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The Lavry DA-10 and balanced grados - Page 2

post #16 of 28
4/19/07 at 11:03am
Quote:
Originally Posted by vcoheda View Post
i always read that using low impedance headphones directly from a DAC is not as good as using high impedance. why is this?
This is a gross generalization, but low impedance headphones usually need lots of current while high impedance headphones need lots of voltage swing. I would infer that the balanced outputs of most DAC's have a good amount of voltage swing, but not much current.

Personally, I would recommend a good amp regardless... even with high impedance headphones. The balanced outs of the Lavry will do in a pinch for HD650's or K340's, but a balanced amp [or even a good single ended one] will be far superior.
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post #17 of 28
4/19/07 at 1:24pm
Philodox, have you heard the XLR outs of the DA10?
I myself prefer the sonics to a single-ended MPX3 I used to have.
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post #18 of 28
4/19/07 at 2:37pm
Yes, of course.

I used to own one and when I was ampless for a while there I used the XLR outputs exclusively to drive my K340's. The built in headphone amp on the DA10 is quite nice for low impedance headphones, but falls short for something like the HD650 or K340 in my opinion. The XLR ouputs sound pretty good and are an excellent option if you are going for a budget solution, but they are certainly not perfect.

While I've never directly compared them, I would have to agree about the MPX3. It is a very nice amp, and would definatly be preferable to the DA10's XLR outputs.

EDIT: Oops, misread your post. What headphones are you driving balanced? I am surprised that you prefer the XLR outs of the DA10 to the MPX3. Perhaps you don't like the tube sound? Were you using stock tubes or did you try a bunch out?
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post #19 of 28
4/19/07 at 4:05pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by philodox View Post
Oops, misread your post. What headphones are you driving balanced? I am surprised that you prefer the XLR outs of the DA10 to the MPX3. Perhaps you don't like the tube sound? Were you using stock tubes or did you try a bunch out?
HD650s. I had completely different gear when I had the MPX3, but the DA10 + HD650 is better to my ears than, say, Zhaolu + MPX3 + W5000. Could be the better DAC, could be my preferences for the cans, could be the leap from single-ended to balanced. The MPX3 is an amazing amp, but this current setup sounds more consistent and solid. Less magical, perhaps.

Enough about comparing apples and pineapples, I came up with a thought (!):
If the low impedance of the Grados is a problem when used with the DA10 XLRs, then how about adding some impedance? If you are reterminating them anyway, then I guess adding some resistors(?) would be a piece of cake?
Would this improve the usability of balanced Grados with the DA10?
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post #20 of 28
4/19/07 at 4:33pm
I believe that the sensitivity of low impedance headphones is what makes them so current hungry, and I am not sure if that would change with a resistor mod.
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post #21 of 28
4/19/07 at 4:55pm
Increasing the impedance seems to work for Etymotics (ER-4P/S) and Beyerdynamic (Manufaktur offering 32, 250 and 600 ohm versions of the same cans), and I can recall at least some DIYers who have done this to their KSC-35s and the like.

I don't remember reading about any impedance mods for Grados though.

EDIT: Ok, I found this, highly positive thread about increasing Grado impedance:
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=206143
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post #22 of 28
4/19/07 at 7:31pm
I think blessingX had that set up. Not positive.
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post #23 of 28
4/20/07 at 4:08am
Who balances Grados? some reason I don't see them really improving from being balanced.
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post #24 of 28
4/20/07 at 4:21am
the rs1s are suppose to improve greatly.
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post #25 of 28
4/20/07 at 4:22am
wrong thread
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post #26 of 28
4/20/07 at 4:49pm
Mr. Lavry just promised at the Lavry forums that he will be listening to balanced setups at the HeadFest 2007. Let's see what happens. The engineering community don't seem to really believe (theoretically) in balanced, so it'll be interesting.
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post #27 of 28
4/22/07 at 12:06pm
Someone please use the opportunity at HeadFest to compare pairs of Grado RS-1 straight out of the Lavry DA10 in single-ended and balanced modes.
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post #28 of 28
5/1/07 at 5:36pm
I'm giving this thread a little nudge because I'm interested in any updates.
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