Z10e Electrostatic Headphone Amp / Integrated Amp
Z10e Electrostatic Headphone Amp / Integrated Amp
The Z10e is a reference 12-watt electrostatic headphone amp, also capable of driving any planar and standard dynamic headphones on the planet. This is an end-game product for demanding electrostatic headphone owners.
Note: All current production Z10e units include a pair of stereo subwoofer outputs, not shown in the photos above.
“Might be Linear Tube Audio’s finest achievement so far.”
Looking for a pair of electrostatic headphones?
We have bundle deals available for the Z10e + Audeze CRBN, Z10e + Dan Clark Audio Corina, Z10e + STAX SR-009s, and Z10e + STAX SR-X9000.
Don’t need electrostatic headphone outputs?
The Z10 Integrated uses the same audio circuit, components, and power supply - minus the estat stuff.
Z10e Electrostatic Headphone Amplifier
LTA is excited to announce the Z10e Electrostatic Headphone Amplifier. With all the magic, realism, and 3D soundstage of ZOTL technology, the Z10e delivers one of the best electrostatic headphone experiences available. In addition, the Z10e is a full function regular dynamic and planar headphone amplifier and a 12-watt per channel integrated speaker amplifier.
A single component solution, the Z10e incorporates the acclaimed ZOTL10 power amplifier, a Berning-designed preamplifier, and the LTA control system with three inputs – all packaged in a beautiful aluminum low-resonance case designed by Fern & Roby.
With startling realism, plentiful bass, and gorgeous mids and highs – 3D music seems as if it’s appearing from a silent, black background.
The LED array display and the milled aluminum front and rear panels exude high quality manufacturing, handmade in the USA.
The Z10e offers all the benefits of the ZOTL technology of three times the tube life and one third the heat output.
“I was also listening to music from The Band’s second album which I originally mastered in 1969 and it has remained one of my most favorite albums that I have ever worked on.
I have heard this record often during the 53 years from the original vinyl, several re-masterings from time to time (including the recent anniversary editions). Well, with the CRBN/LTA Z10e combination I am hearing things I have never heard before, and that is amazing!”
The Amplifier
The heart of the Z10e is the highly-acclaimed ZOTL10 power amplifier, using sweet sounding EL84 power tubes providing 12 tube watts per channel. 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 very loud, even “thundering” levels.
The Preamplifier
The amplifier is preceded by the 12AU7 preamplifier circuitry, which was borrowed from one of David Berning’s ultra-premium amplifiers. It features both true balanced and single ended inputs. The preamplifier uses ceramic circuit board material, giving it a premium point-to-point sound quality.
The LTA Control System
The amplifier is wrapped in our new control system featuring: 3 inputs (including one balanced/XLT input), LED dimmable display with configurable time out, LED input indicators, 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 Z10e comes equipped with two headphone output jacks: a high output for less sensitive headphones and a low output for very sensitive headphones.
The Volume Control - w/ Adjustable Gain & “Hi-Res” Settings
Now shipping 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 constant 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.
“I tried the amp with a set of Stax SR-009 electrostatic headphones and was floored by the way the Z10e imparted a robust, vigorously dynamic character to those headphones.”
Reviews & Testimonials
I've experienced countless audio components that measured well, but only a rare few that produced authentic tone, nine octaves of natural detail, and copious atmospherics. The LTA Z10e driving the DeVore Orangutan O/93s did all that.
LTA's Z10e integrated headphone and speaker amplifier is a uniquely conceived product that brings a kind of wabi-cha style of simple "artistic inclination" to the culture of headphone listening. I believe the Z10e shines a light on the path to the future of connoisseur-level audio. Why? Because it was artfully designed and crafted by creative people with an aesthetic vision and discriminating ears.
Update to Herb’s Stereophile Review
The LTA Z10e–Susvara combo missed no beats, showed no weaknesses, and kept my head bopping to Your Queen's morphing Afrobeat-grime-soca rhythms. The Z10e amp displayed no hesitations, dullness, or clipping; no smoke from the tires, no engine stalling—only full-traction, high-torque engagement... Headphone devotees can rejoice! Linear Tube Audio's Z10e is now a full-service pleasure provider.
The Z10e’s constructs venue after venue—an intimate cafe, a medium chamber, a concert hall, a stadium—with astounding spaciousness, three-dimensionality, and texture. Regardless of the headphone/driver type—electrostatic, planar magnetic, dynamic— the LTA Z10e always brought a wondrous resolution, though especially with electrostatic earspeakers/headphones, that rendered the simplest things extraordinary. Brushes over ride-cymbals carried a sustained, burnished rise and leisurely fall. The Z10e rendered a single, plucked cello string with dimension and weight, and nuance that brought grins, smiles, and head shaking.
The LTA Z10e is simply a remarkable component. It is sold primarily as a headphone amplifier for electrostatic phones, but is, in reality, so much more…. Whether you use the LTA as the center of a fine stereo system, or just as an electrostatic headphone amplifier, There are few that can equal it in sheer performance. Impressive.
Satisfied Z10e + STAX SR-X9000 Customer
“My headphone is the new Stax top of the line SR-X9000, that is getting rave reviews. The reviews are all true. Never before have I been able to listen to such beautiful music. Airy where it should airy, firm where it should be firm, beautiful golden textures, space, everything; the headphone is marvelous. And so is the z10e. I have two Stax amps, and the difference with the Z10e is not subtle. Words fail me to describe how beautiful and just ‘right’ the music now is. This amp/headphone combo is truly a match made in heaven.” ~Aske P
SPECIFICATIONS
Inputs: 2 single-ended RCA stereo inputs, 1 input using two 3-pin combom XLR/TRS jacks
Speaker Output: 4 speaker binding posts, banana or spade
Conventional Headphone Outputs: Low: 240mW per channel @ 32 ohms, High: 3W per channel @ 32 ohms
Electrostatic Headphone Output: 5 pin Stax interface, 580V bias
Subwoofer Output: Stereo subwoofer output (Mono option available upon request)
Front Panel Controls: Power switch, Input switch, volume control, and headphone / speaker switch
Remote Control: All front panel functions and configuration menu accessed using an aluminum Apple TV Remote
Volume Control: 100 stepped attenuator (smallest step 1/1000th of total value) using Vishay Dale 1% precision resistors
Output impedance: 1.2 ohms
Power Supply: Linear supply using a Belleson regulator and low ESR poly-organic capacitors
Input impedance: 47k
115VAC or 220-240VAC configured at factory - 50/60Hz - IEC receptacle
Hum and noise: 94dB below full output (measured at 20Hz-20kHz)
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
Amplifier Weight: 18 lbs
Power Supply Weight: 5lbs
Amplifier Dimensions: 12.75” wide x 14.5” deep (with connectors) x 6.5” tall
Power Supply Dimensions: 8" wide, 7.5" deep (with connectors), 3.85" tall
Finish: Aluminum case
Tube complement: premium NOS two 12AT7s, four 12AU7s, and four EL84s or equivalent
Home Theater Function can select any input for fixed volume
Display: 16 Levels of brightness and programmable 7-second time out
Speaker Recommendations
LTA amplifier owners have found great enjoyment using their amps with a variety of speaker outside of the below ranges. The below are guidelines, not rules. 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.
Critical listening environments: 90db sensitivity and above
Smaller rooms / lower volume levels / non-critical listening: 88db sensitivity and above
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.