Velo Headphone Amplifier / Preamplifier
Velo Headphone Amplifier / Preamplifier
The Velo is the most evolved of LTA’s development of the Berning MZ2 headphone-preamp circuit. The Velo is a benchmark of natural, transparent sound with a new level of sound refinement and musicality previously never achieved.
The Velo replaces the beloved MZ3 headphone-preamplifier. The circuitry was recently added to our MZPreamp to create it’s Level 3 performance. The Velo approaches the MZPreamp sound quality, in terms of clarity, tonality, and performer separation. Don’t need balanced inputs? Get close to MZPreamp for a lot less with a Velo.
VELO
The Velo carries on the legacy of David Berning's microZOTL circuit and LTA’s MZ2 and MZ3, bringing significant enhancements to this world-class headphone amp and preamplifier.
We’ve taken everything learned about building ZOTL amplifiers for over a decade, and reimagined our founding product to create the best sounding, most enjoyable, and most reliable desktop headphone amplifier/preamplifier possible.
The Velo circuitry has recently been added to our flagship MZPreamplifier, as the Level 3 upgrade. The Level 3 is essentially the same Velo circuit, along with some better caps and other upgrades. The Velo as a preamplifier provides 80% of the same stunning sound. The following impovements over the predecessor product, the MZ3:
Faster parts and shortened signal paths
Reduced noise Reduced parasitics
Better coupling capacitors increased storage capacitance on the audio board
More power supply filtering
Control section quiter with lower power consumption
Grounding has been redesigned for lower noise and improved shielding
Output impedance has been reduced by nearly 50%
Case redesigned so tubes can be swapped without removing top cover
Switch to toggle between 6SN7 or 12SN7 output tubes on back panel
Fuse replaced with resettable overcurrent protection circuit
Front panel indicators are warm, natural light without glare.
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David Berning designed the original micro-ZOTL in 2000 as a low-power Class A amplifier to be an entry point and showpiece for his new ZOTL technology. It was a surprise when it developed a following as a headphone amplifier. LTA revived the circuit as the microZOTL2 in 2015, using the same PCB and similar parts, and the amp immediately found a place as a reference component in the now much-larger audiophile headphone market. In the years since, LTA introduced gradual improvements through model variations culminating in the MZ2 and MZ3.
The Velo takes everything we have learned about the MZ circuit, ZOTL, and building amplifiers, and started with a blank slate. The goal was to make the best-sounding, most reliable, and most enjoyable version of the amp that we could. We revisited the components, PCB layout, assembly procedure, and case design. We were not designing to a price point, but we wanted to remove any extra cost that was not directly contributing to those goals.
Compared to its predecessors, we have increased speed, reduced noise, reduced parasitics, and shortened signal paths. Coupling capacitors were deliberately chosen for best audio quality. Storage capacitance on the audio board has been increased, especially right next to the output stage. There is more power supply filtering for both the audio section and the control section of the amp. The control section has been redesigned with quieter components and lower power consumption, and the amp’s grounding scheme has been redesigned for lower noise and improved shielding. Output impedance has been reduced by nearly 50%.
We want the Velo to be simple to enjoy. The case is designed so that you should never have to unscrew the top cover. The tubes are fully visible and can be swapped with ease. The switch to toggle between 6SN7 and 12SN7 output tubes is on the back plate. The fuse has been replaced by a faster, more reliable, resettable overcurrent protection circuit. The front panel indicators are warm, natural light without glare.
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Amplifier Class: Class A Push-pull
Inputs: 3 x RCA single-ended inputs
Preamp Output:
2 x RCA single-ended outputs
Output impedance: 50ohm
Headphone Output:
1 x 6.3mm (1/4”) single-ended output
Output Impedance: 1.1ohm
Gain:
13.5dB into 100ohm
12.4dB into 8ohm
Input Impedance: 50kohm
THD: 0.19% at 1kHz, 1Vrms
Hum: -90dB at 1Vrms
Frequency Response:
-3dB: 2Hz - 100kHz
0dB: 20hZ - 20kHz
Power Consumption: 24W
Tube Complement: 2 x 12AT7 (12AU7 tubes can also be used), 2 x 6SN7 (12SN7 tubes can also be used)
Dimensions:
Width: 10in
Height: 2.875in (stock output tubes add 2.5in)
Depth: 10in (11.5in including volume knob and rear connectors)
Weight: 6.5lbs
Features and Benefits
Enhanced ZOTL Circuit: Enhanced speed, reduced noise, and shortened signal paths for pure audio clarity
Easy Tube Swapping: Fully visible tubes and simple toggle switch for using either 6SN7 or 12SN7 output tubes
User-Friendly: Volume settings are remembered separately for each input and output (headphone or preamp)
Built in the USA: Designed and built in our Takoma Park, MD workshop
Class A Push-pull Circuit: Precision for headphones and as a preamp
ZOTL Output Stage: Patented design brings detail and clarity without excessive warmth or distortion
Dual Preamp Outputs: Parallel low impedance outputs can easily drive a power amplifier and subwoofer
Relay Stepped Attenuator: Precise, closely matched volume control
Remote Control: Machined aluminum LTA remote
Optional LPS+: LTA’s world-class linear power supply enhances dynamics and overall sonic quality
Testimonials & Reviews
“Some products look good. Some products sound good. Some products look like they should sound good. And then some products sound as good as they look. That's the Velo. This thing sounds wonderful.”
~ Lachlan from Passion for Sound
“It sounds really good. It’s fun to roll the tubes. It looks nice. It’s built well. It drives a fairly wide range of headphones, even some IEMs pretty well. There’s a lot to recommend for it, and I do recommend it.”
~ Reviews by WaveTheory
“The Velo presents music full of nuance and detail with pinpoint instrument separation and placement. The highs are airy and extended; the midrange is holographic and natural, with beautiful tone, color, and texture. The bass is accurate and taut, never bloated or fuzzy.”
~John Hoffman, Stereo Times
“Great ‘blackness,’ great detail retrieval, great separation, smooth flowing delivery… The Velo also does an amazing job of separating instruments and putting space between them. You can focus on an individual guitar, or piano, or vocals, or drum track because they are all separated and placed parallel in the mix as opposed to smeared together. Said another way, it's like watching the act you're listening to on stage and being able to direct your eyes and ears to the bass player and focus on what he's doing. The Velo paints all the parts of the mix with such separation and detail, you can just direct your mind's eye to what you want to listen to and focus on it.” ~ Head-Fi.org user Mumbles06 - Full review
Ray RESERVE 6SN7 Tube Upgrade
Elevate your Velo experience with the Ray RESERVE 6SN7 tube upgrade. This premium option comes in addition to the stock tubes.
Existing Velo owners can purchase the Ray RESERVE 6SN7 Tube Upgrade here.
Note: When you purchase a tube upgrade, they come in addition to the stock tubes and ship separately.
The Ray tubes upgrade is only available in the US. If you live outside of the US and order the tube upgrade, we will refund the tubes portion of your order minus a 5% service fee.
Buy Now, Pay Later
We are excited to offer PayPal Credit, Klarna, Afterpay / Clearpay, and Affirm to allow you to pay for your purchase in installments.
PayPal Credit: Checkout on our website, choose the Paypal payment method, then choose Paypal Credit after logging into your Paypal account.
Klarna, Afterpay / Clearpay / Affirm: Contact us to let us know you’d like to use one of these payment methods. We’ll send you a custom link to complete the process.
