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Post by maio on Jun 30, 2014 18:53:48 GMT
Hello,
So, several days of googling around for a suitable DAC has lead me to all sorts of random forums and suggestions. Instead of getting more educated I find myself becoming more and more confused.
Just now, after posting a thread on a Swedish forum, I received a link to a rather infamous person when it comes to amps and dacs, namely nwaguy. I have read a large number of positive reviews and seen a fair share of recommendations of the 02+odac combo. What took me by surprise are a few articles posted by nwaguy where he says that the output impedance should be an eight of the headphones impedance.
I also scrolled through an older thread on this forum about the AKG 701, where I saw a few comments that a can like HD600 (which I own) are better off with an amp with a high output impedance. As this could possibly lead to a deeper bass and a more subtle treble with the HD600.
Is there a rule to somewhat follow, or is this one of those endless discussions without a clear answer?
I'm quite curious as I today have an x-can v2, and I sometimes find my HD600 a bit light on bass, if switching my amp for a V8 (which I think Mike recommended in the K701 thread) would that give some difference in SQ since the output impedance increases?
Thanks guys!
Best, Anthony
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Post by Deleted on Jun 30, 2014 22:08:14 GMT
nwavguy appears to have disappeared without trace. Like many EEs he has strong convictions in some areas, but that doesn't always mean they are correct. IEC61938 stated that headphones should be driven from a source impedance of 120 ohms, irrespective of their impedance. Many headphones did conform to those specifications, however this old standard is no longer widely used. These days it's probably easier to start off with something like a 68 ohms output impedance and fine tune this value to improve the overall response from the headphones. Put simply: Increase the output impedance and you will get the impression that the low end has improved, and decrease the impedance and the HF area will appear to have improved. One problem with the old standard was that you then needed much higher supply voltage rails to properly drive some headphones to a satisfactory level. Alex
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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2014 2:01:51 GMT
Very true Alex. How times change. Funny thing, I know a few people who have reported to be impressed with driving the Senn HD600/650 from integrated amps and receivers of the 70's and 80's.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2014 2:08:16 GMT
Very true Alex. How times change. Funny thing, I know a few people who have reported to be impressed with driving the Senn HD600/650 from integrated amps and receivers of the 70's and 80's. Hi Dale Many of those amplifiers back then had something like 330 ohm resistors in series with the outputs for headphone use, to avoid destroying the headphones.
Kind Regards Alex
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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2014 12:46:13 GMT
Very true Alex. How times change. Funny thing, I know a few people who have reported to be impressed with driving the Senn HD600/650 from integrated amps and receivers of the 70's and 80's. Hi Dale Many of those amplifiers back then had something like 330 ohm resistors in series with the outputs for headphone use, to avoid destroying the headphones.
Kind Regards Alex
Yeah, in 1974 I plugged my Beyerdynamic DT48 (5 ohms) into the 1/4 inch jack on the front of my Crown DC60a power amp, thinking it was a headphone jack. Fortunately there was no music playing, but I heard the loudest hiss and hum I've ever experienced.
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Post by maio on Jul 6, 2014 19:07:44 GMT
nwavguy appears to have disappeared without trace. Like many EEs he has strong convictions in some areas, but that doesn't always mean they are correct. IEC61938 stated that headphones should be driven from a source impedance of 120 ohms, irrespective of their impedance. Many headphones did conform to those specifications, however this old standard is no longer widely used. These days it's probably easier to start off with something like a 68 ohms output impedance and fine tune this value to improve the overall response from the headphones. Put simply: Increase the output impedance and you will get the impression that the low end has improved, and decrease the impedance and the HF area will appear to have improved. One problem with the old standard was that you then needed much higher supply voltage rails to properly drive some headphones to a satisfactory level. Alex
Hello Alex,
That's very interesting, I'll definitely keep that in mind if and when I'll do an upgrade.
Strange that nwaguy has disappeared as well, he seemed to be very convinced that cheaper amps and dacs did an equal, if not better, job in terms of performance.
Best, Anthony
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Post by Deleted on Jul 7, 2014 12:38:40 GMT
From my limited experience with small battery-powered amps including the O2, I'd guess that a combination of simplicity and smart design can excel above some of the larger more expensive designs. But if (which may never happen) someone replicates NwAvGuy's design and uses better parts, better isolation and shielding etc., then it should sound better.
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