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ZOTL40 Reference

Can I monoblock the ZOTL40 Reference amplifier

Yes. All our power amplifiers can be used as either stereo or monoblock amps. You can switch back and forth between the two modes via a switch on the back of the unit (in older amps) or inside the unit (in newer models).

When used in parallel mode (our more specific term for how the amp is operating when used as monoblocks), the power is increased to varying degrees based on the impedance of the speaker. Changes will be more significant at lower speaker impedances. Since all speakers have impedance dips, it should offer performance gain for all speakers.

Running our amps in parallel offers other important performance gains, such as lowering the output impedance and increasing the current output capacity. Lowering the output impedance (by half) doubles the damping factor. This also means that the amps are more linear to lower impedances.

Here is a message we received from a customer who upgraded from one stereo amp to two monoblocks:

Fast forward last night, the slam in the music was so punchy that I thought I needed to make some adjustments on the sub - except the REL wasn’t even on :-). Between the monoblock and new power cords/interconnects, the slam was so tight, it changed the sonic characteristics of the Spendors!  My head is spinning, it’s like a whole new system.


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Will the ZOTL40 Reference amplifier pair well with my speakers?

The ZOTL40 Reference amplifier outputs 46 watts per channel into 8 ohms, and 51 watts per channel into 4 ohms.

To help guide you in speaker / amp selection, we have developed speaker recommendations for each of our amps. It is important to note that LTA amplifier owners have found great enjoyment using their amps with a variety of speakers outside of the below ranges. The below are guidelines, not rules.

  • Critical listening environments: 85db sensitivity and above

  • Smaller rooms / lower volume levels / non-critical listening: 80db sensitivity and above

If you have questions about your specific speakers, chances are someone we know has tried them. Don’t hesitate to reach out with questions about your specific setup.

Some of the wide variety of speakers that have been heard to work well with ZOTL amplification: Quad 57s, Maggie Minis, Tekton Design, Fern & Roby, Voxativ, Janszen, Decware, Klipsch, Silverline, Spatial, DeVore, Daedalus, Zu, Ryan, Living Voice, Omega, and many others.

Also, don’t forget we have a 14-day no-questions-asked return policy.

Need more power? The ZOTL40 Reference amplifier can be used as a monoblocked pair configuration to double the power output of each amp. This is easily done at the flip of a switch on the back of the amp.


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ZOTL40 Reference+ Amplifier

The latest iteration of LTA's EL34-based amplifier, the ZOTL40 Reference+ amplifier is an end-game component for guaranteed excellence in any environment.


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Can I upgrade my ZOTL40 / ZOTL40 MkII to a ZOTL40 Reference amplifier?

Yes.

We value the loyalty of our customers, and in order to protect their investment, we take care to offer upgrade paths for our products.

The ZOTL40 Reference Upgrade Program is designed to offer existing ZOTL40 / ZOTL40 Mk II amplifier customers all the benefits of the new ZOTL40 Reference amplifier at a fraction of the price.

If you are an existing ZOTL40 amplifier owner, we invite you to take advantage of the ZOTL40 Reference Upgrade Program.


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ZOTL40 Reference+ Amplifier

The latest iteration of LTA's EL34-based amplifier, the ZOTL40 Reference+ amplifier is an end-game component for guaranteed excellence in any environment.


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What’s the difference between the ZOTL40 Reference and ZOTL Ultralinear amplifiers?

The ZOTL Ultralinear+ and ZOTL40 Reference+ are our flagship amplifiers, and generate 20 watts and 45+ watts per channel, respectively.

Like all of our amps, the ZOTL40 Reference+ and the Ultralinear+ both have the clarity, realism, precise imaging, and 3D soundstage inherent in our patented ZOTL technology.

Both amps are fast, fluid and do an excellent job of reproducing the pace and punch of the music. Likewise, both amps have the black background, high clarity, accuracy, realism, and dynamics that fool your brain into thinking the performers are in the room with you.

The ZOTL40 has a solid midrange and projects a large and deep soundstage. While offering more detail and clarity than most traditional tube amps, it is slightly less so than the Ultralinear.

The Ultralinear is a little more relaxed, more refined, and is our most tonally accurate amp. Despite having “only” 20 wpc, it has very strong bass. The Ultralinear+ has a little more detail and accuracy than the ZOTL40.

Both amps can be used in stereo mode or monoblocked pairs at the flip of a switch, should you require more power.


Related Products

ZOTL40 Reference+ Amplifier

The latest iteration of LTA's EL34-based amplifier, the ZOTL40 Reference+ amplifier is an end-game component for guaranteed excellence in any environment.

ZOTL Ultralinear+ Amplifier

The ZOTL Ultralinear+ is the latest amplifier design by David Berning: the first ultralinear amplifier not limited by traditional output transformers.


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Do LTA amps have subwoofer outputs?

The following Linear Tube Audio amplifiers have dedicated stereo subwoofer outputs, which allow you to use a subwoofer with “low-level” or RCA inputs.

If your amp doesn’t have a subwoofer output, you can still use the speaker outputs on any of our amps to connect to your subwoofer, and this is a common and often recommended solution.

You will need a subwoofer with a "high-level" input, often called a "speaker-level" input, which again is pretty common. (If your amp doesn’t have this sort of input, the preamp outputs from the MZ2 and MZ3 will work for line-level subwoofer connections.)

This method of connecting a subwoofer is recommended over a dedicated subwoofer/preamp output because it ensures that your subwoofer and speakers are using the exact same signal.

Don’t take our word for it. REL, maker of some of the finest subwoofers in the world, recommends using this method for connecting their subwoofers to amps of all kinds:

Using the High Level input is always the best option. Using the High Level Input, instead of the Low Level Input, and connecting to the speaker output terminals of your amplifier is one of the unique secrets of REL’s success. When using the High Level input, your REL is fed the same signal that your main speakers are receiving. When connecting to the High Level input on the REL from the amplifier, you capture the sonic signature of your main system, including the tonal balance and timing cues of the entire electronics chain.