oldson
Been here a while!
Older than a well used glove
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Post by oldson on May 26, 2013 22:34:09 GMT
anyone plan trialling this? either as pre built or diy.
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Post by PinkFloyd on May 27, 2013 9:50:19 GMT
anyone plan trialling this? either as pre built or diy. What is it?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 27, 2013 10:10:21 GMT
anyone plan trialling this? either as pre built or diy. What is it? It's the most recent "glowing thingie" collaboration between Frans and Jeremy. www.garage1217.com/graphic_design_004.htmJeremy also has quite a presence on ebay with statements that others in the series (Sunrise - more than 10 available etc.) were designed in the USA and The Netherlands. Frans appears to be playing 2nd fiddle to Jeremy in the ebay promotions , but perhaps that's how he wants it ? Alex
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oldson
Been here a while!
Older than a well used glove
Posts: 414
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Post by oldson on May 27, 2013 19:23:03 GMT
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oldson
Been here a while!
Older than a well used glove
Posts: 414
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Post by oldson on May 27, 2013 21:08:47 GMT
maybe i should stick to mecanno
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 27, 2013 22:12:44 GMT
After being very disappointed in the old G2 (the inspiration behind the Sunrise, Horizon & Ember, all of which I have never heard), even after the full modifications, which definitely improved matters, I still thought it poor. If you must go hybrid a nice MF X-Can Vn with some of the well documented mods done to it would give a lot of pleasure.
The two best modifications for my G2 were 1) a new case which looked far nicer to my eyes and 2) Stopped using it and put it away somewhere! It is my only headphone amp that never sees action.
BTW, I was also a Lego boy.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 27, 2013 22:12:46 GMT
BTW, Project Ember is capable of just under 2W. That kind of power into the wrong headphones, and if not used with a great deal of care , may result in permanent hearing damage. I was under the impression that EU legislation attempts to reduce hearing damage among the population by restricting available headphone amplifier output ? I don't necessarily agree with that, but that legislation should perhaps be taken into consideration if sold to people in EU countries, Perhaps clear warnings in the documentation, about the dangers of long term exposure to high sound levels ? I wonder how they would stand legally if a customer in the EU sued due to hearing damage caused by using this item if there weren't such clear warnings? Unfortunately, you can't legislate against lack of common sense.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 29, 2013 1:43:56 GMT
I have been advised by Frans that warnings about the possibility of hearing damage, and the need for due care with higher than normal listening levels with this amplifier ,which is capable of much higher than normal output power , will be printed in the yet to be completed User Manual. Sometimes, with an amplifier that is very clean sounding at higher levels, it is possible to unwittingly listen at levels higher than you normally would. I have also suggested to Frans, that as the only currently available review unit is presently doing the rounds in the U.S.A. that he should consider sending his prototype to Mike for a completely professional review of it's performance. Better than ebay quality photos of a production unit could also be sent to Mike along with the prototype. At least one member has expressed an interest in hearing one, and I feel sure that others do too. Mike has already indicated to me that he would like to hear it. All of the regulars will be aware of Mike's keen interest in quality HYBRID headphone amplifiers. Also to be remembered, is that this product uses quality components in it's construction, and not cheap generic components sourced from Asia. The assembled version was also made in the U.S.A. Alex
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oldson
Been here a while!
Older than a well used glove
Posts: 414
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Post by oldson on May 29, 2013 19:46:18 GMT
apart from wanting to build a kit amp for myself, i am also in the market for a set of planar cans. among my shortlist is the HE-6. i read somewhere that this amp would be able to drive them (assuming my panda cant of course). i have also read that the schitt lyr knocks out 4-5w into he-6, so i assume it is more dangerous to hearing than the ember? but surely this is only a problem if you crank them up too far. if i listen at the same sound level as i do out of my panda/d7000 rig then it would not be a problem. or would it?
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Post by Deleted on May 29, 2013 21:50:16 GMT
apart from wanting to build a kit amp for myself, i am also in the market for a set of planar cans. among my shortlist is the HE-6. i read somewhere that this amp would be able to drive them (assuming my panda cant of course). i have also read that the schitt lyr knocks out 4-5w into he-6, so i assume it is more dangerous to hearing than the ember? but surely this is only a problem if you crank them up too far. if i listen at the same sound level as i do out of my panda/d7000 rig then it would not be a problem. or would it? oldson Neither amplifier will be dangerous to hearing if used sensibly with the type of headphone that is designed to be driven by high powered HAs. The problem arises when low impedance or more sensitive headphones are used with higher powered headphone amplifiers. Even with the S.C. (Jaycar) HA kit that was popular in RG a couple of years ago, there was provision on the PCB for different straps to suit headphones such as 8 ohms, in order to reduce the possibility of hearing damage. Higher impedance headphones could be used with the 8 ohm settings, but Silicon Chip magazine added a warning. The attached is from that page. Regards Alex
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Post by Deleted on May 29, 2013 22:54:38 GMT
I am also in the market for a set of planar cans. among my shortlist is the HE-6. i read somewhere that this amp would be able to drive them (assuming my panda cant of course). I have a pair of these, superb headphones but they do require a lot driving. I have heard them with Hifiman's EF5 amp, 2W per Channel into 50 ohms and it is excellent. I would have bought it or the EF6, 5W per channel but I found that the MF V8 does a really good job with them, albeit well turned up so I use that a lot. It has the optional V8 X-PSU. Hifiman apparently claim that the HE-6 can handle up to 40W! I have a Sugden A21 speaker amp which was out of use so bought the Hifiman adapter box (just a few resistors apparently so could be built DIY) and that has all the power the HE-6 will ever need, about a quarter turn on the volume is all it takes so some care needed, as with all powerful sound. They DO tend to be played loudly so it's as well to keep a reality check active. I have the original Panda, don't know which one you have, it doesn't do the job with the HE-6. Syd
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Post by PinkFloyd on May 30, 2013 19:04:56 GMT
I would love to have a listen. I have always been a fan of the hybrid amp and this forum was pretty much started because of my passion for them. I have number 002 (of 004) Project Sunrise, designed by Frans, and it totally trounces any of the Indeed / Bravo variants both in sound quality and stability..... it is well thought out, user friendly and longevity is assured due to the well thought out design, component implementation. The Ember looks really interesting and I may well order a kit from Jeremy and build it from the ground up / take some decent photos of the build / review the final build (after 200 hours burn in)..... the weather is getting better and, thus, I am like a pig in mud out in the workshop Happy to do anything with my soldering iron Mike.
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Post by Deleted on May 31, 2013 12:11:50 GMT
I would love to have a listen. I have always been a fan of the hybrid amp and this forum was pretty much started because of my passion for them. I have number 002 (of 004) Project Sunrise, designed by Frans, and it totally trounces any of the Indeed / Bravo variants both in sound quality and stability..... it is well thought out, user friendly and longevity is assured due to the well thought out design, component implementation. The Ember looks really interesting and I may well order a kit from Jeremy and build it from the ground up / take some decent photos of the build / review the final build (after 200 hours burn in)..... the weather is getting better and, thus, I am like a pig in mud out in the workshop Happy to do anything with my soldering iron Mike. Hi Mike Should be an interesting exercise. You have more than enough different valves to put it through it's paces too. Kind Regards Alex
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oldson
Been here a while!
Older than a well used glove
Posts: 414
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Post by oldson on May 31, 2013 16:50:55 GMT
as soon as i get time/fund i will take my panda/dac over to hifilounge and try the 3 phones that interest me. it may be that i prefer the lcd-2, in which case the panda should be plenty powerful enough. if the he-6 comes out on top, my gut feeling is speaker amp and he adapter. either way i need to keep my current set-up for later night listening.
if i am really lucky i wont like any of them, and my wallet will remain intact.
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Post by PinkFloyd on May 31, 2013 18:43:00 GMT
as soon as i get time/fund i will take my panda/dac over to hifilounge and try the 3 phones that interest me. it may be that i prefer the lcd-2, in which case the panda should be plenty powerful enough. if the he-6 comes out on top, my gut feeling is speaker amp and he adapter. either way i need to keep my current set-up for later night listening. if i am really lucky i wont like any of them, and my wallet will remain intact. The only thing with these open frame amps is they are susceptible to RFI. I still get advanced warning through my Sunrise when the mobile phone is about to ring...... doesn't really bother me but some people may find it a bit annoying. I would like to see the same amp but housed in a shielded enclosure.... I don't really "want" to see the valve sticking out of the top and don't need to see the base lit up with LED's.... all of the gubbins should be shielded from RFI (IMO) I'm also not too keen on those switched mode power supplies, yet another source of noise. Having said that, these open frame amps don't sound half bad but I wonder how much better they would sound with a decent PSU / housed in a shielded enclosure.
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Post by techboy on Oct 6, 2013 5:09:53 GMT
Anybody bought it? Have you Mike? I have and so has oldson. Anybody else party to the game?
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Post by Deleted on Oct 6, 2013 12:09:48 GMT
I must admit to never having heard it but it is based on a design that proved to be unreliable and gave poor sonic results, the "Indeed G2". I don't doubt this offering is at least reliable and been improved sonically but it's not somewhere I'd like to go. The open frame design is also a no-no due to all the potential interference from other devices, e.g. mobile phones, wifi etc. Add to that living in a hot country, same as you do, I really don't want to be sitting too close to a headphone amp. that gives off so much heat. If using as a preamp I would go for a unit specifically designed for that job.
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Post by techboy on Oct 6, 2013 14:00:26 GMT
1. It isn't designed Iike indeed. Ember isn't even class A. It is a completely new design. 2. It doesn't get warm, leave alone hot. 3. So far at least two people have heard panda and ember both and both of them no longer use the panda 4. Give it a shot You might change your mind
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Post by Deleted on Oct 6, 2013 15:13:41 GMT
I'll give you that one after checking the site! As I already have an extremely capable designat home I really don't want to go backwards now! As a DIY project the cost was similar/less too. Enjoy yours though, if you have upgraded to it I'm sure you'll be very happy with it. It should be better than a Panda, being more expensive (by 33% for a full kit if memory serves) and lacking an enclosed metal chassis, giving it a huge price advantage. Please don't look to people to confirm the rightness of your purchase. It's yours, you like it and that's what counts.
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Post by techboy on Oct 6, 2013 18:03:06 GMT
Thank You
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Post by PinkFloyd on Oct 6, 2013 19:37:50 GMT
I must admit to never having heard it but it is based on a design that proved to be unreliable and gave poor sonic results, the "Indeed G2". I don't doubt this offering is at least reliable and been improved sonically but it's not somewhere I'd like to go. The open frame design is also a no-no due to all the potential interference from other devices, e.g. mobile phones, wifi etc. Add to that living in a hot country, same as you do, I really don't want to be sitting too close to a headphone amp. that gives off so much heat. If using as a preamp I would go for a unit specifically designed for that job. I totally agree with Chris regarding the "open frame" nature of these designs, they DO pick up RFI quite simply because they are not housed in shielded enclosures).... they are also dust collectors and being "open frame" are not ideal if you have children with inquisitive hands.
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Post by ukemaxxer on Feb 5, 2014 20:42:16 GMT
I must admit to never having heard it but it is based on a design that proved to be unreliable and gave poor sonic results, the "Indeed G2". I don't doubt this offering is at least reliable and been improved sonically but it's not somewhere I'd like to go. The open frame design is also a no-no due to all the potential interference from other devices, e.g. mobile phones, wifi etc. Add to that living in a hot country, same as you do, I really don't want to be sitting too close to a headphone amp. that gives off so much heat. If using as a preamp I would go for a unit specifically designed for that job. I totally agree with Chris regarding the "open frame" nature of these designs, they DO pick up RFI quite simply because they are not housed in shielded enclosures).... they are also dust collectors and being "open frame" are not ideal if you have children with inquisitive hands. Old thread resurrection! I have the Project Horizon, very similar to Ember. I am one of those whose Panda languishes firmly at the back of the cupboard. Horizon sounds far better than the Panda in my opinion, my Horizon was also a kit built by me. Also on the RFI point, I will completely disagree here. Yes unshielded devices do usually warn of incoming phone calls, but when I got the Horizon built, I sat my mobile on top of it turned the ringer off, started music playing and rung the phone. Not a bit on interference came through the headphones.
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