microZOTL MZ2 Headphone Amp / Preamp / 1-watt Speaker Amp

The successor to David Berning’s original micro-ZOTL, the MZ2 continues to offer what Berning intended it to: an introduction to ZOTL technology.

Equally a headphone amplifier, integrated amplifier, and preamp, the MZ2 is considered reference-grade for powering almost any headphone, as a 1 wpc amp for extremely efficient speakers, and as a preamp performing well above its price.

Hand-built by our small team just outside of Washington, DC, each MZ2 involves 12 hours of delicate work, including precise hand-winding of several proprietary components, and several days of burn-in and testing.

Additional information

Features

Designed by David Berning – one of the world’s premier amplifier designers
Hand-made just outside Washington, DC
External power supply – extremely low noise floor
Drive high efficiency speakers (95db efficiency or higher) to adequate volume.
Transparent cover
Universal voltage power supply or high quality linear power supply
3 selectable inputs
Class A preamplifier output
Transformer-less design eliminates intermodulation distortion inherent in all transformer designs
Simulates the correct transformer turns ratio using impedance converter
Low impedance output easily matches wide range of headphones and speakers
No heavy power or audio transformers
Optimized tube life expectancy of 10 – 20 years based on use
Two-year year warranty (1 year on tubes) (international pays shipping)

Specifications

Amplifier class: Push-pull Class A, no feedback
Sensitivity: 0.6V RMS [full output]
Output impedance: (measured @ 0.5A, 60 Hz) 2 ohms
Input impedance: 50k
Power Supply Input: Auto-switching 100V / 120V / 220 / 240V operation or linear supply user-switchable between 110/120 and 220/240 (contact us if in need of a 100V linear supply)
Power Supply Output: 12VDC 2.5 amps
Hum and noise: minimum 60mV RMS or 90dB below full output (20Hz-20kHz)
Power consumption from ac power source: 33W
Power output: with 4-ohm load: 1W, 1% THD, with 14-ohm load: 0.5W, 1% THD
Channel separation: (4-ohm loads) 46dB, 100Hz-10kHz, (14-ohm loads): 54 dB, 100Hz-10kHz
Frequency response full power: (4-ohm load) +0, -1dB 10Hz-20kHz, (14-ohm load): +0, -1dB 5Hz-50kHz,
Voltage gain: (4-ohm load): 10.3dB, (14-ohm load): 12.4dB
Size: Amplifier – 9 1/2 inches (24.1 cm) wide, 4 3/4 inches (12.0 cm) tall, 7 7/8 inches (19.7 cm) deep (including connectors)
Linear power supply: 12" (30.48 cm) x 3.25" (8.26 cm) x 4.25" (10.8 cm)
Net weight: With switching supply – 5.35 lbs (2.5 kg) – amplifier and external power supply)
With linear supply: 8.94 lbs (4.1 kg) – amplifier and external power supply)
Finish: Aluminum case w/ lexan top
Tube complement: 2 x 12AT7 input, 2 x 6SN7 or 12SN7 output. (We supply NOS 12SN7 tubes by default. Jumpers on the circuit board allow you to easily switch between 12V and 6V, allowing you to use both 6SN7 and 12SN7 tubes and expanding your tube choices. The 12SN7 and 6SN7 are sonically identical and differ only in their heater voltage.) 12AU7 tubes can replace the 12AT7 tubes to lower the gain.