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microZOTL Preamplifier
The title of this FAQ is a bit misleading (on purpose). Some amplifiers use entirely different sections of the amplifier for the headphone output vs the speaker output. This is not the case with Linear Tube Audio amplifiers.
In all Linear Tube Audio amplifiers, all the outputs - headphone, speaker, and preamp outputs - use all of the same circuitry, tubes, etc. There is no separate "headphone section" in LTA amps. This means you get identical sonic flavor no matter how you choose to listen.
All Linear Tube Audio integrated amplifiers, as well as the MZ3 and MicroZOTL Preamplifier, have a digital control system that allows you to configure various settings on the amp.
In the below video, Nicholas walks you through how to access the menu system and what all of the options and settings do.
All Linear Tube Audio MicroZOTL products - the MZ2, the MZ3, and the MicroZOTL Preamplifier - can use either 6SN7 tubes or 12SN7 tubes. The important thing to know when switching is you have to change a setting inside the amp to to tell the unit which tubes you are using.
This video explains it all
In some cases, such as the HiFiMAN HE-6, HifiMAN Susvara, or AKG K1000 which has notably low sensitivity and thus requires several watts to power adequately, the microZOTL Preamplifier will not give you a satisfyingly loud and full listening experience.
Since the unique circuit of LTA amps reacts very little to different impedances, it is mostly a matter of sensitivity when it comes to which headphones the microZOTL Preamplifier headphone output works well with.
Whether it can "drive my headphones" often just means "will I prefer how my headphones sound with this amp?" We've read many accounts of people thinking their HE1000 or HD650 has never sounded better than with their microZOTL Preamp. I've also read one or two accounts of people saying the opposite.
We don't know what you like, but we do know that we've read far more mentions of the microZOTL Preamplifier sounding good with all kinds of headphones than not.
While we’re at it, we should also note that the headphone outputs on the Z10 Integrated and Z10e electrostatic headphone amp are more powerful and may work better for you if you have less sensitive headphones.
