Gain imbalance

[andyr]

Hi all.

Been lurking for a bit, while on the look out for a new headphone amp. Finally got myself an X-can v2 to go between a Meridian 208 cd player and my HD600's. Have been using an ancient QED thing for ages, but it had to go.

This is one ebay purchase that I'm well pleased with. The one thing I have noticed is that the volume balance is slightly out. It's only slight, but once you've noticed it, you can't help but not notice it, if you know what I mean (god I hate that saying!). The left channel is louder.

I know that pots don't always track that well, and the imbalance gets less as volume is increased, but my ears can't stand that type of volume for long. Has anyone had this problem?

I was either thinking of doing the gain mod (at the momment I've got an attenuated interconnect). Or would a pot change be more benificial-what value 10K or 50Kohm?

Sorry for the long spiel on my first post - they won't all be like that. Any advice will be very gratefully received.

Without being too creepy, may I just say what a great site and forum.

Regards
andyr

[PinkFloyd]

Hi Andy,

They all exhibit a slight "left side" imbalance at low volume levels... it's crosstalk and as common as muck in V2's... replacing the pot will not get rid of it. There is every chance that your pot also doesn't track too well at low levels so replacing with a well matched one will minimise the imbalance as will altering the gain www.rock-grotto.co.uk/X-canv2-gain-adjustment.html

There will always be a slight amount of sound coming out of the left channel at zero volco setting.... it's part and parcel of the amp and common in ALL of them.... thing is, none of us listen at zero volco setting and it only becomes annoying if you keep thinking about it.... try the gain mods, they should help.

I supply the Mini ALPS replacement pots and they definitely track a lot more accurately than the generic types MF fit as standard.... sonically there's not much difference between 10K or 50K though, theoretically, 10K should be less "noisy".... I supply both.

Mike.

[andyr]

Thanks for the advice guys. I've just put in 47Ks in place of the original 27Ks. I'll see how this goes first, then take it from there. It's been about 20 years since I've done any soldering, and you can tell. I think a blind butcher could have done a neater job, but thats part of the fun I 'spose.

I'll let you know want I think of the change soon.

[PinkFloyd]

May 18, 2009 19:00:54 GMT andyr said:

Thanks for the advice guys. I've just put in 47Ks in place of the original 27Ks. I'll see how this goes first, then take it from there. It's been about 20 years since I've done any soldering, and you can tell. I think a blind butcher could have done a neater job, but thats part of the fun I 'spose.

I'll let you know want I think of the change soon.

Hi Andy,

Don't be frightened to go over the joints again with a hot soldering iron..... you are looking for the solder to melt and form a small "pool".... if it resembles the rocky mountains then you haven't melted it enough / iron is too cold..... place the hot iron on the joint and feed in a bit more solder, this should help to tidy it up a bit.

Mike.

[andyr]

Had a couple of days to listen to for any changes. The imbalance is definately better, not perfect but something I can live with. Since the pot. gets turned to about the 10 o'clock position when not using my attenuated interconnect, I thick I'll change the resisters again. Probably try 68K next (or the nearest value to 68K if its not standard).

Mike, I got my work to order the ALPS 10k pot from RS, but I'll deffo be coming to you soon for the cap. upgrade, as I get some screetching in one channel when turning the amp off. Although no caps look bulged I still suspect them after reading another thread on hear. I just want to wait abit to get familiar with the sound first, so hopefully I'll reap the rewards of any improvement.

andyr