Does the EAR HP4 have balanced outputs?

Nov 28, 2006 at 12:23 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 15
Zanth

Zanth

SHAman who knew of Head-Fi ten years prior to its existence
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I'm a little embarassed. I have owned this unit for over a year and I always assumed the balanced inputs and outputs were from a balanced source, to a balanced amp, and the button on the front (a power amp pass through) would mute speakers providing headphone-only listening.

I read on Todd's site that it has a balanced headphone listening capabilities (maybe I misinterpreted). So can those balanced outputs be used with balanced headphones? Have I been missing out on the partial glory of balanced RS-1's and GS-1000's???

Please tell me yes yes Zanth you HAVE been missing out and you should RUN to post your GS-1000's so they can be balanced
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Nov 28, 2006 at 12:29 AM Post #2 of 15
It's intended to drive an amplifier not a set of headphones and as I remember didn't have the guts to drive them...
 
Nov 28, 2006 at 1:56 AM Post #3 of 15
The balanced outputs are a "loop" out that pass a balanced signal directly from your source. They are there simply so you can put the HP4 between a source and a preamp. The source output is not altered in any way, IIRC. The headphone outputs are all single-ended. The HP4 can NOT drive balanced headphones.

You had it right the first time.
 
Nov 28, 2006 at 2:00 AM Post #4 of 15
Quote:

Originally Posted by Hirsch /img/forum/go_quote.gif

You had it right the first time.



Crappy
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I mean, makes me feel better, at least I knew my amp, but I kinda really hoped that I could try out some balanced Grados. With you and gpalmer stating the difference is so dramatic. It really makes me want to test out. Of course, that might necessitate me having 2x RS-1s and 2x GS-1000's...so I could pair it with something like an SP something or other for balanced and then the Ear for SE. I so love the Ear.
 
Nov 28, 2006 at 2:43 AM Post #6 of 15
Jason, you may have to buy one more of the HP4 and then be able to run your cans balanced.
 
Nov 28, 2006 at 2:43 AM Post #7 of 15
Quote:

Originally Posted by braillediver /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Hey did you see the B52 just landed?

It's balanced out the wazoo and on sale.


This public service anouncement brought to you by Mitch



>$4k + no balanced headphones (yet) + Christmas + wife who would kill me = no balanced until at least next summer
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Nov 28, 2006 at 2:44 AM Post #8 of 15
Quote:

Originally Posted by edisonwu /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Jason, you may have to buy one more of the HP4 and then be able to run your cans balanced.




NOW we are talking!!!! "Monoblock" SET headphone amps. I'm all in! Still, the $$$$ can't happen for a long time, but oh the dreams! Course...we would have to figure out how to get my sources to work with two amps...
 
Nov 28, 2006 at 4:27 AM Post #10 of 15
Quote:

Originally Posted by braillediver /img/forum/go_quote.gif
For some reason I think most of the balanced amps I’ve seen were Output Transformer Less?

Am I hallucinating?


Mitch


Single Power must have ones that have transformers? I don't think he makes any OTLs?
 
Nov 28, 2006 at 4:32 AM Post #11 of 15
Quote:

Originally Posted by Zanth /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Single Power must have ones that have transformers? I don't think he makes any OTLs?


??

I haven't seen a SinglePower amp that's transformer-coupled yet. ALL of Mikhail's headphone amps to date are OTL.
 
Nov 28, 2006 at 4:46 AM Post #12 of 15
Quote:

Originally Posted by Hirsch /img/forum/go_quote.gif
??

I haven't seen a SinglePower amp that's transformer-coupled yet. ALL of Mikhail's headphone amps to date are OTL.


Hahah, my mistake BIGTIME. I was totally under the assumption they were transformer coupled. Thanks for the info.
 
Nov 28, 2006 at 6:33 AM Post #13 of 15
Actually for kicks I once rigged a HD650/ZU to the balanced loop out. Obviously the Pot is bypassed but I did get useable volume albeit at a fixed level. Probably the equivalent to about 10 o'clock on the dial.
 
Nov 28, 2006 at 4:11 PM Post #14 of 15
Quote:

Originally Posted by Afrikane /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Actually for kicks I once rigged a HD650/ZU to the balanced loop out. Obviously the Pot is bypassed but I did get useable volume albeit at a fixed level. Probably the equivalent to about 10 o'clock on the dial.


Now that is interesting considering I never go past 9...with the GS-1000's maybe balanced they could be pushed to 10 pm and not disturb me.
 
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