ZYX Ultimate Exceed Omega X /SB2

[Basile: Locrian Audio]

During September Locrian Audio became a ZYX dealer. We received an Ultimate EX Omega (subject of this thread) and the Ultimate EX Dynamic, for which I will come back in the future. ZYX was not in my radar for many years and I never owned one before my collaboration with the importer of ZYX, SORA Sound in Chicago. My reference cartridges have been the Shelter Harmony, Accuphase AC-6, Ikeda 9xx, Ikeda SAI, MSL Signature Gold, Ortofon A-90, Lyra Skala, Jan Allaerts and Transfiguration Orpheus. At the lower end, my go to cartridges are the VDH Frog and the current Shelter 901.

I selected the Omega because I was intrigued by the lapis lazuli balancing ball in the front of the cartridge, the C-1000 Carbon cantilever and the middle of the road pricing, affordable by most audiophiles with a solid analog rig.

The Omega arrived in a unique packaging that I had not seen before. A colorful silk-cotton pouch wrapped in a sealed clear wrap with the marks of the model and the serial number. Inside we have its light carton box with the model identification and the actual cartridge box secured on top by 4 screws. What is interesting, is the multiple non-tampering controls provided by ZYX that ensure the cartridge is brand new and never opened before. The two "Inspected" tapes come off only if you cut them with a sharp knife and the cartridge itself is wrapped with a tape that once removed, it is unusable any further. ZYX also provides a brush, 2 sets of screws and a small screw driver.

I will install the Omega on the Moerch DP-8 12" tonearm and once I have played about 50 records, I will start my critical listening and come back with performance impressions.

 

[Basile: Locrian Audio]

I installed the ZYX Ultimate Omega yesterday on the Moerch DP-8. I listened to 3 albums. The first impressions were great. I loved the timbres of the cartridge. The mids were excellent and the highs a little more recessed than my other cartridges (except Transfiguration Orpheus) but very natural and with high levels of energy. The bass was quick and deep. The double bass and guitar bass notes were precise. The soundstage was very wide and formed right behind the speakers. The depth and the air between the instruments and voices is present, especially in large symphonic works. However, I believe it can improve further when the cartridge is fully burned in. Once I have played for a while, I will embark on a fine tuning exercise of the DP-8 side and counter weights. This is due to the fact that I had to add one more counter weights (3 in total). As per Moerch manual, optimized placement of the weights, improves the depth significantly. Thus, I will need to spent a little more time to experiment in that area. The surface noise was absolutely minimal and the tracking was exemplary. More to come in a few weeks.

 

[ledoux1238]

Any update?

 

[Basile: Locrian Audio]

@ledoux1238 It is funny you asked. When your post arrived two friends and I were on the 8th hour of a ZYX Omega marathon with total allocated time of two days, maybe three.

The analog component chain of the system we used is: ZYX Ultimate Omega, Moerch DP-8, Accuphace C-47 phono (set at 200 Ohm load), Ypsilon Preamplifier (Mk II), German Physiks Stereo amplifier and German Physiks Unicorn speakers. All interconnects and speaker cabling from FM Acoustics. Power cables from Audioquest. The second session will be with the German Physiks PQS-302 speakers.

Here are our debrief notes:

- Musical and natural
- The right pace and timing
- Proper sense of space
- "Incisiveness but not audiophile type analysis"
- No fatigue after 12 hours of straight listening. If it was not 2 am, we could have done another 4 hours
- Correct and realistic transients
- Detailed without being analytical to detraction level. The music event was always presented in whole
- "Impressed by dynamics"
- Maintained full composure in very complex music passages and tracked admirably. "The music did not overwhelm the cartridge from performing"
- No matter the genre, it was always emotionally engaging (jazz, blues, techno, new age, classical, world, etc.)
- when the music was relaxed, the system reflected it, When music was dynamic, the same.
- "The most live I have heard"
- "Full sound, articulate in the extremes, and excellent midrange, without "beautification." The dynamics similar to best digital but without the " edge" or forwardness"
- "Not the vinyl cliche sound"
- "the energy level was an experience"

We have switched to the German physiks PQS-302 speaker and we will come back with additional impressions, if we have additional comments.

Take care, Basile

 

[Idudley]

I WANT TO PROVIDE SOME FEEDBACK FROM TWO VISITS TO LOCRIAN AUDIO AS DESCRIBED ABOVE. THANK YOU.

I met Basile Theodropoulos, owner and founder of Locrian Audio, at Southwest Audio Fest in March 2024 where he presented German Physiks speakers and components by Accuphase, Ypsilon and EMM Labs, among others. I peeked inside his room and was immediately intrigued because underneath the components and speakers sat Live Vibe racks and brass points. I, too, swear by these racks and was impressed by Basile’s left field choice given the dominance of other brands and approaches. “Wouldn’t it be prudent,” I thought, “to learn more about the products sitting atop those racks?” I only had a passing familiarity with Accuphase and Ypsilon. I was entirely unfamiliar with German Physiks. I took a step inside and spent an hour listening to music played through GP’s Unicorns, named for their unique combination of omnidirectional driver and horn loaded bass. That experience inspired me to learn more about German Physiks generally and, specifically, the PQS 302.

Several months later I returned to Dallas with my friend, Seth, to visit Locrian Audio and experience the 302s in person. My research suggested these speakers might be “the ticket” for a listening room I am building in Southwest Atlanta. The room will measure 20’x30’ and will host up to 25 people for intimate listening sessions. I wanted a speaker that casts a stereo image well beyond the “sweet spot” to provide listeners with an exceptional experience regardless of where they are in the room. Being a fan of single driver speakers (my current speakers are Soundlabs), the GP’s DDD driver covers 170hz - 24khz and is nearly equivalent; in the critical lower octaves I was ready for a return to integrated cone driven subwoofers. (Alas, I would love the horn loaded bass of the Unicorns, but they are too small for my room.)

Seth and I brought approximately 60 albums to sample during our two day listening session. My selections included Jazz, Soul, Funk, Disco, Gospel, Techno and House (with a few Rock and Western Classical selections for good measure) from the likes of Stevie Wonder, Fela Kuti, Monk, Miles, Sarah Vaughn, Theo Parrish, D’Angelo, Don Cherry, Coltrane, Cameo, Sam Cooke, the Clark Sisters, Chaka Khan, Herbie Hancock…you get the picture. Basile was only too happy to accommodate our audio immersion AND education. We spent the first hour auditioning various turntable, tonearm and cart combinations to find the one that sounded best to our ear (see Basile’s entry in this thread for details). We then listened to the Unicorns (what special speakers!) to provide a baseline and comparison for the 302s. This was all enhanced by cigars and nibbles generously provided by our host.

Finally, it was time to listen to the 302s. I remember the moment: just below my expectations, which is to say all the thoughts swirling in my head as I analyzed what I was hearing, I felt my shoulders relax and my breathing become easier. It was involuntary and the kind of letting go I associate with stepping into a warm bath on a Friday night after a long week. As music filled the room, I was transfixed to my spot on the couch and didn’t want to move. If the Unicorns inspired me to get up and dance, the 302s inspired reflection as I reclined into the immersive sound field they created. (Not to fear, dancing followed later!) Effortless. Refined. Powerful. The 302s balanced grandness with intimacy, and handled diverse musical content easily. For example, bass passages in the House music of Theo Parrish or the extreme highs of Chaka Khan’s vocals (set against the frenetic Funk of Rufus at full clip) were captured and articulated with nuance and detail, even at 100+ db. D’Angelo’s “1000 Deaths” is a favorite test track. It’s “gutbucket” soundscape and multiple bass lines create a cacophony that flirts with distortion. The 302s resolved the bass with authority; it was convincing, musical and involving. I was duly impressed given a stereo amp - the German Physiks Emperor Extreme - drove the 302s. I didn’t want for more but couldn’t help imagining what difference their monoblocks would make.

I have just returned from a third trip to Dallas and second visit to Basile’s studio to hear the 302s. (The system remained the same with the important addition of a Kronos turntable outfitted with the same arm and cart as before.) This time I was in the company of my wife who wanted to experience what all the fuss was about. After listening to a couple of albums she turned to me and said with a smile, “I get it.” As the session continued she retired to the edge of the room to work on her lap-top (it was a Thursday afternoon after all). More than once she’d look up to remark on how good the music sounded. My take away was that the omni-directional approach made a difference and was able to make extraordinary music off axis. I experienced this myself; I was elated she had, too.

If you are curious about the difference German Physiks’ omni-directional speakers make, visit Basile. You will find a generous, informed host who’s system is optimized to illuminate the differences in speakers, components and (as I found out) record clamps! Something special is happening at Locrian Audio.

 

[Basile: Locrian Audio]

@Idudley: Thank you for taking the time to capture so eloquently the fun times we had listening to music at my studio. At first it was overwhelming seeing the 2 oversized bags full of vinyl. However, It turned out to be a blast!
Indeed the German Physiks Unicorn is a special breed of speaker. It has been with me for 16 years now, with no intention to let them go. The PQS-302 is providing the "concert hall" experience, along with its larger siblings, the PQS-402 and Loreley. It is a speaker at another level by any measure.

Finally, I greatly appreciate your "leave behind" records of the Clark Sisters and Meshell Ndegeocello. I will think of you guys and the "marathon" sessions every time I listen to them. Take care, Basile