Z10 Integrated Amplifier
Z10 Integrated Amplifier
For those who demand the best, but want to keep things simple. The Z10 Integrated amplifier delivers the magic, realism, and 3D soundstage of our patented ZOTL technology, all in one (gorgeous) box.
Z10 Integrated Amplifier Overview
LTA’s most economical full-powered amp
13 watts per channel, perfect for speakers 90dB or above
EL84 output tubes
1 XLR input, 4 RCA inputs
Subwoofer output
For those who demand the best, but want to keep things simple. The Z10 Integrated amplifier delivers the magic, realism, and 3D soundstage of our patented ZOTL technology, all in one (gorgeous) package.
A single-component solution, the Z10 Integrated amplifier incorporates the acclaimed ZOTL10 power amplifier, a Berning-designed preamplifier, LTA’s digital control system, and an optional phono preamp–beautifully packaged in a Fern & Roby-designed case.
Powered by premium EL84 tubes, delivering 12 watts per channel, listeners enjoy startling realism, plentiful bass, low noise, plus gorgeous mids and highs.
“The Z10 has a very realistic musical presentation. It plays music with wonderful harmonics and richness but with musically quick transience and exceptional bass control. Mentioning the bass, the Z10 was able to carry the music with a really good rhythmic drive. The bass was also very well defined, very tight, and there wasn’t the least hint of a “one-note bass.” There was also a very natural air around and within most of the bass instruments.”
New: Updated Volume Control w/ Adjustable Gain & “Hi-Res” Settings
Now shipping in all unit is our new 8-bit volume control, which gives you 128dB of total attenuation via 100 individual steps. We use precision thin film Nichrome resistors with low thermal noise and ceramic circuit boards with low dialectric content for the highest level of clarity and transparency.
For the ultimate in control, you can activate the “Hi-Res” setting in the menu system, which offers 199 steps to dial in exactly the volume level that works best for you.
We’ve also added the ability to adjust the gain via the menu system. This adjusts the volume level to allow for finer low-level attenuation when using sensitive speakers or headphones. There are three settings: 0db (default), -15db, and -30dB.
Reviews & Testimonials
Part-time Audiophile Editor’s Choice Award
“The Z10 Integrated was able to keep those peripheral sounds clear and spatially correct without distracting from the main performances, adding a realism that gave me a perpetual case of the goosebumps from beginning to end.
Bass was extremely satisfying, even with a 12 watt per channel tube amplifier at the wheel. Low frequencies were textured and taut, with all of those resonances that offer cues that the recording was captured in the most natural way.
There’s a delicacy and authenticity to the Z10 Integrated that can’t be ignored. You’ve probably heard reviewers say how sorry they are to see certain components leave, but I feel like I have a hole in my heart where this equipment once made its home for a few brief and worthwhile months.
Highly recommended.”
6moons Blue Moon Award Winner. “Bestowed only on components or music releases of rare excellence.”
If the Dutch 84dB rating suggests borderline if not flat-lined proof of life on today's measly [12] watts, we need our measles shot. We must remember that it's not current but voltage gain which determines our final loudness. In my setup, the DAC's XLR delivered a max 16V. Atop that, the Z10's preamp/driver quartet of tubes preceding the EL84 in the output stage added their own 18dB of voltage gain. At 50 on the dial, the Acelec played the room. At the uncut 99 possible, at least the left box would have turned into a leaf blower.
Designer Massimo Costa rates it an honest 85dB (2.83V/1m). Thus our Albedo Aptica in this space's bigger cubic volume with higher ceiling came fully alive at 60 on the dial. I had throwaway gain to hurt our ears again. This gives you a good read on what type speaker you can drive with the Z10's seemingly marginal paper power. Once more, this is not about "louder" tube watts but sufficient voltage gain. With smaller albeit transmission-line loaded mid/woofers like Albedo's 1st-order Accuton, I heard nothing to suggest lack of control or compromised bass extension. Despite the apparently poor fit on specs, this was a categorically great fit at the ears.
The Z10 has a very realistic musical presentation. It plays music with wonderful harmonics and richness but with musically quick transience and exceptional bass control. Mentioning the bass, the Z10 was able to carry the music with a really good rhythmic drive. The bass was also very well defined, very tight, and there wasn’t the least hint of a “one-note bass.” There was also a very natural air around and within most of the bass instruments.
The Z10 does its magic in the midrange, which is where the Z10 breathes life into the recording. I could hear small differences in voices and breathing, and the instruments had a rich harmonic structure. On piano solos, it was much easier to hear the differences from one piano to the other.”
“Here I am at the very end of my time with this unit, and I don’t want to send it back.”
There's nothing vintage about the sound; to the contrary the Z10 is a high-resolution champ, big on transparency and presence.
Sticking with the LS50s with Elliot Smith's I Didn't Understand it was the immediacy of the music that grabbed me. The sound was so full of life. I was very aware of Smith's breaths as he sang, as if he was in the listening room with me.
My [large] listening space had me curious if the 12 watts from the little Z10 would deliver the goods.
Not only did it handle my room like a champ, but it even dished out dynamic swings that surprised me for its modest 12 watts. Pardon me, 13 watts into 4 ohms. ;)
I did want to highlight one of the more hidden gems I appreciated about the Z10, which is the ability to highlight texture and tone in mid-bass and bass, that’s rather difficult to do for many tube amplifiers. As you know, I’m a sucker for texture and tone in the bass, and it’s something the little Z10 delivers all day long.
LTA Customer Review on Audiogon:
I would put the Z10 Integrated up against anything I’ve ever heard with a high degree of confidence.
The Linear Tube Audio Z10 Integrated Amplifier checks all the boxes for what and how I like to listen to music. Whatever you throw at it be it jazz, classic rock, classical, intimate vocal performances….it excelled at each! That's kind of the point though isn't it? Hifi gear should play what's on the recording very well in a very pleasing way… I wouldn’t hesitate to pair this amp with Devores, Harbeth 30.2’s, etc, etc.
Integrated with your life
We get it. You want the best sound you can get, but you don’t have the space, or desire, for separate components. With five inputs, LED display, brass touch buttons, home theater mode, and remote control, the Z10 Integrated amplifier gives you world-class sound that fits into your life.
Tube tone + solid state detail
Traditional tube amps are known for their liquidity and linearity, but their “warmth” masks details and can sound thick. Solid state amplifiers give you that detail, but can be “clinical.” ZOTL amplifiers give you the best of both worlds: beautiful tube tone with the clarity of solid state (while being entirely tube-based).
“The Linear Tube Audio Z10 is a very special amplifier, and one I won’t soon forget. It combines the allure of tubes with the precision of a solid-state amp.”
Patented perfection
The Z10 Integrated amplifier is based on David Berning’s patented ZOTL technology. For a technology to be patented, it must be deemed “new, useful, and non-obvious.” We think that sums up our approach quite nicely.
Looks as good as it sounds
The low-resonance aluminum chassis of the Z10 Integrated is designed in Richmond, Virginia, by the award-winning industrial design crew at Fern & Roby. Brass touch buttons, LED display, and machined aluminum front and rear panels exude quality.
Premium components = premium sound
If you use cheap, generic parts, guess what kind of sound you’ll get? That’s why we use only premium, name-brand components. Belleson regulators. Vishay Dale resistors. Mundorf caps. Typically, these are names you’ll only hear in amps that cost $10k or more.
Never buy another set of tubes
Most tube amplifiers run through tubes every 1,000-2,000 hours. That sounds like a lot until you consider that we estimate tube life for our amps to be in the 10,000-20,000 hour range. Why? Because we use ⅓ the current through the tubes, which results in lower heat and dramatically longer tube life.
“I would put the Z10 Integrated up against anything I’ve ever heard with a high degree of confidence.”
Made in the USA
Every LTA product is designed and built by hand in Takoma Park, Maryland, by a group of technicians who are also musicians, audiophiles, and music lovers. Some of whom have been with us since the company’s earliest days.
Quality assurance
The Z10 Integrated amplifier is hand built by technicians with years of experience building the complex ZOTL circuits. All our products are backed by a 3-year warranty and a 14-day in-home audition policy.
Speaker Recommendations
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: 90db sensitivity and above
Smaller rooms / lower volume levels / non-critical listening: 88db 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. Also, don’t forget we have a 14-day no-questions-asked return policy.
Details
LTA is excited to announce the first Berning-designed integrated amplifier. With all the magic, realism, and 3D soundstage of ZOTL technology, the Z10 Integrated amplifier delivers the experience of a live music performance right in your living room.
A single component solution, the Z10 Integrated amplifier incorporates the acclaimed ZOTL10 power amplifier, a Berning designed preamplifier, LTA’s digital control system, and an optional phono preamp – all beautifully packaged in a Fern & Roby designed case.
The Z10 Integrated amplifier offers all the benefits of the output transformer-less ZOTL technology: three times the tube life and one third the heat. With startling realism, plentiful bass, low noise, and gorgeous mids and highs – the Z10 Integrated amplifier is the perfect package.
The brass touch buttons, headphone outputs, easy-to-read, configurable display, and machined aluminum front and rear panels, exude the high quality manufacturing of handmade products in the USA.
The heart of the Integrated Z10 is the highly-acclaimed ZOTL10 power amplifier, using EL-84 power tubes at 12 watts per channel. With the addition of a preamplifier borrowed from Berning’s $30K product, the existing ZOTL circuitry cross-couples to a gain stage, and matches perfectly with the power amplifier.
The amplifier is wrapped in our new control system featuring: 5 inputs (including one true balanced input,) tape in and out, LED dimmable display with configurable time out, LED input indicators, home theater mode, remote controlled stepped attenuation using premium Vishay Dale resistors, and a linear power supply configured with a Belleson regulator for extremely low noise. Additionally, the Integrated Z10 comes equipped with two headphone output jacks: a high output for less sensitive headphones and a low output for very sensitive headphones.
Delivering much higher power than solid state amps with the same power rating, ZOTL tube amplifiers can drive your 90db and above sensitivity speakers to thundering levels with headroom to spare. Providing everything you need except speakers and a source, in a sleek new case, the Integrated Z10 is designed to last a lifetime.
SPECIFICATIONS
Inputs: 4 single-ended Cardas RCA stereo, 1 input using two 3-pin XLRs
Speaker Output: 4 Cardas speaker binding posts
Headphone Output: Low: Approx. .5watt per channel at 50 ohms, High: Approx. 2 watts per channel at 50 ohms
Tape Monitor: 1 stereo tape monitor out, 1 stereo tape monitor in - both Cardas RCA
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, back), volume control, and headphone speaker switch
Remote Control: All front panel functions using paired Apple TV Remote (power on programmable)
Volume Control: 100 stepped attenuator (smallest step 1/1000th of total value) using Vishay Dale 1% precision resistors
Output impedance: 1.2 ohms
Input impedance: 47k
115VAC or 220VAC configured at factory - 50/60Hz - IEC receptacle
Hum and noise: 94dB below full output (measured at 20Hz-20kHz) • Carrier: -50dB (460kHz)
Power output with 4-ohm load: 13W, 0.5% THD
Power output with 8-ohm load: 12W, 0.5% THD
Frequency response (8-ohm load): 6Hz to 60kHz, +0, -.5dB
Amplifier class: Push-pull Class AB
Voltage gain (8-ohm load): 18dB
Size: Amp: 17” wide, 5 1/8” tall, 16” deep (with connectors) // External power supply (option): 8" wide, 7.5" deep (with connectors), 3.85" tall
Net weight: Amplifier: 18 lbs./8.2 kg
Finish: Aluminum case
Tube complement: premium NOS two 12AT7s, four 12AU7s, and four EL-84s or equivalents
Home Theater Function can select any input for fixed volume
Display: 16 Levels of brightness and programmable 7-second time out
Optional Phono Preamp: 46 dB gain for moving magnet cartridges.
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Our most powerful amp, which can power almost any speaker you throw at it, combined with a Berning-designed preamp and Fern & Roby case.