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PS-1 : Balanced v. Single Ended

post #1 of 9
7/13/06 at 8:53pm
Thread Starter 
Anyone who has experience care to comment on the differences in sound running the PS-1 balanced v. single ended. I am currently running the PS-1 out of an Earmax Pro and out of an AT-DHA3000. It sounds very good out of the Earmax Pro and fabulous of the AT-DHA3000, but I am considering parting with the DHA3000 (and its L3000 mate) and since the PS-1's I have were already balanced by the previous owner (using original grado cable), I might replace the amp with a balanced one. Unfortunately, I just don't have the time to audition options. So I'm looking for anedoctal experience running the PS-1's balanced and people's subjective experiences about the differences between that and single ended. Any relevant recommendations appreciated (and any synergistic balanced DAC recommendations would be helpful - I'm a PC Audio Squeezebox III guy).

Thanks.
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post #2 of 9
7/14/06 at 6:57am
I can't say i have a balanced pair.But i have been thinking about getting another and recableing it untill i realized that the rest of my gear would have to be upgraded to do so and that's where it stops.

Hopefuly someone can answer you better.
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post #3 of 9
7/14/06 at 8:17am
PS1s improvve quite a bit balanced in fact the only 2 cans that have larger gains are the RS1 and R10. It really depends on your budget, PS-1s sound fantastic single ended but I expect the two biggest things you would notice is an increase in speed, and a significant tightening of the bass boom.
For reccomendation's
Ray Samuel B52 (haven't heard it; but he shows it with PS1s, and it has gotten very favorable comments)
SinglePower Solid State (If it EVER comes out)
Headroom balanced max probably wouldn't be bad either, but I think youd want to have a pretty good source to justify owning one because of its highly revealing nature.
SDS-XLR
These are all 2000+ balanced amps, though if yyour budget is lower, or you dont have a real source (you're using the DHA3000;upgrade your source first [garbage in...]) I would rather invest in single ended.
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post #4 of 9
7/14/06 at 11:14am
Most headphones, the PS1's included, benefit from a "balanced" configuration. Just try an hd600 vs. a balanced hd600. It's just that final fine tuning that takes a headphone to the next level.

While a balanced headphone is clearly better, there are factors to consider. The cost of a balanced amp, they are all fairly expensive. The cost of adapting your headphone(s), if they are not already adapted. The convenience, and versatility. The cable can be on the heavy side to move around with, and you will need an adapter if you want to use if on any single ended systems, as well as your balanced rig.

For those seeking the absolute finest listening experience, without compromise, balanced is the way to go. If you can live with the other factors.

- augustwest
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post #5 of 9
7/14/06 at 11:33am
I have recently tried to balanced my HD540G. But, I find that the balanced amp is really very very expensive. I have tried the balanced output from my old Marantz CD11mk2. It drives the 540G without problem and sound seems to be better than RCA from same player.
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post #6 of 9
7/14/06 at 12:30pm
I have a question,could i connect balanced pair of ps-1 to apogee xlr output while connect to laptop thru usb?I have a pair of ps-1 coming and my apogee is suppose to have good synergy with it.i am considering sending it to moon audio to get black dragon recable and terminated with xlr connector.
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post #7 of 9
7/14/06 at 9:29pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by heymaceo
Anyone who has experience care to comment on the differences in sound running the PS-1 balanced v. single ended. I am currently running the PS-1 out of an Earmax Pro and out of an AT-DHA3000. It sounds very good out of the Earmax Pro and fabulous of the AT-DHA3000, but I am considering parting with the DHA3000 (and its L3000 mate) and since the PS-1's I have were already balanced by the previous owner (using original grado cable), I might replace the amp with a balanced one. Unfortunately, I just don't have the time to audition options. So I'm looking for anedoctal experience running the PS-1's balanced and people's subjective experiences about the differences between that and single ended. Any relevant recommendations appreciated (and any synergistic balanced DAC recommendations would be helpful - I'm a PC Audio Squeezebox III guy).

Thanks.
Make your way to the summer NYC meet this sunday,there will be balanced amps you can try .Check the meetings thread for info.
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post #8 of 9
7/14/06 at 9:32pm
The biggest improvement with balanced PS1s is in the bottom end with much better bass control. Stock PS1s always sound a bit muddy to me and balancing them seemed to clean it right up.
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post #9 of 9
7/14/06 at 10:02pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by bozebuttons
Make your way to the summer NYC meet this sunday,there will be balanced amps you can try .Check the meetings thread for info.
Only wish I could - too bad its not next month...
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