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+ 2008
Zu Audio
  • Essence Preview On 6moons...
    Does that mean a full blown review of the new speaker is imminent?

  • Zu Essence

    Zu Essence

    Venetian debut, CES 2009. Yeah, this is a special product, and only $5k for the pair. Available in American Walnut or Zu Smooth Matte black. Custom colors available for custom order.

    Available for audition at select Zu dealers February.



  • Zu Finland / Audioshop

    www.audioshop.fi

  • Changes & Cityscapes




  • Press Rlease / Zu Matures And Embraces Traditional Sales & Distribution
    Zu Audio is now ready to compete for global market share and brand credibility. CES 2009 (January 8) debuts Zu’s new sales platform and commitment to traditional sales and distribution; and closes the door on all of it’s direct to consumer sales efforts. Zu has been moving in this direction for several years and now has the resources, production technology, know-how, and capacity to realize the transition.

    For nine years Zu has streamlined production, invested heavily in technology and systems, and has continually improved product performance and build quality.

    Additional details to follow....

  • Zu Audio Deffinition Mk1.9


    Here is your chance to own one of the best speakers money can buy at an amazing sales price. The Defintion rivals speakers that cost many times MORE. With a chance to buy this special Definition Mk 1.9 at a savings of $5000, how can you pass it up?

    We re-manufactured Definition Mk 1.5 trade in speakers to a level just shy of the vaunted Definition Mk 2.0 floor standing loudspeakers.

    Zu strips down "trade in" Definition Mk 1.5 speakers to the original MDF core ( The Definition Mk 2.0 uses a new "super-ply" cabinet material with bracing refinements that produce distinctly superior acoustics over the previous Mk1.5 MDF cabinet.). Drivers are re-manufactured, meticulously hand matched for Tonality, output and impedance. New MK 2.0 crossover components are matched to 0.5% between speaker component pairs as well as engineered specifications. There are MANY MORE upgrades applied to these special Definition Mk 1.9 speakers that can be viewed here at ZuAudio.com.

    Zu has refined the manufacturing processes for all of it's loudspeakers. Every single capacitor, resistor, and inductor has been tested and grouped by value. Batching hundreds of these components at a time allows Zu to produce matched speaker components of 0.5% or better. Any crossover component outside of our stringent QC window is rejected.
    The aforementioned QC process is also performed on the individual woofers, full range drivers, and tweeters. Tonality, output and impedance are the criteria for driver matching.

    What does all of this exacting selectivity do for Zu Audio speakers?

    By having such accurately matched pairs of drivers and speaker components, we achieve stunning focus, phase coherence, sound stage placement, and tonal accuracy unmatched by other speakers. The load presented to the amplifier by the Definition Mk 1.9 loudspeakers is near perfect between left and right channels thanks to this select component matching.

    Hearing is believing though, so as always, we are offering these speakers with our industry leading 60 day's satisfaction money back guarantee. Warranty for these special Definition Mk 1.9 speakers is 2 years.

    We only have a small group of these special Definition Mk 1.9 speakers available. So act fast to invest in one of the best deals Zu Audio has ever offered, you wont be disappointed.

  • New Zu/DL-103R Cartidges are now Available

    Zu has just completed it's first full production run of the Zu modified Denon DL-103R phono cartridge, the Zu/DL-103R. To celebrate this we are offering the Grade 1, 1.0% model $200 OFF the regular price, now for only $599. Act quick though when their gone their gone, no rain checks.

    These new Zu/DL-103R cartridges include the latest process revisions from the Zu/DL-103     production line. As you may know the Zu/DL-103 has been getting rave reviews from the press and the blog community. We can barely keep them in stock and we continue to ramp up our production to meet orders.

    The Zu/DL-103R is available in 4 grades of tolerance.
    Standard ≤ 4.0% | Grade 1 ≤ 1.0% | Grade 2 ≤ 0.5% | Grade 2 Prime (2') ≤ 0.1

    You can only get tolerance choices in these cartridges from Zu Audio. Normally you roll the dice on tolerance measurements which are at least ≤ 4% on the DL-103R and ≤ 3.0% for standard DL-103 from Denon.

    Through the re-manufacturing process of 100's of these cartridges we able to identify and grade the best of the batch. Denon’s factory tolerance between channels for both output Voltage and internal coil impedance for the DL-103R cartridge is ≤ 4% as tested by us.

    In re-manufacturing this great cartridge we measure it at several points in the production process. During the final QC testing we grade the tight tolerance units measuring 1.0% or better. Again, this tolerance is referenced between the two channels' internal resistance and output Voltage.

    Our tolerance spec is not an average of measures, but accounts for the lowest of any measurement, thus giving a true tolerance perspective. All tolerance measures are referenced to the Zu serial numbers, graded and indicated on the label. As per inventory we are offering these very high tolerance pickups at a great price.

    If you have a vinyl rig and need a new cart or great bang for you buck investment, then this is the time to act. Just remember the higher tolerance cartridges are in short supply. Each step up the ladder of tolerance grade will have fewer numbers than the grade below. Some production runs of the Zu/DL-103 have only produced a single Grade 2 Prime - 0.1 unit. This has proven to be the case for the Zu/DL-103R carts as well. In light of this you can have a truly rare and amazing Zu/DL-103R Grade 1 - 1.0% phono cartridge $200 off the regular price during this sale

    Armature is made in Japan. Body and re-manufacture by Zu in Ogden, Utah, USA.



  • What to take on a 7,000 motorcycle mile trip?

    Going to Lake Louise day one, then nearly White Horse YT day two. Day three somewhere around Fairbanks or so. Day four Dead Horse, the top of the Haul Road. Swim, Northern Lights, back home.

    credit card
    passport
    drivers license
    insurance card
    registration
    bear spray, 8 Oz.
    shotgun (Adam)
    10x slug ammo (Adam)
    6x ibuprofen 800mg

    note pad
    pen, pencil, and permanent marker
    3x pair earplugs

    7.5 gallon extra fuel cell
    duct tape (first aid, clothing fixes...)
    shield cleaning cloth / camp towel
    tire repair kit, plug type
    (fix-a-flat, Adam)
    tire pressure gauge
    jumpers (Jake)
    multi tool
    3/8” socket wrench (Jake)
    3/8” to 1/2” drive adaptor (Jake)
    24mm 1/2” drive socket (Jake)
    OEM toolkit for SV
    9/16” 3/8” drive socket
    Torx 40 3/8” drive socket
    Torx 27 wrench
    5/32” Allen wrench
    1/8” Allen wrench
    5mm Allen wrench
    7/8” axel tool
    7/8” axel wrench
    3/4” wrench
    5/8” wrench
    razor blade
    valve stem remover
    electrical tape (1/4 role)
    wire nuts
    50’ parachute cord

    1x drive belt
    2x rear wheel bearing
    1x spark plug
    1x spare H4 bulb
    1x blinker bulb
    2x 10 Amp fuse
    1x 20 Amp fuse
    1x 15 Amp fuse
    1x 30 Amp fuse
    1/2” hose clamp
    miscellanies hardware
    quart of oil
    funnel (for the scotch:)

    iPod + Etty and Sure in-ear phones
    2x iPod power adaptor
    2x iPod power cable

    tent, two-man Sierra Designs 3-season
    25ºF down bag
    Thermarest pad
    headlamp, extra batteries
    lighter
    camp soap
    cookware, stove, 16 Oz. butane
    compass

    leather riding suit
    riding boots
    riding gloves
    waterproof extreme weather mitts
    roots / weather hand guards
    Hot Grips
    heated top with arms, tailored, (3.3 Ohm / 50 Watt) made from U.S. military arctic liner
    heated bottoms, tailored, (4.5 Ohm / 35 Watt) made from U.S. military arctic liner
    Widder system 1 heated vest (back up)
    3x base layer top and bottoms
    3x underwear
    3x socks
    1x camp shirt
    1x camp pant
    1x down booties
    1x knit hat

    Canon Eos D1 Mk3
    Canon EF 85mm 1.2L
    Canon EF 24 - 70mm 2.8L
    Canon EF Fisheye 15mm
    remote timer
    ball head and tripod
    lens cleaner
    lens cloth


    Ogden 5:50 am, Maverick, 8 gallons > Blackfoot 153 miles, 2 hours, 8:00 am 85 mph
    Salmon, ID 350 miles, 11:00 am 70 mph,
    Flathead Lake / Polson, MT 208 miles 65 mph, 2:00 pm, FUEL/pee/food.
    Eureka, MT 118 miles 65 mph 4:30 pm
    Radium Hot Springs, BC 149 miles 65 mph, 2.5 hours, Enter Kootenay National Park on 93, 7:40 pm
    Jasper, BC 223 miles 60 mph , 4 hours.

    Day one, need to make it into the Kootenay!

  • Time for the 7,000 Mile epic motorcycle adventure again!

    OK, you have 7 days to do anything you want. What do you do?
    A) Go to the beach and relax?
    B) Go fishing?
    C) Go camping?
    D) Attempt to ride your motorcycle 7000 miles in 7 days.... from Ogden, Utah to Prudhoe Bay Alaska?

    No, not many people would have picked (D).

    Yea that's 7 Iron Butt rides (Iron Butt=1,000 miles in one day on a motorcycle) in as many days. Sight seeing at 80mph for days on end, many miles from any provisions. You are basically on you own if anything breaks so you better have a spare... everything.

    Well, this is Adam and Seans second attempt at this epic endurance motorcycle ride from Ogden, Utah to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. Jake is ridding with them this year for his first attempt and I am still in Ogden with a broken wrist that precluded me from this years attempt. You guessed it, crashed a motorcycle and broke my wrist. This would have been my first Alaska attempt too.

    Two years ago they nearly accomplished their goal only to come up a couple of hundred miles short of Prudhoe Bay. Extreem rear tire wear "down to the cords" turned them back to Fairbanks, for fresh Rubber and back home.

    This year they left Sept. 4th 6am from Ogden. We haven't heard from them since. We expect word any day along with pictures and stories.

    Stay posted for the details. ~Randy Sandman

    Just for comparison, two other ONE WAY rides are listed below. Aprox. 3500 Miles or 5570 KM.

  • Steve Guttenberg reviews Druid upgrade kit.
    You can't make your Nikon D200 DSLR into a D300. If you want the new one, you must buy it.

    Even Steve Jobs can't transform last year's iMac into the latest, greatest iMac. And you can't add HDMI switching to your 4-year-old Sony receiver. But...that's exactly the sort of upgradeability that some high-end companies offer. Take Zu Audio. The company offers an upgrade kit that'll transform any Druid speaker built from 2001 forward into the current Druid Mk 4/08 model for $600 ($800 upfront, with a $200 refund with return of original drivers). Since a pair of new Druid MkIV/08 go for $3,400, the $600 fee seems very reasonable to me. Complete new Zu speakers are sold factory direct with a 60-day money-back guarantee. They are manufactured by Zu Audio in Ogden, Utah.

    Last year, I raved about the Druid MK IV speakers and dubbed them Speaker of the Year. So I was eager to install the kit and see for myself if the smart folks at Zu could actually improve this great speaker.

    The upgrade kit includes a pair of new woofers and tweeters and all of the necessary tools to get the job done. Examining the quality of the parts and build integrity of the Zu's designs from the inside of the speaker only increased my respect for the design.


    New woofers and tweeters, Zu even produced a how-to DVD that shows the installation in real time. Druid owners who'd rather not roll up their sleeves can ship their speakers back to Zu and have the pros handle the job--for free--but the owner pays for shipping. I needed around 50 minutes to complete the upgrades, and I was taking my time. I wanted to get the job done right. The first time.

    Read more at http://news.cnet.com/8301-13645_3-9991523-47.html?tag=mncol;title

  • Druid Mk4 08 Kit Comparo
    With reprint permission from Mark Lucas

    "The Druid upgrade kit shows all the thorough completeness that we’ve come to expect from Zu!! Well organized shipping, carefully thought out to separate and protect the drivers. Right down to the slits in the material to hold the wires and keep them off the components. A video guide to watch before you start is included, along with the necessary screwdriver. The main message from the video, along with a lot of small but useful tips, is a method to protect the front of the cabinet from damage while changing the drivers. The wiring lead lengths are appropriately short enough that the driver can’t get very far from the cabinet. If a second person is available, to cradle the driver while working to separate the wires and driver and then to reinstall the replacement, that helps a lot.

    We replaced the drivers in about 15 minutes using two people. The original drivers have the crossover attached to the back of the HF driver. So it comes right out along with the driver removal. The new crossover is a single capacitor and is made up as part of the leads between the drivers. The drivers externally do not appear to have a difference, so looks do not change.

    The leads are made up the same way, before and after the change over. The wire coming up through the cabinet attaches to the back of the 10.5 driver. A second wire is clipped onto the same point and goes down to the HF driver. These clip on tight enough that a pair of needle-nose pliers and extra hands to firmly hold the driver while wiggling them off is very useful! The screwdriver did get a good grip on the mounting screws and felt very secure. We didn’t have a single case of slipping and scarring the screw head, adjacent driver or cabinet. Unmounting the drivers consists of removing the trim ring around the big driver, bumping loose the driver from the cabinet. Unhooking the two pair of wires and removing. Then pulling the 4 screws on the HF horn and lifting it out. Unscrew the driver and applying the new.

    After standing them up, we set them aside and listened first to the unmodified driver set of Druid’s. We took a few songs getting used to the usual very fine sound quality of the Druid, in this case driven by a single ended, parallel fed, 300B with about 8 watts. After getting acclimated, we switched to the modified version pair of speakers. As seen here….



    While setting to one side myself, and not having any stereo sound stage information, I noticed in the first few notes that the sound was a smoother, cleaner sound. Within another 30 seconds you can confirm your first impression. Then I moved to centered, to get the full picture and the first thing I noticed was the information seemed a lot deeper and cleaner. Then you start trying to focus in on HF and lower, trying to localize where the differences are. But it’s not just a cleaner sound from the super tweeters or just from the crossover region into the highs…its cleaner and smoother sounding top to bottom! Song after song, the depth and newly refined character came through!

    Later in the evening, we stood together side by side both pairs of speakers for a short time, to make quick change of the Zu Libtec speaker wiring for faster back and forth comparison.



    Changing over, just seconded the initial impressions of new found smoothness, stage depth and separation of instruments. If you hear either version separately, it’d be hard to pick apart the sound and identify the differences. But back to back, it’s clear that the change out complements all the original ideas of the design. Easy to drive, but higher power capable, dynamic and nimble sound. Fun music without digging out every bit of harshness that some recordings tip up on some systems. The focus is on the music and not on the system but certainly capable of revealing the difference in upstream components and wiring changes.



    At about a 20% of original speaker price, some could be perfectly happy staying with the purchased system. The original is good enough to be very satisfying. But with this comparison, 4 out of 4 Druid owners were pretty impressed with the change over and likely will spring for the upgrade. Even spouses could hear the change and enjoy the music enough to stretch the evening later than it should have been!



    Thanks to everybody. Especially Ron for arranging and Jeff and Ivy for hosting and putting up with us!

    Mark Lucas
    Chief Engineer - Knoxville
    Journal Broadcast Group
    WWST/WMYU/WKHT/WQBB

  • More Druid 08 kit feedback
    Gents,

    Received my Zu driver upgrade kit the other day [Druid Mk4 / 08 Kit], and performed the surgery on Saturday afternoon. Here's the report:

    1. The [instructional] video is great, very clear instructions by example, glad you guys did that. Way more helpful than a printed manual.

    2. I completed my first speaker upgrade in about 15 minutes. Second one took about 20 minutes because my FastOns weren't so "FastOff" on the full range driver. Absolutely simple, easy, and fun!

    3. Audio test - immediate and fantastic improvements all around the frequency band. The highs are definitely sweeter and clearer. Vocals are off the rails. And perhaps most noticeable is the texture of the strings instruments. Especially on some rare U2 acoustic jam sessions I have. The low end is outstanding and fuller.

    At dinner last night I was espousing the virtues of one great company in Utah called Zu to all my unsuspecting friends that need to get on the Zu Audio train. I'll make converts out of them all!

    I loved doing the upgrade, gave me an added sense of ownership of these babies. I've been ready to upgrade to Presence since I first heard they were coming out last year. But there is something awesome about these Druids and their minimalist design. I love the super tight subwoofer-less lower end, and the coherence. There is no speaker tighter in the low end than Druid. I don't think I will ever be able to part with the Druids, might just have to buy Presence as a second pair!

    Anyway, keep up the awesome work. Zu remains the coolest company on my list...and that's from a guy whom works for Google-- a pretty cool company as well. :)

    Ok, well I'm off to my turtable experts here in the Bay Area to get my Linn LP12 turntable out of storage since moving, tuned up, and fitted with the Zu DL-103 which I received along with my Druid kit. Rock and roll!!

    Cheers,

    -- R.J.

  • Druid 08 upgrade kit customer feedback
    Sean, 

    I thought I would give you some feedback concerning the driver upgrade.

    Installation
    Instructional video and procedure conceptually very straight forward. The Fast On terminals were bit of a pain to take off as well as reconnecting new interface. It took quite a bit of time to "walk" the terminals off the connection point. This is a good thing for a solid contact, but you made it look soooooooooooo easy:) The same issue with slipping the new connections back on. I was concerned they were on properly to ensure a good connection.

    Sonics
    Initially I was used to my well broken in previous drivers, especially in the lower register department. However, right off the bat, I noticed a still cleaner presentation, where another layer of "film" was taken away. It almost reminds me when I put the Mother on the CD player. In addition, as you pointed out, the 3-D aspect vastly improved. A huge spatial difference in some music where the lower registers are the back drop or "wall" while the instruments are markedly forward. An example would be lower end synthesizer creating a steady backdrop through the performance while the other instruments dance up front and to the left and right. Instruments are well defined to give a sense of movement when the musician "rocks." There is a benny Goodman CD which has a track where Benny starts to really swing the clarinet. This perception seems to be reinforced. The last time I had that vision is when I was listening to electrostats! There are some recordings with the old drivers that definitely went beyond stage left and right. Now these same recordings give that as well as having to turn my head almost 90 degrees. The holography aspect is what seems to stand out right now. At some points, I'm given a perception of wearing a really  good set of headphones. I still need more hours at higher dB to regain the bass I had. Normally I would have the Mini-method set at 9 o'clock or less. I've had to increase the knob closer to 10 o'clock. [yep, this will come around with a bit more time. - Zu] With the tubes and the new upgrades, the listening experience is becoming transcendental!

    Thanks again! 

    Neil Williams


  • Druid Mk4 / 08 Upgrade Kit

    Zu Druid Mk4 / 08 Upgrade Kit
    Benefits & Changes

    Super-tweeter changes:
    • Complete remanufacture of driver with the removal of all shims, gaskets and screws.
    • Ferro-fluid is removed from gap.
    • Polyurethane bonding and the removal of all voids and shims on tweeter top-plate waveguide / voicecoil frame.
    • Complete bonding of composite phenolic dome diaphragm suspension to driver top-plate.
    • Repositioned / enhanced voicecoil / gap alignment.
    • Dynamic alignment process of voicecoil and gap to ensure correct tone and shove
(pre PU set).
    • Reflow voicecoil lead-in pots with high quality lead-free silver bearing solder. (RoHS)
    • 0.5% or better matching for quality of tone and efficiency.
    • 160 hours minimum factory burn-in post network termination.

    Super-tweeter high pass network changes:
    • Simple two component (Cs + Rs) network.
    • Kimber Kap 1.0 uF now featured in place of Solen based network.
    • New top performing Mills resistor with revised values.
    • Reduction of termination joints by two-thirds.
    • Direct connection of capacitor, resistor, FastOn via cold forged and sealed termination.
    • FastOn terminals are now terminated using the solderless Amp crimping process. 
    • Dramatic reduction of solder joints. In fact, the voicecoil lead-in pots are all that remain.
    • 0.1% matching.

    Full range driver changes:
    • Slight improvement in cone and cone binders.
    • Improved assembly tolerance.
    • 0.5% or better matched pairs.
    • 160 hours minimum factory burn-in, as we’ve been doing, but this time we kit and batch them to burn-in with the matched super-tweeter assembly. Also using some new music James selected for good, well rounded, musical appreciation.

    Why all the changes? Blame the Zu / DL-103. Applying lessons learned with the phono pickup, like removing all possible voids and removing or controlling resonance on plates, we’ve created a dramatically improved tweeter. All the above listed tweeter changes reduce plate resonance by more than 30dB and spread the Q by an octave; together changes also yield very tight batch tolerances—80% of the batch measuring within 2%.

    Not a lot of changes to the full range drivers, just a whole lot of care, testing, matching, and QC to ensure identical sound between channels. These changes were not possible when we were doing small runs. Now that we are batching 100 units at a time or greater we are able to hit these pretty fantastic tolerances.

    Bottom line, better resolution everywhere, sweeter highs, much better stereophonic recreation, better depth, better timing, more natural / convincing out of the chair listening... yeah, this the best $600 bucks you will spend on playback! Provided you all ready have a pair of pre 2008 Zu Druid loudspeakers.


    Zu Druid Mk4 / 08 Upgrade Kit Detail

    Kit will upgrade one pair of any version Druid to Mk4 / 08 status.
    All Druid loudspeakers sold before January 2008 are candidates for this upgrade.


    Kit includes:
    • One pair Zu260FRD/G2 2008 0.5% matched 10.3” drivers.
    • One pair Zu/APT30/G3 2008 0.5% matched super-tweeter drivers.
    • One pair Zu Druid Mk4 / 08 0.1% matched super-tweeter high-pass network.
(factory assembled and terminated to super-tweeter driver)
    • One, #1 square drive bit (wire detent).
    • Two, square drive screws incase of loss or screw-head scaring.
    • One role of masking tape.
    • One instructional DVD.
    • One Druid Mk4 / 08 Guidebook with notice of Mk4 / 08 purchase.

    Tools needed by person doing work:
    • One, interchangeable bit screwdriver. Basic type, wire detent, the kind most of us have kicking around the house.
    • One, 7/16” end wrench or basic adjustable wrench.

    Job difficultly:

    Easy. Only basic hand tool experience needed. Requires both hands. If you do not have any experience working on loudspeakers we recommend asking a buddy to help you, you might find a third hand helpful.


    Time to complete work: (provided you watch the instructional video...)

    2 hours or so for the less than handy or complete novice.
    1 hour or less for those having some experience with this kind of work.


    Price of the Druid Mk4 / 08 upgrade kit

    $600 plus shipping ($800 upfront, with a $200 refund with return of original drivers, old drivers must be packaged using the same container to ensure old drivers make it back in good recyclable condition.)

    Shipping weight is 25 pounds (11.4 kg) and measures 12-1/2” cubed (32 cm3)


    Warranty & Service:

    One year extension to original date of purchase 5-year warranty.
    Free service and tech support info@zuaudio.com or 800-516-8925.
    Free factory installation if you prefer, or if you run into a jam....


  • Zu / DL-103 "One of the Best Buys Ever"
    Tone Audio, check it out. A 43 Meg download PDF, worth it! Zu phono pickup review on page 14.
    " One of the Best Buys, Ever"


    "I'm more than happy to award the folks at Zu one of ur Exceptional Value Awards for 2008 with their DL-103. Honestly, this could be one of the best values in high-end audio. Whether you are new to the analog world, or stepping up from a lower priced cartridge, the Zu DL-103 should be able to keep you very happy for a long time!"

    Jeff Dorgay, Tone Audio No. 15 / 2008
    www.TonePublications.com

  • Zu Druid Commercial
    More art than commercial, in a very good way.



  • Zu / Dan Weldon "Simply About The Music" Commercial
    If you haven't, check it out.



  • Dan Weldon, Live Solo Vid


  • Stereophile / Zu DL-103

    Check it out. Sterephile has loaded Art Dudley's review of the Zu / DL-103 at Sterephile.com


    Review kinda reminds you of the old Corey Greenberg days doesn't it.

  • Sonic Flare / Zu Presence


    Danny Kaey (Positive Feedback Online / Sonic Flare) has lived with the Original Definition, Definition Pro, Definition Mk2 and now is comparing the Presence....

  • Zu/DL-103 ToneAudio blog

    Love that photo Jeff!

  • Zu/DL-103 FairAudio | 6moons Translation

    We dig the review! Posting the link yesterday without even an indication from FairAudio made me a bit nervous.... Awesome they dug it, and super cool of 6moons to translate from German to English!

  • Zu / DL-103R
    Zu's having 100 Denon DL-103R phono pickup motors built so we can do to them what we have done to the standard 103. They will begin shipping mid to late June and the price is $599. The motor on the R is very different from the standard, in some playback rigs the 103R is going to be better, in others the standard. We have sent our Zu / DL-103 as well as a prototype Zu / DL-103R to Tone Audio (www.tonepublications.com) for review. Other reviews to follow.

    Not trying to undercut Denon, but I did just notice the metal body Denon DL-103sa, which features the 103R motor, cantilever and stylus, but minus the potting of the motor and drilled and tapped mount like the Zu. It's also $799. Might have to raise the price to match, we don't want to piss Denon off....

    A hard hitting comparison review would be sweet! A toe to toe to toe against all three in three wildly different rigs.



  • FairAudio.com in Germany does the Zu / DL-103
    The German review site FairAudio.com reviews the Zu/DL-103. Not sure how they liked it, but based on the photos... my bet is they dug it. Check it out, and maybe we can get someone to translate it for us English only speakers.

    http://www.fairaudio.de/test/phono/quartal-2-2008/test-zu-audio-dl-103-tonabnehmer-pick-up-phono-1.html



  • Mohamed + Apple + Zu + SL1200

    Check that new Mac out, aluminum body engraved with the Techniques SL-1200 table and Zu logo.

    Right on Mohamed!