MicroZOTL Preamplifier Level 3
MicroZOTL Preamplifier Level 3
The third generation of LTA’s flagship preamplifier.
MicroZOTL Preamplifier by Linear Tube Audio
The MicroZOTL Preamplifier is LTA’s flagship preamplifier, a gateway to musical reproduction that brings listeners closer to the emotional core of their favorite recordings.
Meticulously handcrafted in Maryland by a team of music lovers and audiophiles, the MicroZOTL Preamplifier fits easily into any hifi system. Its low output impedance pairs well with any quality power amplifier. It has five total inputs (1 x XLR, 4 x RCA), and convenience features such as Gain Adjustment and Hi-Res Volume Range
The third edition of the microZOTL Preamplifier represents a generational shift from its predecessors. By redrawing the audio circuit and incorporating knowledge gained from Velo and Aero, we were able to push the performance and sound of the MicroZOTL Preamplifier to truly reach another level.
Features
Adjustable gain: Three gain settings (0dB, -15dB, -30dB) optimize performance with any source, speaker, or headphone
Dedicated output capacitors: Separate, purpose-optimized coupling capacitors for headphone and preamplifier outputs
Holographic soundstage: Extraordinary spatial presentation with accurate layering and three-dimensional imaging
Hand-Built American Craftsmanship: Each unit meticulously assembled in Takoma Park, Maryland by skilled technicians
Low-Resonance Chassis Design: Custom-designed by award-winning Fern & Roby, combining aesthetic elegance with acoustic isolation
Flexibile Display Controls: 16 levels of brightness and on-off selectable w/ 70second timeout
Easy amp pairing: Very low output impedance (50 ohms), means the MicroZOTL Preamplifier plays nicely with almost any amplifier available
Dual purpose: Functions as both a reference-quality preamplifier and exceptional headphone amplifier in one precision-engineered chassis.
Transformer-coupled balanced Inputs: Audiophile-grade Lundahl input transformers preserve all sonic fidelity from balanced sources
High-resolution volume vontrol: 8-bit stepped attenuator with up to 199 discrete steps for precise level control
Balance control: 100% channel isolation using stored differences of volume values. Maximum balance differential is 16 steps
Reaching Level 3
Combining several circuit boards let us significantly shorten the signal path and reduce the number of interconnections, which removes opportunities for noise to enter the circuit. A larger board also gave us enough room to use the best quality components and optimize their placement. Improvements to the grounding scheme resulted in our quietest preamplifier yet.
Building on what we’ve learned with the Velo and Aero, the power stage in the preamp has been fully reworked to decrease noise and increase output capability. Shared sections of the circuit have been separated to give isolated, dedicated power to each output channel. The total power storage has been increased by 70%, with significantly more of that providing instantaneous power delivery right next to the parts that need it.
We improved the ZOTL stage by redesigning our custom components and utilizing surface-mount parts in critical areas to get higher performance and reduced parasitics.
We’ve also added a high voltage delay and a soft-start filament circuit to warm up the tubes more gently.
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Amplifier class: Class A, no feedback
Inputs: 4 Stereo RCA single ended inputs using high quality Cardas connectors; 1 XLR transformer-coupled balanced input, with Lundahl transformers. One Tape input.
Outputs: Headphone ¼” Phone jack, dual RCA single-ended preamplifier outputs, Tape Monitor output
Volume Control: Stepped attenuator with two settings. Default: 100 steps logarithmic; High-Res: 199-steps, linear
Gain: +14dB.
Input sensitivity: 0.75Vrms.
Input impedance: Single-ended: 50k ohms, Balanced: 100k ohms.
Output impedance: Preamp output: 50 ohms, Headphone output: 1.38 ohm.
Frequency response: -0.06dB/+0.1dB from 20Hz to 20kHz, -3dB at 1.6Hz to 110kHz
THD+N: 0.2% at 1Vrms output, 0.43% at 2Vrms output.
Crosstalk: -65dB at 1kHz.
Hum+noise: Under -110dB at 2Vrms output.
Power output: into 15 Ohms: 580mW, 30 Ohms: 300mW
Power consumption: ~50W.
Tube complement: 2 NOS 12AT7 input tubes, two NOS 12SN7 output tubes.
Dimensions: 17 inches (43.2 cm) wide, 4.2 inches (10.7 cm) tall, 12.4 inches (31.5 cm) deep (including knob and connectors)
Weight: 14 lbs. (6.35 kg.) Shipping weight: 22 lbs. (10 kg)
What the Experts are Saying About the MicroZOTL Preamplifier
Gary Beard, Positive Feedback
“The Microzotl is a really good preamp. It is an open window of transparency; with fast transient performance, excellent drive, and a high level of dynamic swing. It has a quiet black background, lacks obvious coloration, and is coherent to the point of being dang near unflappable.”
Terry London, Home Theater Review
“This preamplifier provides rich organic timbres/colors, a sense of "aliveness" that I find in no other preamplifier, the smallest details easily heard, a spatial perspective that brings the musicians into your acoustic space, a sense of holographic imaging, and an effortless liquidity that lets the music spill into your room.”
Steve Guttenberg, The Audiophiliac
“I just relaxed more, I enjoyed music more and more with the MicroZOTL. If you’re looking for a preamp in this price range, this should be at the top of your list.”
Features & Benefits
Stepped Attenuator w/ Remote Control
Our stepped attenuator - what normal people call a volume control - is completely transparent and uses the highest quality components.
Enable the Hi-Res Volume Range for 199-step precision to dial in exactly the volume you need.
Volume level is automatically saved individually for each input and each output (preamplifier or headphones).
Tubes - You have options!
The MicroZOTL Preamplifier ships with premium NOS 12SN7 tubes. With a flip of a switch, you can also use 6SN7 tubes, including the popular Ray Reserve 6SN7.
The 12AT7 input tubes can be swapped with 12AU7 tubes to lower the gain, if desired.
Connectivity
Enough inputs and outputs to connect everything you’ve got. One XLR input and four RCA inputs let you connect all your sources.
Dual always-on preamp outputs allow you to connect a power amp and a subwoofer.
Tape Monitor input/output gives even more options.
