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| Headphone Amps (full-size) Discussion of desktop headphone amps. |
11-24-2008, 08:09 AM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Singapore
Posts: 498
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AudioPhewl
The card would be - IMO - broadly comparable to the stock Zero. Possibly slightly better, possibly slightly worse.
The real benefit of owning a Zero is how good it sounds with a little time and a few mods. I've got a modded Zero, and it would need to be a product of noticeably better sound quality for me to consider changing. Unfortunately, it would take much more money to have an appreciable increase in quality...
~Phewl.
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hey phewl did you change the volume knob on the zero? how's the stock knob?
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11-24-2008, 08:17 AM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Singapore
Posts: 498
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Quote:
Originally Posted by helicopter34234
For what it is worth, in relation to the discussion of the different methods of getting a digital signal into your Zero, I just tested the difference between the digital output of my crappy onboard sound card (Gigabyte motherboard) and the crappy usb optical output module that came with my Zero. On both the SPDIF and the optical signal from my onboard soundcard, I noticed popping and almost a background of static (faint but definitely noticeable) build up. Definitely noticeable distortion that even my ears could hear. With the usb to optical module I did not hear any distortion, popping, or static. I will let the other guys explain why this is so.
Why does everyone use the usb SPDIF versus a usb to optical module? Is the SPDIF better in some way?
This is along the same lines as the question previously being discussed, but wouldn't any distortion or degradation in the digital signal (between different methods of sending and quality of devices used for the conversion from PCM to the digital signal that the zero reads) be readily identifiable as it would manifest itself as pops, hisses, or static? This is opposed to the slippery nature of analog distortions where differences in quality are much harder to identify without ABX type testing. Am I correct with this?
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isn't optical spdif as well? i thought coax and optical were both spdif.
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11-24-2008, 08:18 AM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Singapore
Posts: 498
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ben Diss
The idea of converting a PCM stream in USB to a SPDIF signal has always seemed to me to be a good way to degrade the signal. I'm listening to my Zero through a Xitel MD-Port DG2 (USB->optical SPDIF converter). After reading these last few posts I thought I'd see if I could find a way to give the Zero PCM data straight from my PC. I figured out how to take the digital out from my X-Fi card and feed it to the Zero and...
Wow.
Did I mention ... WOW!
If there high freq harshness was a 8 on a 10 scale, now it's 2. Dramatic reduction.
I'm either going to buy a second sound card and dedicate it to feeding the Zero or look for alternative USB converters. Having said all that, are there any thoughts on the HD 2902 as compared to the Xitel? Maybe it's Coax vs. Optical? Maybe it's just removing the USB conversion step or maybe the Xitel just sucks?
Thoughts?
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how did you manage to get usb feeding PCM data straight to your zero bypassing the spdif??
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11-24-2008, 12:03 PM
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Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 66
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Quote:
Originally Posted by athenaesword
how did you manage to get usb feeding PCM data straight to your zero bypassing the spdif??
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Hmm... I probably didn't say that right. I connected the digital out on my sound card to the coax jack on the Zero.
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11-24-2008, 03:00 PM
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Junior Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 8
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New photo for ZERO DAC
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11-24-2008, 03:41 PM
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500+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Tbilisi - Georgia
Posts: 937
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Nice Pictures, Mr. Wong.
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11-24-2008, 04:16 PM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 141
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Quote:
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isn't optical spdif as well? i thought coax and optical were both spdif.
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Sorry, I meant both coax and optical. You are right, SPDIF includes both.
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11-24-2008, 06:12 PM
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Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: San Diego
Posts: 59
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I just got my Zero and my Xbox 360's optical out to it works just fine, but I'm not getting any audio using coax from my X-FI Xtreme Music. Do I HAVE to have that stupid digital I/O port they sell or can't I just run a 3.5mm to RCA SPDIF cord to my zero?
__________________
cult
–noun
1. a particular system of religious worship, esp. with reference to its rites and ceremonies.
2. An instance of great veneration of a person, ideal, or thing, esp. as manifested by a body of admirers: the physical fitness cult.
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11-24-2008, 07:35 PM
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500+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: United State of Britainland
Posts: 639
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Garret Jax
Thanks Phewl. What mods would you say are the best bang-for-your-buck? I have the OPA627AU and LT1364 in the headphone amp, but where should I go from here?
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IMO, the audio-gd HDAM module is the single upgrade needed for the Zero to sound in the next league up. Other mods are worthwhile, and have been discussed in-depth on this site, but the HDAM is a superb starting point for any upgrades.
The different flavours offer different sound characteristics. I've used the Earth and Sun modules - Earth is very neutral, Sun is more punchy and dynamic but more fatiguing for long-term use. No experience of the Moon, so I couldn't comment on that at all.
Quote:
Originally Posted by athenaesword
hey phewl did you change the volume knob on the zero? how's the stock knob?
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Standard knob. It serves its purpose adequately. There are better knobs out there, but I only want to part with cash for better sound.
Besides, I rarely use the headphone amp these days. My Stax cans came with their own dedicated amplifier.
~Phewl.
__________________
Senn 480II-13R cans, overshadowed by...
Black Stax SRS-4040II rig - awesome! Loving it! Certainly worth most of the extortionate amount of pennies it cost. ;-)
Compass DAC by Audio-GD - very, very nicely made with a lovely sound. First UK owner?
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11-24-2008, 09:15 PM
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500+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Somewhere, where the huskies go; Don't eat that yellow snow!
Posts: 529
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Sorry to disturb your op-swapping 
Brief question (Long thread is long):
Does the volume control apply to the line-out stage, meaning it would work as a preamp? I have a set of Adam A5 activespeakers, and would love to know if this amp is up for the job of functioning as an adequate headphone amp as well as setting the volume for my speakers..
Thanks in advance!
-K
__________________
Latetepetetepetetelatinolate. Music comes first, then headphones.. umm.. a good amp wouldn't hurt? Damn this h2o free copper really improves decay on my Grados!!! ... GangBangBoogie!
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11-24-2008, 09:27 PM
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Headphoneus Supremus
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Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: S. FLorida
Posts: 3,266
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Quote:
Originally Posted by electropop
Sorry to disturb your op-swapping
Brief question (Long thread is long):
Does the volume control apply to the line-out stage, meaning it would work as a preamp? I have a set of Adam A5 activespeakers, and would love to know if this amp is up for the job of functioning as an adequate headphone amp as well as setting the volume for my speakers..
Thanks in advance!
-K |
No problem there, mentioned on Page 1
__________________
<<<Les Garten>>> Leave the gun, take the cannoli -- Fat Clemenza circa 1950
Conversation with future Nobel Prize winner Doris Lessing in 1969: Lessing: "You do still have gangsters [in Chicago], don't you?" Studs Terkel: "Yes, but these days they're mostly in business, or politics."
"We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office" Aesop
Ich Bin Ein Europeaner!
JOIN TEAM Snake Oil
Head-Fi Feedback<<>> ebay Feedback<<>> Pink Noise Burn-In Tool!!
I Changed My Windows Desktop to a PIC of the Audio-GD REF 1
Witness the Birth of the Phoenix Phoenix
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11-24-2008, 09:43 PM
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500+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Somewhere, where the huskies go; Don't eat that yellow snow!
Posts: 529
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Quote:
Originally Posted by les_garten
No problem there, mentioned on Page 1
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Hehe.. right.. I'm embarrassed over the fact that i actually skipped through the initial review! Shame on me 
"*NOTE* I have an update for all Zero users. Thanks to other Zero users, the true "pre-amp" function (a volume controlled output feature) has been found.
If you press the button for Phones and the green light comes on, this means that "IF" a headphone is plugged in, the volume knob works for the headphone amp. If you don't plug in a headphone and the green light is on, the volume knob works for the DAC output! It was discovered by accident. If you need further clarification, don't hesitate to PM me directly. Thanks!! Penchum. "
This means another purchase for me
I also have to check for information considering the HDAM.
Has anything been discussed over any problems using the headphone amplifier with low-impedance phones? Hiss or anything?
Thanks again!
-K
__________________
Latetepetetepetetelatinolate. Music comes first, then headphones.. umm.. a good amp wouldn't hurt? Damn this h2o free copper really improves decay on my Grados!!! ... GangBangBoogie!
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11-24-2008, 10:02 PM
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Headphoneus Supremus
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Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: S. FLorida
Posts: 3,266
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Quote:
Originally Posted by electropop
Hehe.. right.. I'm embarrassed over the fact that i actually skipped through the initial review! Shame on me
"*NOTE* I have an update for all Zero users. Thanks to other Zero users, the true "pre-amp" function (a volume controlled output feature) has been found.
If you press the button for Phones and the green light comes on, this means that "IF" a headphone is plugged in, the volume knob works for the headphone amp. If you don't plug in a headphone and the green light is on, the volume knob works for the DAC output! It was discovered by accident. If you need further clarification, don't hesitate to PM me directly. Thanks!! Penchum. "
This means another purchase for me
I also have to check for information considering the HDAM.
Has anything been discussed over any problems using the headphone amplifier with low-impedance phones? Hiss or anything?
Thanks again!
-K |
How low impedance?
I have some Denon D5000's that I have coming tomorrow, they are 25 ohms, I'll let you know.
__________________
<<<Les Garten>>> Leave the gun, take the cannoli -- Fat Clemenza circa 1950
Conversation with future Nobel Prize winner Doris Lessing in 1969: Lessing: "You do still have gangsters [in Chicago], don't you?" Studs Terkel: "Yes, but these days they're mostly in business, or politics."
"We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office" Aesop
Ich Bin Ein Europeaner!
JOIN TEAM Snake Oil
Head-Fi Feedback<<>> ebay Feedback<<>> Pink Noise Burn-In Tool!!
I Changed My Windows Desktop to a PIC of the Audio-GD REF 1
Witness the Birth of the Phoenix Phoenix
Last edited by les_garten; 11-24-2008 at 10:04 PM.
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11-24-2008, 10:08 PM
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Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 55
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Quote:
Originally Posted by electropop
Has anything been discussed over any problems using the headphone amplifier with low-impedance phones? Hiss or anything?
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My Zero does give a audible hiss through my Grado SR60, when no music playing, volume is 3 o'clock and beyond.
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11-25-2008, 12:32 AM
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500+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Somewhere, where the huskies go; Don't eat that yellow snow!
Posts: 529
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Quote:
Originally Posted by les_garten
How low impedance?
I have some Denon D5000's that I have coming tomorrow, they are 25 ohms, I'll let you know.
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Thanks les_garten! I'll mostly be using my AD2000's which are 40ohm. But if Grado's present an audible hiss, they will probably too
Well, since it's a secondary rig, it won't matter
I'll be ordering my Zero very soon.
Any good place to get the HDAM-module from? It's probably an easy DIY since so many have done it .. hehee..
Thanks!
-K
__________________
Latetepetetepetetelatinolate. Music comes first, then headphones.. umm.. a good amp wouldn't hurt? Damn this h2o free copper really improves decay on my Grados!!! ... GangBangBoogie!
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