the RIAA curve, while the second stage has three selectable gain settings. For optimal performance of moving coil cassettes, we offer Lundahl step-up transformers with amorphous core. They can be adjusted to provide 20 dB or 26 dB gain.
In the latest version of the circuit, the gain setting, resistive load and capacitive load can be adjusted via the front panel menu or remotely.
Gain and load settings on previous phono stages were set using DIP switches that could only be accessed by removing the unit’s side panel, so this new menu-driven system is a big improvement in terms of usability.
If you choose not to read the manual before diving into the Z40+ (blaming wine), you might be surprised (I was surprised) to learn that those brass buttons aren’t buttons at all, but touch controls. GOOD A pair of headphone jacks (Hi and Lo) are also located on the front panel, the included toggle switch selects between them, and the volume knob provides full attenuation of 128 dB in 100 individual steps or activation of the “High Resolution” options in the menu settings. , 199 steps for more precise control. The added benefit of the ZOTL approach is that, at least in my opinion, you get a 51W integrated amplifier that weighs 18 pounds.
I connected the Z40+ to four pairs of speakers – DeVore Fidelity O/96, Credo EV. 1202 Ref (more), Q Acoustics Concept 50 (more) and GoldenEar Triton One.R (more). If you’re familiar with these speakers, you’ll know they come in a wide variety in design, load (impedance and sensitivity), and price ($2,999 to $19,995), making the Z40+ a good workout.
I play a Z40+ phono stage with a Michell Gyro SE turntable equipped with the company’s TecnoArm 2 and a CUSIS E MC cartridge. The digital interface consists of a totaldac d1-tube DAC/streamer and an EMM Labs NS1 Streamer/DA2 V2 Reference Stereo DAC combo, while I use the amazing (yes, I said awesome) ThunderBird and FireBird (RCA and XLR) interconnects and Robin. Hood speaker cables. All components are powered by the AudioQuest Niagara 3000 power supply.
I don’t tend to be surprised these days, but the Q Acoustics Concept 50s ($2999/pair) are really amazing (review coming soon) and make for a really (very) immersive listening experience with the Z40+. While this combination is a price mismatch in terms of overall system building approach, i.e. increasing speaker costs, the music that appears shows that there are always exceptions to every rule. The bass is decent and very full, the timbre is rich but immature, and the sound image is voluminous, transparent and inviting. All in all, the Z40+/Concept 50 combination makes listening to any genre exciting, exciting and highly entertaining. Victory, victory, victory.
At the risk of contradicting themselves, the GoldenEar Triton One.R Towers ($7,498 for a pair) are just as good as their big brother, the Reference (review). Combined with the LTA Z40+, the music becomes almost comically grandiose, and the sonic images defy space and transcend the speakers. The Triton One.R features a self-powered subwoofer, allowing the accompanying amp to handle lighter loads, and the Z40+ did an excellent job of delivering a musical core that was surprisingly rich and subtle. Once again, we broke the rule of spending more on speakers, but if you could hear that combination the way I heard it in the shed, I’m damn sure you’d join me in throwing the rulebook in the trash. , rich, fit full and fun. cool!
I’m looking forward to this combo, O/96 and Z40+, because I know DeVore better than most. But after a few minutes I was told that this combination was far from the best. The main problem is bass reproduction or lack thereof, and the music sounds loose, out of place and rather flabby, which is not typical for other devices.
I had the opportunity to hear the LTA ZOTL Ultralinear+ amp paired with the DeVore Super Nine speakers at Axpona 2022 and the singing and loudness of the combination really made it to my list of favorite shows. I think the O/96 specific load is not suitable for a ZOTL amplifier.
Credo EV 1202 Art. (Prices start at $16,995 a pair) are ultra-thin tower headphones that perform more than they look, and the Z40+ shows off its musical side once again. As with the Q Acoustics and GoldenEar speakers, the music was rich, mature and full, and in every case the speakers seemed to deliver something special with the Z40+’s big and powerful sound. Credos have an uncanny ability to disappear, and while they sound much larger than their size, it can mean creating a musical experience where time disappears and is replaced by the movements and moments contained in the recording.
I hope this tour of the various pairs of speakers will give you an idea of the Z40+. To add some finishing touches to the edges, the LTA amplifier offers excellent control combined with a tonally rich sound and an expansive sonic image that is subtle and engaging. Except for Devor.
I’ve been obsessed with Boy Harsher’s “Careful” since 2019, and his attitude and angular, hollow sound makes him seem like Joy Division’s little cousin. With driving drum machine beats, thumping basses, crunchy guitars, hollow synths and Jay Matthews’ vocals succinctly surrounding the beat, the Z40+ proves to be a rich sonic digger, even for that rather simple melancholy high ticket price.
The 2020 Wax Chattels Clot also offer a vintage sound fused with post-punk. I think Clot deserves vinyl, it’s my favorite scoring system, especially light blue vinyl. Harsh, noisy and dynamic, the Clot is an eerie ride and the Michell/Z40+ combo is pure sonic pleasure. Since my first exposure to Wax Chattels in digital streaming form, I have had the pleasure of listening to Clot in both digital and analogue formats, and I can safely say that they are both enjoyable. For the life of me, I don’t understand the discussions about digital and analog, because they are obviously different, but they have the same goal – enjoying music. I’m all for it when it comes to musical enjoyment, which is why I welcome digital and analog devices with open arms.
Coming back to this recording on this turntable via LTA, from side A to the end of side B, the strong, muscular, evil sound of Wax Chattels completely fascinated me, literally badass.
For this review, I’m breaking down Bruce Springsteen’s review into The Wild, The Innocent, and The E-Street Shuffle. It was a good test to make sure I could play this record in my head without listening to it, from side A to the end of side B. Michell/Z40+ went deep into the rhythm and movement of The Story of Wild Billy’s Circus and its elephant the tuba sounded powerful, funny and sad. The record contains an abundance of instrumental sounds, all of which serve the song, nothing is missing, nothing interferes with her wild journey through the barn in which she has lived for so many years, without the ability to tune her to the “desk”. Although this is a story for another day, I can tell you that listening to a recording, the whole experience, is one of life’s greatest treasures and I am delighted to be able to reproduce it in such high quality.
The MM/MC Phono with SUT option for the Z40+ adds $1,500 to the price, and while there are plenty of standalone options, I could easily enjoy the sound quality options for this monoblock I heard about in the barn. For simplicity, there is something to be said. Given that I don’t have a separate $1,500 phono stage at Barn, I can’t offer any suitable comparisons. I also don’t have a bunch of cartridges on hand right now, so my impressions are limited to the Michell Gyro SE and Michell CUSIS E MC cartridges, so my impressions are necessarily limited there.
Weather Alive, Beth Orton’s new album due out this September via Partisan Records, is a quiet, solitary, wonderful song. From Qobuz to the installation of LTA/Credo, streaming this gem of a record that I think is vinyl-worthy but not yet fixed turns out to be as intense, complete and engaging as I had hoped. The Z40+ is capable of delivering true nuance and nuance, and the sound is rich and full, a quality that will satisfy any music you send it. Here, with Orton’s heartbreaking vocals, accompanied by piano music and ethereal vocals, the power of LTA makes every breath, pause and exhale of the edge of Eames’ red chair worthwhile.
The recently reviewed and similarly priced Soul Note A-2 integrated amplifier (review) is an interesting comparison as it focuses more on resolution and clarity, while the Z40+ leans towards a richer and smoother sound. They are clearly the result of different designers and different rendering methods, all of which I find compelling and captivating. The choice between them can only be made by getting to know the speaker personally, who will be their long-term dancing partner. Preferably where they live. It is useless to make a Hi-Fi purchase decision based only on reviews, specifications or design topology. The proof of any approach lies in listening.
Regular readers know that I’m not a fan of headphones – I can listen to music as loud as I want, for as long as I want, at any time of the day or night, and since there is no one else around the barn, the headphones are somewhat redundant. However, the Z40+ headphone amp driving my trusty AudioQuest NightOwl headphones was charming on its own and sounded very close to the Z40+ with the speaker, which is rich, detailed and inviting.
When the weather starts to turn pastel, I reach out to Schubert. When I met Schubert, one of the directions I took was Maurizio Pollinivel, because the way he played Schubert’s piano works sounded melancholy to me. With Z40+ running the GoldenEar Triton One.R Towers, the music becomes majestic, majestic and delightful, radiant with Pollini’s elegance and charm. Subtlety, nuance and control from the left hand to the right are conveyed with compelling power, fluidity and, perhaps most importantly, sophistication, making listening to music an eternal journey in search of the soul.
The LTA Z40+ is an attractive package in every sense of an audio device. Beautifully designed and enjoyable to use, it is built on truly original ideas, building on David Burning’s long legacy of creating sound products that provide a seamless, rich and endlessly rewarding musical performance.
Inputs: 4 Cardas RCA unbalanced stereo inputs, 1 balanced input using two 3-pin XLR connectors. Speaker outputs: 4 Cardas speaker terminals. Headphone output: Low: 220mW per channel at 32 ohms, High: 2.6W per channel at 32 ohms. Monitors: 1 stereo tape monitor output, 1 stereo tape monitor input Subwoofer output: stereo subwoofer output (mono option available upon request) Front panel controls: 7 brass touch switches (power, input, tape monitor, up, down, menu/ Select, Return), Volume Control and Headphone Speaker Switch. Remote Control: Uses all front panel features with the Apple TV remote connected. Volume Control: Uses Vishay Dale resistors with 1% accuracy. 1.2 ohm Input impedance: 47 kOhm, 100V/120V/240V Operation: Automatic switching Hum and noise: 94 dB below full power (at 20 Hz, measured at -20 kHz) Output power into 4 ohms: 51 W @ 0.5% THD Output power into 8 ohms: 46W @ 0.5% THD Frequency response (at 8 ohms): 6 Hz to 60 kHz, +0, -0.5 dB A Amplifier class: Push-pull class AB Dimensions: 17″ (width), 5 1/8″ (height), 18″ (depth) (including connectors) Net weight: Amplifier: 18 lbs / 8.2 kg Finish: Aluminum body Tubes Addition: 2 preamps 12AU7, 2x 12AX7, 2x 12AU7, 4x KT77 Home theater features Any input selectable with fixed volume Display: 16 brightness levels and programmable 7-second timeout MM/MC Phono Stage: all settings configurable via front panel digital menu system (more info see manual update)
Input: MM or MC Preamp gain (MM/MC): 34dB, 42dB, 54dB SUT gain (MC only): 20dB, 26dB Resistive load (MC only): 20dB 200, 270, 300, 400, 470 26 dB Load options (Ω): 20, 40, 50, 75, 90, 100, 120 mm Loads: 47 kΩ Capacitive loads: 100 pF, 220 pF, 320 pF Custom load options are available. If necessary, please contact us before ordering.
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Post time: Jan-13-2023