I'll soon be able to make the comparison but for months now I've been curious: how different are the ZROCK2 and ZROCK3? There are some ZROCK3 out there in the world now . . . can anoyne report on how the two compare with one another? I'll make a comparison and report when I can.

To avoid enduring a break-in period in the main system when my ZROCK3 arrives I'm thinking of putting it into the headphone only system to replace the ZROCK2 there (which is my first one, without Anniversary Mods), letting it simmer in for a few weeks before swaapping it into the main system. Doing that should allow me to do a basic comparison between the two models right away as well, with the hedphones taking the room out of the equation (that headphone system sounds damned good right now!)

Well, it's silly to make any specific comments after 38 hours of use perhaps, but I really do like this new ZROCK3.

It has what I really like in the ZROCK2 as well as important changes.

The new caps sounded different immediately. Their nature seems to sit comfortably between the Miflex and the Jupiter. Not quite as "big" sounding as the Jupiter, nor as "tight" sounding as the Miflex. There's a richness that I like, just a touch, I always like a touch of richness. Steve told me that this would have a "vintage" tone. Perhaps . . . that might be one way to describe it. I like their overall sound so far.

I am sure the new transformer, wiring, layout, removing the bypass switch et al are making important contributions. I have to say that the ability to adjust the gain SEPARATELY from the EQ is a boon. Applying just about two thirds of the gain that the ZROCK2 would have coupled with the EQ gives a touch more clarity and dynamics, eliminiating the touch of "mud" that I got so used to with the ZROCK2 when the EQ is at the most extreme ends of the "Green Zone' where I tend to need it for frequency reasons.

The ZROCK2 is great--though I just sold one I still have two in use. The ZROCK3 is proving to be just as great with differences I am enjoying.

Hey Jon,
Yes, I got all the expensive options--"audiophile caps," Level 2 Anniversary mods, voltage regulation. Gulp. Not a cheap proposition, but my experience with the ZROCK2 led me to believe that they are worth it as they improve the sound.

The feet are stick on feet. I remove them, I am using Stack Audio EVO feet under all my components now.

Tube life. . . well I have used a number of tubes over the years, in my three ZROCKs (all 2 until Thursday) and I can't really say how long one particular tube will last but I believe Steve when he says that the tubes in the ZROCK will last twice as long as elsewhere. That's a long time!

I don't know if you'll need "extra fuses." You'll get a spare with the unit, and I've never had a fuse blow in the ZROCK2, and I've had some expensive ones in there. This year I got a Swiss Digital Fuse Box with a Graphene Sluggo for the ZROCK2 this is replacing. I really like what the Swiss Digital Fuse Box and Graphene Sluggo do--I have four in the system now.

As for tubes--this component will show you the nature and characteristic of each tube you place in the ZROCK. Steve will send you a good one--he has always sent a fully tested and interesting NOS tube with the component. Of the five ZROCK2 I have bought (I sold one a few years ago to Will) each tube Steve has sent has been different and quite good sounding. So don't be suprised if you find yourself tube-rolling. . . or not, you'll have a great tube right off the bat.

Yes, the VR tube will likely last the life of the unit, or your life. If it fails I'm sure Steve will replace it, wire a new one in. But VR tubes last for a long long time.

You may not develop the habit of tube-rolling, especially if you just have this one tube and one tube component. Sometimes I wish I had never developed the habit, but it sure has been a lot of fun.

My new ZROCK3 arrived and I noticed it is labeled for a 3 amp fuse. I see in the manual it is specced like the ZROCK 2 at 1.6 amp fuse. My SDFB is specced at 1.6 amp. Will there be any harm hooking up the ZROCK 3 to the SDFB?

Appreciate the quick reply, Lon. I had a feeling it is mislabeled. I'm going to give a call later and confirm but ready to start the break in process.

Great news. Thanks.