Quote:
Originally Posted by Dreadhead
I was thinking that the power supply was different. I was wondering if it made any difference to the sonic performance (Headphones aren't heavy loads so if the signal is as clean then I would think they would be the same).
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Chris,
As I said before I think that power supplies make a big difference. All an amplifier is doing is taking voltage and, well, amplifying it. The less ripple and the speed with which the power supply can respond to varying demand is of vital importance. The MAX modules draw a lot more power than the home so it seems to me that you'd want to couple those modules with the best power supply you can. Now, I'm sure the Home PS circuitry is no slouch, but the MAX appears to use higher spec parts.
I see three things that are definitely different between the picture Home and MAX amps above. In the max it looks like you're getting better rectifier diodes (the parts just to the right of the transformers), higher quality film caps (all those red box shaped things) and larger power supply reservoir caps (just to the right of the heatsinks).
FWIW I've heard the balanced Home with MAX modules in it, it sounded fantastic and while I wouldn't say it sounded cold it did have great detail and separation.