Zmf homage vs jds element 3 mk2
I've been enjoying the homage amp for a few weeks now and wanted to post my thoughts on it. I tried it with different headphones and iems, but before I mention my findings I decided to first compare the element 3 mk2 that I used for my bokeh review to the new zmf homage amp using the element 3 dac. I used the hybrid pads and solid titan mesh on the bokeh because I didn't want to go through the process of swapping meshs again. Just know the solid mesh makes the bokeh smoother than with the burst mesh.
The element 3 dac was connected to the homage's rca input using the rca cables that can be ordered on the jds website. First off, using the element 3 dac is a more clinical/analytical sound, it wants to get the job done sounding generally clean. The bokeh on the element 3 is direct and pretty quick sounding.
On the homage amp, there is an immediate increase in overall soundstage, not a huge difference but there is a bit of distance between you and the music so it's not as in your face as the element 3. Also there is this sense of smoothness over the music that makes things sound less analytical. Their is an added sense of air on the homage which took a moment to get used to. I also tried the impedance switch and that added a little more to the sense of stage. It also took a moment for my brain to recognize that the impedance switch made the bokeh a little more holographic to my ears.
This amp is no where near as colored as the mjolnir 3, but it's not that typical clinical neutral sound like the element 3 or my memory of previously owning a THX 789 amp. Since they are using the same dac the technical difference is not big but noticable. What I find so convenient is that the element 3 fits perfectly on top of the homage amp. So if you buy a jds dac, it looks like it will fit just fine on top and get the job done. At least this seems to be an affordable way to make use of the homage amp if you want a simple dac and nothing fancy. The homage amp with the element 3 dac using the bokeh (using the solid mesh) is a good balance of pleasant but still exciting listen.
Special amps over the years have gained quite the following. Some of these include ECP DSHA3F Ravenswood 3F which was designed for focals headphones but reports mentioned that zmfs also worked well on it. Another amp from the same brand, ECP Audio T4 amp (uses tubes) which I would like to try some day was also claimed to work with zmf's but it's no longer in production. The mjolnir 3 that I have is also unique sounding for a solid state amp. Sure there are plenty of amps like the element 3, but amps like the homage and other amps mentioned above can be difficult to get at times. If the sound of these amps catch your fancy, they're probably no alternatives to them since each one from what I've read sound pretty different from each other. Typically tube amps are the kinds of amps that change the sound in unique ways but solid state amps like some of the ones mentioned above are pretty uncommon and you gotta do some research if you wanna know they exist.
Since I have no upgrade cables for the bokeh I decided to use my favorite headphone the zmf aeolus with zmfs grand silver paladium cable through the 4pin xlr output still using the element 3 as the dac and I decided to use high gain/impedance switch down so output at .7ohms. This setup played the aeolus straight and true, no gimmicks. So to my ears this is the aeolus as I've always known it to be, nothing is being messed with. I then used the impedance switch which changes the output impedance to 47ohms. On this setting the same thing happened again. Things were a little more holographic and the stage was a little bigger.
I then used my aeolus with the homage amp using my berkley reference dac with my xlr cables and the homage amp did a great job of scaling with a better dac. The sound gained another layer of weight and clarity. It also sounded more dynamic and punchy with this combination. The homage amp still comes off as smoother than the element 3 and also with more I wanna say euphonics so it's less clinical than my cfa3 off the top of my head. For both the bokeh and aeolus I felt fine listening to the amp regardless of which setting the impedance switch was at.
I think that if your not sure what amp to get for your zmfs the homage so far has a straightforward synergy with zmf headphones that will smooth out the aggressiveness of cheap dacs. So if your on a budget the homage and a basic dac works great, I detected no harshness when using the homage with my element 3.
After a few hours I feel that the homage amp captures my feeling about the zmf house sound showing that balance of the technical and musical. If there is a uniqueness to this amps sound, it is smoother than typical neutral amps with notes that have a little weight to them combined with a sense of added air. Sometimes warmer amps can make my zmfs sound a bit dark at times or even congested, but the homage is a euphonic neutral amp to my ears. I remember seeing zachs video on the homage mentioning he likes the more ethereal sound of higher end solid states. I will say that yes, while this amp is smooth it is a bit ethereal in its sense of air. It's like my zmfs can breath in its staging as opposed to cheaper solid state amps that didn't quite do it for me so that's pretty unique. If that's the magic Zach was talking about, I can confirm it's definitely here.
I really like how the aeolus sounds on this amp. While I have not compared it to my decware yet I already think they would work well with each other. The zmf/decware otl I know is much more lush vs the homage which is euphonic (so smooth/pleasing). Both amps are dynamic and engaging, just depends on which direction you wanna take your headphones.
Even from memory of when I owned a burson 3xp performance amp, that amp was much more raw sounding than the homage.
