matt7941
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Post by matt7941 on Oct 23, 2009 15:02:49 GMT
Good afternoon folks (in the UK only, other time zones may vary!). My fiancee has bought me one of these lovely little amp/DACs for Xmas and going off what has been said re the power supply, would I be right in thinking that a 25V 30VAC transformer hooked up to this: www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=3488would output a good clean 20V supply? I have a multimeter to check the output voltage and so should I just set this module to 20V or does it need to be set higher to take into account a "load" when connected to the Aune? Transformer: cpc.farnell.com/multicomp/mcfe030-25/transformer-encaps-30va-2x25v/dp/FF01606Please excuse my lack of knowledge. Cheers Matt
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Post by PinkFloyd on Oct 23, 2009 19:23:48 GMT
Good afternoon folks (in the UK only, other time zones may vary!). My fiancee has bought me one of these lovely little amp/DACs for Xmas and going off what has been said re the power supply, would I be right in thinking that a 25V 30VAC transformer hooked up to this: www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=3488would output a good clean 20V supply? I have a multimeter to check the output voltage and so should I just set this module to 20V or does it need to be set higher to take into account a "load" when connected to the Aune? Transformer: cpc.farnell.com/multicomp/mcfe030-25/transformer-encaps-30va-2x25v/dp/FF01606Please excuse my lack of knowledge. Cheers Matt Hi Matt, To use the Velleman within an 18V - 22V range you will need an AC transformer rated at 24V AC (30VA will be fine for this job) Set the output to 22V DC, it will drop a couple of volts under load. Actually, try it at 18V, 19V, 20V, 21V and 22V and see what sounds best to your ears All the best, Mike. PS: Rapid do it a quid cheaper
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matt7941
100+
Mmmmmmm... Pork scratchings.....
Say cheese!!!!!
Posts: 215
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Post by matt7941 on Oct 23, 2009 20:23:17 GMT
Thanks for the confirmation Mike.
The only problem is I've got to wait two months to hear the Aune, I'll have the power supply built before I've even heard the Aune in standard form. I'm just muddling along with the HD681s straight from the headphone output on a Micromega Stage 1 CD player and strangely enough they sound a little anaemic; Xmas can't come soon enough. C'est la vie!
Cheers
Matt
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Post by PinkFloyd on Oct 23, 2009 21:44:23 GMT
anaemic? They should'nt be sounding anaemic.... hell, even from the headout of an ipod they sound ballsy and authoritative...... Here's the thing though..... we don't know how consistent these 'phones are from batch to batch.... the few guys who have reported great things about them here may have struck it lucky.... QC (quality control) will be a bit hit and miss I'd imagine and a few lemons will make their way onto the market.... part and parcel of the production techniques and cheap retail price.....
Have you got anything else you can try them with? (like an Ipod) they should sound pretty decent out of quite uninteresting / bog standard head-outs.
Mike.
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matt7941
100+
Mmmmmmm... Pork scratchings.....
Say cheese!!!!!
Posts: 215
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Post by matt7941 on Oct 23, 2009 22:18:12 GMT
They're starting to open up now, just needed running in a little. They've been on for about 15hrs now on repeat and they're getting a good deal deeper. Already way better than a pair of Beyer DT331s I owned some time ago at any rate.
Matt
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Post by PinkFloyd on Oct 23, 2009 22:27:27 GMT
They're starting to open up now, just needed running in a little. They've been on for about 15hrs now on repeat and they're getting a good deal deeper. Already way better than a pair of Beyer DT331s I owned some time ago at any rate. Matt Keep us informed of the progress... I REALLY do rate these 'phones and it would be nice to know that "every" pair out there is consistent. Mike.
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toad
Been here a while!
I am the Super Toad, the Original Toad, the Whole Toad and nothing BUT the toad.... don't forget it!
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Post by toad on Oct 24, 2009 12:48:50 GMT
Just for info, the second pair of HD681s I got for portable use are just as good as the first having had a few days of constant MP3s.
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Post by PinkFloyd on Oct 24, 2009 14:32:26 GMT
Ok..... I've eventually popped the hood and have been trying a good few opamps from AD8620 to AD8066 to LM4562 to OPA627 (on Bdog) to OPA2227 to OPA2228 etc. etc. I have been pretty much BLOWN AWAY by the AD744 (on Bdog) running in class A. The purity of sound is just mindblowing, it brings up detail the OPA2604 simply smothers with varnish... this chip in the AUNE is an absolute revelation. Totally "open", extremely revealing with bass that just trounces the other chips I have tried.... the clarity just flows like liquid heaven... absolutely superb! I've taken some pics of the amp and will upload them later on this evening and also comment a bit more about the AD-744 in class A.
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Post by PinkFloyd on Oct 24, 2009 20:17:16 GMT
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Post by PinkFloyd on Oct 24, 2009 20:47:26 GMT
As can be seen from the above this is no piddling little circuit inside an aluminium enclosure... this is a VERY nice piece of kit indeed The AD-744 is continuing to astonish me, this is quite simply the best I have yet heard through a pair of headphones..... I've obviously got it wrong all these years saying that computer as source is "shit" Oh no it isn't! This is leaps and bounds better than any CD spinner I've heard and by quite some margin too.... I will be ripping all my CD's to the hard drive! This is one of these VERY rare occasions where I'm actually reluctant to tamper with an amp.... the Aune is just fantastic and I really don't "need" any more out of it.... The AD-744 is about as far as I'm going with this one (maybe experiment with the other opamp too ) apart from feeding it with a decent 20V power supply.... seriously, if it gets much better than this I think I'll pass out.... this is a MAJOR step up in sound quality from amps like the Graham Slee Solo, it's just so expansive and musical sounding.... These guys (The Chinese) sure aren't copying from any of the current British designers, that's for sure... to my ears this is a totally "new" sound and the type of sound I have been looking for all these years.... the AUNE, the Beyer DT-770 and Apple Lossless files = headphone Nirvana for this listener. It sounds even better with the Senn HD-250ll linears but they are a discontinued model so probably not fair to rave on about them ;D £94 GBP "shipped"? INSANE!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2009 22:02:50 GMT
Stop it, I'm drooling
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Post by PinkFloyd on Oct 24, 2009 22:22:10 GMT
Stop it, I'm drooling Chris, I'm sorry mate..... I hadn't heard the Aune when I was raving about the NG27 and, honestly, didn't expect the NG27 to be trounced X10 but the aune but it has been, and with bells on. If the Aune cost £500 and the NG27 £100 it would be difficult but the Aune costs £94 and the NG27 around £50........ quite simple really, get the NG-27 on ebay and buy the Aune.... we're talking £40 difference here ffs! NG27 is a superb little amp / DAC but, there's no other way of putting it, the Aune absolutely TROUNCES it in ALL depts., it also trounces (and I mean " TROUNCES") the Graham Slee Novo and Solo ( big time)..... You'll easily get back what you paid for the NG27 if you list in on ebay (new / unused)...... Seriously Chris.... do it.... the Aune is a MEGA leap forward in the Sonic Frontier
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Post by PinkFloyd on Oct 24, 2009 22:42:32 GMT
I don't normally do this but.......... I'll go as far as to say Apple Lossles files > AUNE > Beyer DT-770 you won't get much better than this at ANY price. I have built amps, repaired amps, listened to more amps than I have had hot dinners, have gone through a good 50 pairs of different headphones in my time and can HONESTLY say this is the best I have ever heard and, possibly, one of the cheapest rigs too: Aune £94 GBP shipped Beyer DT-770 £125 Plus the cost of your computer If you want to go a bit cheaper still.... the DT-770 can be substituted with the Superlux HD-681 (around £20 GBP).... performance is a bit more raw / in yer face compared to DT-770 but still a lot better than wasting megabucks on airy fairy 'phones like HD-650 / K701/2. I hope that a few of you will try the Aune / DT-770 / HD-681 and come back and let us know how you found it.... I am absolutely sure that the above combo will blow your socks off I've tried most available combos and this one is the dog's bollocks
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toad
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I am the Super Toad, the Original Toad, the Whole Toad and nothing BUT the toad.... don't forget it!
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Post by toad on Oct 25, 2009 14:40:19 GMT
I currently have the Aune and my Green Solo connected to my Arcam DV135. I have switched the Aune over to RCA input as the Arcam gives slightly better performance than via the SPDIF and I can play my SACDs through the Aune this way too.
The Aune is a hell of a DAC/AMP for the money but to my ears the Solo wins out on quality. I've done a lot of switching between the two over the last few days. There noise floor is lower on the Solo and there are nuances and subtleties in the music that the Aune cannot reproduce. The Solo is capable of conveying the delacate catch in a voice or a subtle inflection that the Aune cannot. Both are using the LM4562 chips as I rolled one into my Solo months ago and the sound signature is very similar but as I said the Solo pips the Aune to the post on Quality Especially on SACD recordings.
Mind you I am listening to this on AKG K701 "Fairy Phones" because I love the detail they present... LOL
For info though the Superlux HD681 also sounds great on the Aune as Mike has already stated.
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leo
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Team wtf is it?
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Post by leo on Oct 25, 2009 17:10:31 GMT
The Aune doesn't quite shit all over a Green Solo then Toad
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Post by Deleted on Oct 25, 2009 20:46:59 GMT
I currently have the Aune and my Green Solo connected to my Arcam DV135. I have switched the Aune over to RCA input as the Arcam gives slightly better performance than via the SPDIF and I can play my SACDs through the Aune this way too. The Aune is a hell of a DAC/AMP for the money but to my ears the Solo wins out on quality. I've done a lot of switching between the two over the last few days. There noise floor is lower on the Solo and there are nuances and subtleties in the music that the Aune cannot reproduce. The Solo is capable of conveying the delacate catch in a voice or a subtle inflection that the Aune cannot. Both are using the LM4562 chips as I rolled one into my Solo months ago and the sound signature is very similar but as I said the Solo pips the Aune to the post on Quality Especially on SACD recordings. Mind you I am listening to this on AKG K701 "Fairy Phones" because I love the detail they present... LOL For info though the Superlux HD681 also sounds great on the Aune as Mike has already stated. Toad I think that Mike has fallen in love with that little unit, and after the honeymoon is over, he may find she also has a couple of freckles he didn't notice earlier. AS Mike says, it IS great value for money, and a far better than normal entry level piece of gear. I would also suggest that at that price it is a no brainer for someone wanting to dip their toes in the PC Audio water. I don't blame Mike for loving that gorgeous little item. SandyK
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toad
Been here a while!
I am the Super Toad, the Original Toad, the Whole Toad and nothing BUT the toad.... don't forget it!
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Post by toad on Oct 25, 2009 20:58:57 GMT
Well let's put it this way Leo. I've just done some comparisons with the Aune and the Solo using Jazz at the Pawnshop as a reference and the Solo is way ahead on quality. Once again like my comparison between the HD681 and K701 the difference becomes most apparent when my Arcam warms up and starts to deliver it's full potentional. The Solo has so much more space between the instruments. So much detail in the notes. The percission sounds so much more real. The mids are warmer. The bass though less of it has more impact and depth. I'm not trashing the Aune though. Far from it. It's a fantastic bit of kit for the cash and I may well get one for work as well. However it's not a Solo slayer by any means. My Partner hit the nail on the head when she said the Aune is like watching a decent TV but the Solo is like watching in HD. Everything is so much more vibrant and engaging. Overall though as you say Alex. It's a cracking bit of kit for the cash and I can't blame Mike for loving it either. Heck I love mine too. toad (The other Ian)
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Post by PinkFloyd on Oct 25, 2009 21:10:37 GMT
Hold on a moment here Toad...... you are listening to your Solo with LM4562, I am listening to mine with AD823. You are listening to the Aune with LM4562 I am listening to mine with AD744 in Class A mode... already we are both listening to totally different examples ;D
You are comparing both from the output of a CD player, I haven't yet tried the Aune direct from the CDP.... I am comparing Aune with computer as source against Solo with CDP as source.... again, we are both listening to totally different things.
I will do a comparison with both connected to the output of a CDP player but, as it stands, the AUNE (playing lossless files) sounds a lot clearer and better defined than the Solo connected to the CDP.
For us both to hear the same thing we'd have to replicate.... ie: you running the Solo with AD-823 and the Aune with AD-744.... I'll gladly send you a couple of AD-744 but you'll have to get yourself a single to dual BrownDog from the likes of Tangent,
Mike.
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matt7941
100+
Mmmmmmm... Pork scratchings.....
Say cheese!!!!!
Posts: 215
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Post by matt7941 on Oct 25, 2009 21:14:31 GMT
Mike, stop it. At this rate I'm going to be raiding my fiancees cupboards to find where she's stashed this little beauty; I'm not wanting to wait, that much I do know.
You mentioned regarding the AD744 in class A mode. Does this mean modifying it in any way or is it biased in to class A as standard? I've already got the AD744s from your findings, along with an AD8066 and LME49720 (metal can), on order from Farnell's and a Browndog adaptor so was wondering if much work was required?
Cheers
Matt
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toad
Been here a while!
I am the Super Toad, the Original Toad, the Whole Toad and nothing BUT the toad.... don't forget it!
Posts: 1,223
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Post by toad on Oct 25, 2009 21:47:24 GMT
Hold on a moment here Toad...... you are listening to your Solo with LM4562, I am listening to mine with AD823. You are listening to the Aune with LM4562 I am listening to mine with AD744 in Class A mode... already we are both listening to totally different examples ;D You are comparing both from the output of a CD player, I haven't yet tried the Aune direct from the CDP.... I am comparing Aune with computer as source against Solo with CDP as source.... again, we are both listening to totally different things. I will do a comparison with both connected to the output of a CDP player but, as it stands, the AUNE (playing lossless files) sounds a lot clearer and better defined than the Solo connected to the CDP. For us both to hear the same thing we'd have to replicate.... ie: you running the Solo with AD-823 and the Aune with AD-744.... I'll gladly send you a couple of AD-744 but you'll have to get yourself a single to dual BrownDog from the likes of Tangent, Mike. I'm only putting in my two penneth Mike. Just reporting it as I hear it so to speak I have listened to WAVS from the Aune connected to two PCs and The SPDIF on my Arcam and the Arcams RCA outputs provide the best quality as far as the Aune is concerned. I believe we both like a different sound anyway. After all I think the AKG K701 has plenty of bass. Well at least it does after several hundred hours of bedding in but it's not to your taste. At least not anymore I tend to prefer a detailed but not analytical presentation and the Solo and LM4562 deliver this in spades. Like I've said I will most likely buy another Aune for my Work Rig and I think that says it all. This is a class bit of kit for the money. I'd have been happy with it at twice the price... Mind you I wouldn't be getting another one then ;D
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Post by PinkFloyd on Oct 25, 2009 22:57:28 GMT
Mike, stop it. At this rate I'm going to be raiding my fiancees cupboards to find where she's stashed this little beauty; I'm not wanting to wait, that much I do know. You mentioned regarding the AD744 in class A mode. Does this mean modifying it in any way or is it biased in to class A as standard? I've already got the AD744s from your findings, along with an AD8066 and LME49720 (metal can), on order from Farnell's and a Browndog adaptor so was wondering if much work was required? Cheers Matt Simply a case of snipping one leg off and bending another over I'll take a pic of the process.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 25, 2009 23:03:26 GMT
Mike, stop it. At this rate I'm going to be raiding my fiancees cupboards to find where she's stashed this little beauty; I'm not wanting to wait, that much I do know. You mentioned regarding the AD744 in class A mode. Does this mean modifying it in any way or is it biased in to class A as standard? I've already got the AD744s from your findings, along with an AD8066 and LME49720 (metal can), on order from Farnell's and a Browndog adaptor so was wondering if much work was required? Cheers Matt Simply a case of snipping one leg off and bending another over I'll take a pic of the process. Mike I agree that the AD744 is a nice chip, as I ordered a tube of 20 some time ago, and used them in an earlier preamp with a "booster " O/P stage. Would you also be able to check please if there is any change to the DC OUT, after the modification ? The simplified schematic suggests that there should be around 600mV, but it may not be the complete schematic, and if inside the feedback loop, it may possibly get corrected ? Alex
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matt7941
100+
Mmmmmmm... Pork scratchings.....
Say cheese!!!!!
Posts: 215
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Post by matt7941 on Oct 26, 2009 0:24:08 GMT
Right, ok I've done that but I seem to be haemorrhaging rapidly. Could someone call me an ambulance. Matt
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toad
Been here a while!
I am the Super Toad, the Original Toad, the Whole Toad and nothing BUT the toad.... don't forget it!
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Post by toad on Oct 26, 2009 15:08:20 GMT
Right, ok I've done that but I seem to be haemorrhaging rapidly. Could someone call me an ambulance. Matt Nice to see a sense of humor... It's a pity you've probably bled to death by now though ;D
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matt7941
100+
Mmmmmmm... Pork scratchings.....
Say cheese!!!!!
Posts: 215
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Post by matt7941 on Oct 26, 2009 15:30:03 GMT
Not quite yet, but I must say it seems to have affected my tap dancing. I just seem to have lost the rhythm somehow, but I can't quite work out why.
Matt
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