DigiZoid ZO 2

[Syndrome]

Was looking around for the DigiZoid ZO amp and couldn't find anywhere to purchase it. After sending an e-mail to DigiZoid about where I could purchase it they replied that it was no longer in production.

This is the useful information in the e-mail from their customer service.

ZO 2 has several added features and improvements over the original ZO, and is
scheduled to launch this month. I have placed you on our waiting list
for ZO 2, and I will email you in the next couple of days with price
(under $100.00), release date, and features. At that time we will
offer a pre-order option.

[WalkGood]

So are you getting the 2?

[Syndrome]

I'm not sure if I will be getting one, have to see what DFKT says about his.

[Confispect]

Nice.

[Urne]

Very interesting! I have been wanting one of these myself but I have been waiting for the sequel to see if it included this Fullspec Smartvector thing. I own the TMA-1s myself so I took notice of what dfkt wrote in his original review for the first digizoid zo:

Originally Posted by dfkt

Such a Fullspec implementation of Smartvector would probably have to be tweaked like current generation BBE Sonic Maximizer sound enhancement hardware, with two separate dials for bass and treble enhancements (labeled “Lo Contour” and “Process” on BBE’s 19” rack units). At least that’s what I would wish for, being able to tweak bass and treble separately – catering to phones with recessed treble and forward bass, like the AIAIAI TMA-1, as well as the opposite, such as the KSC75 or AKG K701.

Looking forward to see their new product and hopefully a review of it too

[Fallstar]

Just got an email that ZO2 is available for pre-order w/ shipping next week.

[Syndrome]

Same, I got an e-mail as well. Says oct 24 on their website. http://www.digizoid.com/zo/

[esanthosh]

Have already placed the pre-order. The full implementation of SmartVektor, ZO v3, is currently scheduled for Fall 2012 release.

[dfkt]

Looks waaaay different than the v1.

[Tuur]

Hi Guys,

Introduction (first post)

I am new to the forum (not to the website which i follow since a couple of years). I am from Belgium (so sorry for my faulty english). I try to improve my mp3-player experience as much as possible, and getting to know a brand like Cowon via this website, i bought a Cowon Iaudio 9 last year (and very satisfied!). I'll problably upgrade to J3 when I have a little bit more money.

So, I'm listening to my Cowon Iaudio 9 with following headphones:
- Panasonic RP-HJE900 (again, got to know these via this website)
- Bower and Wilkins P5 (not the best, i know, but couldn't resist its looks )
- Sennheiser HD-25ii

So, as you can see, i'm very happy to spend good money to upgrade the sound experience.

I mainly (95%) listen to classical music (incl. opera).


Concerning the Digizoid ZO2

Now to the point. I'm already looking for a good portable amplifier for my Cowon iaudio9 (and J3 in a while) for almost two years now, but i have never bought one, because i've read on this forum that for the Cowon-mp3-players, it is not worth it because Cowons mp3-players don't have line-out (i've read here several times that using an amplifier on Cowons would even lead to worse SQ). Also, i found that most portable amplifiers get (very) mixed reviews, so i was never sure that i would get a gould buy.

But now i've stumbled on the Digizoid ZO2, and i read that these are not even made for line out and that these are perfect to use with volume-controlled-outs (i've read this in the ABI-review of the first generation of Digizoids, and i assume - rightly so ? - that Cowons are volume controlled-out mp3-player without line out).

1. Is this correct? Are the Digizoid ideal for Cowon-players and other players without line-out ?

2. I don't want extra volume (i have enough with cowon), so is it worth it than to buy an amplifier just for SQ?

3. As i said, i mainly (if not only) listen to classical music, does the Digizoid give enough extra value to SQ with classical music as well, to justify the price? Or is it better suited for rock, pop, jazz?

4. In general, is this what i've been waiting for the last two years?

Many thanks beforehand for all the useful advice!

[Jack4L]

Well I think your probably getting pretty good soundquality from your MP3 player, and I'm willing to bet that adding an amp to it wont change that sound in any meaningful, easy to notice way.

Unless you can get some kind of improvement from a line level signal, and then running it through an amp to control the volume with. This is how I use my Sony HD5 and I can't notice a difference I can see a difference when its taken under analysis with some kind software and hardware but my ears just dont cut the muster even though I have better then average hearing, at least in a hearing test. I just don't pay that much attention to the analysis of music anymore, I just go with the flow.

The way I see it- DigiZoid ZO is useful in that it adds a pretty good EQ to a player that has none. Like a Clip+ (without rockbox) a phone or an older MP3 player that's otherwise great except for there being no EQ (My HD5). As far as I know all Cowon players come with a pretty awesome EQ, so the benefit is a little less obvious. Although I'll leave it to dfkt to give a final answer since he's had both in his possession- I just mostly came here to say I pre-ordered the ZO2 because the addition of actual volume control on this thing just makes it a whole lot more useful and I really wanna try this bass EQ ya'll been gawking over

[Tuur]

Originally Posted by Jack4L

Well I think your probably getting pretty good soundquality from your MP3 player, and I'm willing to bet that adding an amp to it wont change that sound in any meaningful, easy to notice way.

Unless you can get some kind of improvement from a line level signal, and then running it through an amp to control the volume with. This is how I use my Sony HD5 and I can't notice a difference I can see a difference when its taken under analysis with some kind software and hardware but my ears just dont cut the muster even though I have better then average hearing, at least in a hearing test. I just don't pay that much attention to the analysis of music anymore, I just go with the flow.

The way I see it- DigiZoid ZO is useful in that it adds a pretty good EQ to a player that has none. Like a Clip+ (without rockbox) a phone or an older MP3 player that's otherwise great except for there being no EQ (My HD5). As far as I know all Cowon players come with a pretty awesome EQ, so the benefit is a little less obvious. Although I'll leave it to dfkt to give a final answer since he's had both in his possession- I just mostly came here to say I pre-ordered the ZO2 because the addition of actual volume control on this thing just makes it a whole lot more useful and I really wanna try this bass EQ ya'll been gawking over

Thx for your advice, you got me - once again - back to the sceptical side :-)

I remember that there's a guide on this forum for headphone amplifiers where you're warned for placebo-effect, so for me it's at the same time a bit strange to read a lot of good reviews for headphone amplifiers on ABI (f.e. about Fiio, Arrow, Pico products as well). For me this is the real difficulty. I can find several really positive reviews of the Digizoid on the internet, but on forums there are always some posters (nwavguy f.e.) with adequate knowledge and experience that tell otherwise, and it always makes me too sceptical to purchase.

It makes me wonder why people are still making this products if so little - obvious - difference can be made. I guess just everybody wants portable HIFI, but it is probably not gonna happen in the nearby future :-)

It's a shame that here in my city (Bruges, Belgium) there is not one store that sells portable headphone amplifiers, let alone that i could just for once hear such an amplifier in action with my own ears. Maybe i just have to order one after all and see for myself if these products can do what they promise.

If someone else has another idea about the Digizoid, i would be glad to hear it, and otherwise i just will have to take a leap in the dark i guess (or not, it's a dillema you know :-) ).

[fugo]

from digizoid's facebook page:

The bad news is that while we were hoping to avoid any delays, due to circumstances beyond our control the material for the soft touch coating will not be received in time to process this week. However, it will arrive at the beginning of next week, thus extending the ship date from this week to next week. We apologize for the small delay! I can say though that the coating is worth the wait because it will make the ZO2 more scratch-resistant and easier to handle. I'm really sorry you guys, but we want to make sure that each and every ZO2 is worth every penny of your hard-earned money.

The good news is that the first production run of boards is officially a complete success! No imperfections and no errors!

Shipping pre orders in two weeks time!

[WalkGood]

fugo I edited your post to include [quote] in brackets, please provide a link for your quote and thanks for updating members here. I for one don't ever look or use facebook.

Edit: google had the link http://www.facebook.com/digizoid

[fugo]

cheers mate, should've thought of that myself!

[k5r2an]

Originally Posted by Tuur

Thx for your advice, you got me - once again - back to the sceptical side :-)

I remember that there's a guide on this forum for headphone amplifiers where you're warned for placebo-effect, so for me it's at the same time a bit strange to read a lot of good reviews for headphone amplifiers on ABI (f.e. about Fiio, Arrow, Pico products as well). For me this is the real difficulty. I can find several really positive reviews of the Digizoid on the internet, but on forums there are always some posters (nwavguy f.e.) with adequate knowledge and experience that tell otherwise, and it always makes me too sceptical to purchase.

It makes me wonder why people are still making this products if so little - obvious - difference can be made. I guess just everybody wants portable HIFI, but it is probably not gonna happen in the nearby future :-)

It's a shame that here in my city (Bruges, Belgium) there is not one store that sells portable headphone amplifiers, let alone that i could just for once hear such an amplifier in action with my own ears. Maybe i just have to order one after all and see for myself if these products can do what they promise.

If someone else has another idea about the Digizoid, i would be glad to hear it, and otherwise i just will have to take a leap in the dark i guess (or not, it's a dillema you know :-) ).

Honestly, there's nothing placebo about the Digizoid ZO. Once you turn that thing on, you will definitely notice a difference in your music. I have my Clip+ rockboxed, but I'm too lazy to actually change up the settings to my personal taste, and the Digizoid ZO fixed all of my problems. It's up to you whether you want to spend $100, but I would personally recommend getting the ZO 2.

[The Larch]

I just got mine I must say that the improvements are nice but are not a game changer.
The new soft touch case is nice. The turn on pop is gone a replaced buy a gradual volume turn up. The volume control works well. Unfortunately the small hiss from the ZO1 is still present with sensitive phones. Bass boost is still excellent. A great amp for $100 but not a huge step up from the ZO1.

[Syndrome]

Pretty big step considering by the time I heard about the ZO1 I could no longer purchase one.

[dfkt]

Originally Posted by The Larch

Unfortunately the small hiss from the ZO1 is still present with sensitive phones.

I just got notice that they're working on fixing that ASAP. Good to hear - that's some dedication, right after release of the new product.

[The Larch]

Originally Posted by dfkt

I just got notice that they're working on fixing that ASAP. Good to hear - that's some dedication, right after release of the new product.

what does that mean for us early adopters?