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Does it make sense ? - Page 2

post #16 of 23
6/24/07 at 5:39am
Thread Starter 
Ok so you didn't said it don't make sense in a technical point of view (lost of quality) but if it deserve or not.

I still hesitate but think i'll buy a Amp with big knob

Now i have to choose one (maybe i should start a new thread for that..)

What other Amp i can choose other then Cute (he's is cool but i rather ask before buy) ?

2 conditions are required, look sexy/compact and big knob (and of course quality at least = to Total Bithead)

BTW the knob of Cute don't move too easily ? i mean he have enough restraint to not move if i just sweep my finger close to it ?

Thank's guys


Quote:
Originally Posted by ClieOS View Post
Yes, I mean it doesn't make sense cause you don't really need an amp, but a knob!... than again, I have brought way too many headgear even before I joined Head-Fi, so who am I kidding? (still having 5+ extra knobs in my house for me to replace on my DIY amp )

At the end, you are the only one who can decide if it "makes sense" or not, as GAD said. For me, If I have a strong feeling that I am going to be happy with it, I will most likely get one. Logic isn't much of a formula for fun
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post #17 of 23
6/24/07 at 5:58am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ClieOS View Post
Yes, I mean it doesn't make sense cause you don't really need an amp, but a knob!... than again, I have brought way too many headgear even before I joined Head-Fi, so who am I kidding? (still having 5+ extra knobs in my house for me to replace on my DIY amp )

Fubar III (DAC + AMP) is coming out, which might be a sensible buy if you use it as a desktop solution.

At the end, you are the only one who can decide if it "makes sense" or not, as GAD said. For me, If I have a strong feeling that I am going to be happy with it, I will most likely get one. Logic isn't much of a formula for fun

Since we are talking about knob, here is one also from FireStone:

The volume nob on my M^3 looks exactly the same as this one.
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post #18 of 23
6/24/07 at 6:29am
FireStone's product are really good in quality, I don't think 'loss of quality' will be a problem here (not to mention you can roll opamp).

The turning of the knob isn't determined by the knob, but the potentiometer. FireStone use those 'click' type of potentiometer, so you'll feel 'clicking' when turning the knobs. It is quite smooth, but not loose.

Actually, Cute series is a really good starting point for good quality entry level amp, price and quality wise. Kind of fit your bill.
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post #19 of 23
6/24/07 at 6:51am
Thread Starter 
You point something i don't understand about this knob, i read this on Firestone web site, they say "Volume control free to switch to Series or Shunt ( for more sensitivity) type" what does it mean ?? (yea newbie...)

When you say knob feel "'clicking' when turning the knobs" you mean you can't have Precise volume because you can't set volume between 2 "click"

Not sure i'am clear enough, i mean a knob with "clicking" when you turn it, you have a certain number of choose for the volume ?, ex from minimum to maximum you have only, 20 or 50 "click" ?

This remind me knob of my hi-fi Sony which have only 30 level of volume, so i can't set volume between let's say 14 and 15, see what i mean ?


Quote:
Originally Posted by ClieOS View Post
The turning of the knob isn't determined by the knob, but the potentiometer. FireStone use those 'click' type of potentiometer, so you'll feel 'clicking' when turning the knobs. It is quite smooth, but not loose.
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post #20 of 23
6/24/07 at 9:00am
A series type just means your typical potentiometer type of volume control. A shunt type means no volume control at all (it is set to a fix potential). In Shunt mode, turning volume won't do a thing.

The 'clicking' potentiometer is used on Little Country and I am not so sure about Cute series.. but if you really want to know, there are 21 'clicks' on Little Country, and yes you can set it b/w any two 'clicks'. So you are not get 21 level of volume (as finetuning is allowed), but you'll feel 21 'clicks' when you turn the knob to max. Again, Cute might just use normal potentiometer (LC is the FireStone's top line, so everything is beef up)
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post #21 of 23
6/24/07 at 9:28am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ClieOS View Post
A series type just means your typical potentiometer type of volume control. A shunt type means no volume control at all (it is set to a fix potential). In Shunt mode, turning volume won't do a thing.
So in Shunt mode knob serve to nothing ? what's the goal of that ?

I guess to go in Shunt mode we have to Press the knob right ?

Quote:
Originally Posted by ClieOS View Post
The 'clicking' potentiometer is used on Little Country and I am not so sure about Cute series.. but if you really want to know, there are 21 'clicks' on Little Country, and yes you can set it b/w any two 'clicks'. So you are not get 21 level of volume (as finetuning is allowed), but you'll feel 21 'clicks' when you turn the knob to max. Again, Cute might just use normal potentiometer (LC is the FireStone's top line, so everything is beef up)
I'll don't like 'clicking' knob.. anybody here can confirm that Cute Amp have or no 'clicking' knob like Little Country or no ?
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post #22 of 23
6/24/07 at 2:08pm
I guess you are really new to the whole amp business... here is the thing:
If you are using your amp with something already has a volume control on it (say a PCDP or MP3 player with no line-out), than using both volume control on both the player and the amp to adjust volume becomes a redundancy, not to mention the more volume controls in the system, the more possibility for noise and reduction in efficiency. It is why people always say a line-out usually has better SQ than headphone-out.

Back to the topic: I believe the Shunt/Series mode is selectable with a switch w/i the case, and not on the knob... and on the same topic, my guess is you are most likely not going to get one of those expensive 'clicking' potentiometer (judging from the image of the Cute's internal). I'll let someone confirm this.
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post #23 of 23
6/24/07 at 2:32pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ClieOS View Post
I guess you are really new to the whole amp business...
Definitely YES

Quote:
Originally Posted by ClieOS View Post
If you are using your amp with something already has a volume control on it (say a PCDP or MP3 player with no line-out), than using both volume control on both the player and the amp to adjust volume becomes a redundancy, not to mention the more volume controls in the system, the more possibility for noise and reduction in efficiency. It is why people always say a line-out usually has better SQ than headphone-out.
So having volume control both on my Total Bithead and on Cute will give "more possibility for noise and reduction in efficiency" like you point ?
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