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Post by gns on Sept 28, 2007 19:03:06 GMT
BTW ignore boring farts like me, I just like to have an idea whats going off inside these amps just to give an idea what your getting Not boring, Leo... I find such information (most of the above, not only from you) interesting. I think the future of all Graham Slee preamplification (apart from the phono stages for reason of 40dB more gain at bass frequencies compared with 20kHz gain) is going to be using more appropriate technology. I think I've been guilty of using a sledgehammer to crack a nut, and observations such as the above when read together with the cited TNT review, show me that no matter how much blood, sweat and tears I put into op-amp based preamplification including headphones amps, I'm simply not gaining the clear leading edge I've been seeking. Yes, thanks to the responses here, it is good to see my efforts so far are making people happy, but my goal is set higher. I need to achieve it before I get much older, and it is high time I changed to another pathway, and hopefully the right one this time. Maybe I need to explore my ideas surrounding the Rock-Grotto amp project as the "bigger picture" - maybe something is pointing to me taking a new direction? So, for my part, winding threads like this are just great!
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Nigel
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Post by Nigel on Sept 28, 2007 22:59:25 GMT
Defo a Chiarra rip off lol. It has two headphone sockets.
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leo
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Post by leo on Sept 28, 2007 23:13:45 GMT
Sorry I missed your reply, that was a good find Minivan! a bit revealing mind
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 28, 2007 23:29:50 GMT
Graham You need to go back to discrete. You will remember that observation I made about differential pair matching for far better soundstage and apparent S/N improvement when diff pair collector voltages were less than +-5mV apart ? Well I have further refined that to <+-1mV difference in my preamplifier, and it gets even better, (EF is gone too!) with also an improvement to the natural warmth as well. DTV with mpeg audio has lost it's residual "graininess" too.
Looks like you should go back to your original ideas, and use transistor input stages that don't rely on such perfect balance for fabulous results. i.e. avoid the differential pair and current mirror , and go back to your roots. Alex
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leo
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Post by leo on Sept 28, 2007 23:31:40 GMT
BTW ignore boring farts like me, I just like to have an idea whats going off inside these amps just to give an idea what your getting Not boring, Leo... I find such information (most of the above, not only from you) interesting. I think the future of all Graham Slee preamplification (apart from the phono stages for reason of 40dB more gain at bass frequencies compared with 20kHz gain) is going to be using more appropriate technology. I think I've been guilty of using a sledgehammer to crack a nut, and observations such as the above when read together with the cited TNT review, show me that no matter how much blood, sweat and tears I put into op-amp based preamplification including headphones amps, I'm simply not gaining the clear leading edge I've been seeking. Yes, thanks to the responses here, it is good to see my efforts so far are making people happy, but my goal is set higher. I need to achieve it before I get much older, and it is high time I changed to another pathway, and hopefully the right one this time. Maybe I need to explore my ideas surrounding the Rock-Grotto amp project as the "bigger picture" - maybe something is pointing to me taking a new direction? So, for my part, winding threads like this are just great! Well Graham the Solo has certainly kicked a lot of ass, its going to take something really special to be a worthwhile step up from it. You only have to have a good look around to see it gets a lot of respect. The Rockgrotto project amp would be a great starter even if its not going to be exactly the same as something you'd supply as a finished product, hopefully theres enough guys on here handy with a soldering iron to give you feedback if you do decide to start something on here .
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Post by mtl on Oct 9, 2007 14:31:52 GMT
In the meantime I was able to do a little more comparison between the Heed and my Lehmann bcl - only this time I hooked both amps up in my office system: Onkyo C-705TX => TagMcLaren DAC20 => Heed / Lehmann (the DAC20 has two analogue outs). This made it easier to compare them directly, using a wide variety of headphones (Grado HP2, HD650, DT880, K501/701 and Ultrasone Proline 750). The Heed isn't bad at all - it sounds a little 'warmer' and at first sight seems to have more bass. But in fact it hasn't: the Lehmann's bass is tighter and better controlled. The Lehmann generally sounds more open, more spacy and makes it easier to follow things in the mix. It's not as if the Heed is less detailed per se - but if for example the drummer uses a brush, the Lehmann lets you hear HOW the brush is used - while the Heed just shows that there is a brush being used. I hope you get the idea... Now I'm waiting for the Solo to land, give it some time to settle in and then see how it compares to the Lehmann.
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Post by dc on Oct 9, 2007 14:51:36 GMT
mtl: no wonder the DT531 you sold me was in such immaculate condition... you have so many other great headphones!
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Post by mtl on Oct 9, 2007 15:27:13 GMT
mtl: no wonder the DT531 you sold me was in such immaculate condition... you have so many other great headphones! Indeed - some headphones do not get too much listening time... but then I just like to check out things for myself. Especially as head-fi tends to create a hype around some gear that just makes me wonder what the fuzz is all about.
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Post by dc on Oct 10, 2007 0:01:54 GMT
admittedly i've probably now also got more headphones than i can handle
i think it was 13 pairs at last count...
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FritzS
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Post by FritzS on Oct 10, 2007 8:09:35 GMT
Good description I compared WNA MKII with Solo - my feeling about - Solo lets you hear HOW the brush is used - with good emotional source gooseflesh (and raise one's hackles) guarantee
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Post by PinkFloyd on Nov 29, 2009 21:51:26 GMT
Just thought I'd revisit this old thread, Nigel and I were discussing the Heed a few weeks ago and we both regret selling ours on.... there was something truly magical about these amps
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leo
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Post by leo on Nov 29, 2009 22:10:48 GMT
The circuit is soooo simple, you could easily build it Infact at least building your own it would not suffer from shite components and caps fitted the wrong way ;D
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Post by PinkFloyd on Nov 29, 2009 23:21:07 GMT
The circuit is soooo simple, you could easily build it I know, but we are trying to assist / inform music lovers who don't necessarily know one end of a soldering from the other.... please remember that Leo..... not everyone is armed with a soldering iron or the skills to build an amp from scratch
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leo
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Post by leo on Nov 30, 2009 0:46:10 GMT
True, they also don't understand the various quality control issues
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 30, 2009 8:25:05 GMT
My problem is my ailing eyesight, today and yesterday I started populating a board. Man, did my eyes give me problems. Miguel Haven't you heard the phrase "Stop it, or you will go blind ?" Alex
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Post by PinkFloyd on Nov 30, 2009 22:32:36 GMT
My problem is my ailing eyesight, today and yesterday I started populating a board. Man, did my eyes give me problems. Miguel Haven't you heard the phrase "Stop it, or you will go blind ?" Alex That silly man will continue the five knuckle shuffle oblivious.... all he thinks about is "tits" ;D
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rowuk
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Post by rowuk on Dec 7, 2009 21:14:28 GMT
Gravity will play hell with her imaging in short order. In about 10 years all you will get is a wrinkle...............
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Post by clausdk on Dec 7, 2009 21:33:12 GMT
Gravity will play hell with her imaging in short order. In about 10 years all you will get is a wrinkle............... Her face will stay wrinkle free it is pulled tight all the time
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Post by Defecitve Audio Component on Nov 30, 2010 11:00:05 GMT
... and we are in 2010! How do you people feel about the Heed Can Amp right now? Is it good? (especially compared to the xcan v3)
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mrarroyo
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Post by mrarroyo on Nov 30, 2010 23:50:17 GMT
IMO the X-Can V2 is better than either.
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Post by PinkFloyd on Nov 30, 2010 23:55:42 GMT
IMO the X-Can V2 is better than either. I disagree! They all SOUND THE SAME! Matching them up with A pair of suitable 'phones? That's another cricket match.
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FauDrei
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Post by FauDrei on Dec 1, 2010 9:32:48 GMT
I disagree! They all SOUND THE SAME! ... ...er ...care to explain Mike?
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