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Power supply for Desktop SE or Balanced?

post #1 of 8
9/22/07 at 9:51am
Thread Starter 
Hi Ty & crew.
Have a question:

On the page for the Desktop SE it says:

*CAVEAT: Please be aware that upgraded Home and Max modules and DACs will require the use of the separately-sold Desktop Power Supply (DPS, $399.00usd) in order to truly realize the full sonic potential of the upgraded module/DAC.

Yet on the page for the Balanced Desktop it does not seem to need the DPS because it comes with the new Astrodyne power supply that will offer more current on demand for the Balanced Desktop Amp without having to shell out for the HeadRoom DPS. Right?

So:
Balanced Desktop amp with Home Module and Home Balanced DAC = $1497.00

Single ended Desktop amp with Home Module, Max DAC and DPS = $1496.00

Would the Single Ended have any advantage over the Balanced at this point, or would the Balanced still be better (using balanced HD-650's W/Cardas cable)
Thanks,
TR
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post #2 of 8
9/22/07 at 4:10pm
Does the astrodyne power supply come with the new micros?
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post #3 of 8
9/24/07 at 9:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Todd R View Post
Hi Ty & crew.
Have a question:

On the page for the Desktop SE it says:

*CAVEAT: Please be aware that upgraded Home and Max modules and DACs will require the use of the separately-sold Desktop Power Supply (DPS, $399.00usd) in order to truly realize the full sonic potential of the upgraded module/DAC.

Yet on the page for the Balanced Desktop it does not seem to need the DPS because it comes with the new Astrodyne power supply that will offer more current on demand for the Balanced Desktop Amp without having to shell out for the HeadRoom DPS. Right?

So:
Balanced Desktop amp with Home Module and Home Balanced DAC = $1497.00

Single ended Desktop amp with Home Module, Max DAC and DPS = $1496.00

Would the Single Ended have any advantage over the Balanced at this point, or would the Balanced still be better (using balanced HD-650's W/Cardas cable)
Thanks,
TR
Hi Todd,

Boy.., this is a very frequent question we get that, unfortunately, has no real objective answer...

I personally would lean towards the balanced rig simply because the soundstage 'depth' & immersiveness and the dynamic tonal accuracy offered by balanced-drive is an impressive listening experience that'll likely be full of new musical details you never quite heard before... To me, that's what audiophile headphone systems are all about!

The loaded single-ended Desktop Amp rig offers the true upsampling D-A stage of the Max DAC (great for lower bitrate Mp3 files) plus the superb 627 Burr-Brown op-amps of the Max electronics module. Also, if driving powered desktop/computer speakers, the singled-ended Desktop's variable RCA-outs can serve as an excellent pre-amp control. But, again, we are talking about very subtle nuanced sonic differences between either 'hot-rodded' balanced/unbalanced HR Desktop...

The international Astrodyne power supply is an excellent, robust PS and satisfactory for the Balanced Desktop in any configuration. However, as indicated in the website writing, the high road for discriminating listeners remains the $399 HeadRoom DPS for fully maximized audio performance when selecting the power-hungry Class-A internals in any Desktop Amp. In fact, the Max DAC will not even function properly in the Desktop Amp w/o the DPS! ... To my ears, the DPS delivers a small (but noticeable) audio improvement over the Astrodyne with a slightly more liquid & dynamic overall sound, improved tonal presentation textures, and an ultra-quiet background noise floor....

Cheers!

Jorge
HR Sales & Product Manager
HeadRoom was founded in 1992 & manufactures headphone amps, DACs, and accessories; and sells headphones & related personal audio gear. We offer exceptional products, customer service, & information.
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post #4 of 8
9/24/07 at 9:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by n4k33n View Post
Does the astrodyne power supply come with the new micros?
The 2007 HeadRoom Micro / Ultra Micro series includes a 'wall-wart' type AC-power supply .... The international Astrodyne PS are available separately.

Cheers!
Jorge
HR Sales & Product Manager
HeadRoom was founded in 1992 & manufactures headphone amps, DACs, and accessories; and sells headphones & related personal audio gear. We offer exceptional products, customer service, & information.
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post #5 of 8
9/27/07 at 7:29pm
^ Would an astrodyne improve the sound of the new ultra micro dac? Where would I find one? Do you have a link
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post #6 of 8
9/28/07 at 7:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by n4k33n View Post
^ Would an astrodyne improve the sound of the new ultra micro dac? Where would I find one? Do you have a link
The Astrodyne would likely only provide a very small, highly nuanced audible sonic improvement over the provided Ultra Micro ps. In tests here at HR, the Astrodyne proves to be somewhat more stable with slightly less current 'ripple' versus the included power supply -- but whether or not these tiny, barely measurable artifacts while on the lab bench become actually detectable in normal listening is probably up for debate

Here's the HR Astrodyne PS link:
http://www.headphone.com/products/ac...wer-supply.php

Cheers,
Jorge
HR Sales/Product Manager
HeadRoom was founded in 1992 & manufactures headphone amps, DACs, and accessories; and sells headphones & related personal audio gear. We offer exceptional products, customer service, & information.
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post #7 of 8
10/13/07 at 11:32am
Jorge, is there a situation in which the Astrodyne would perform better than the DPS?
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post #8 of 8
10/13/07 at 1:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Monkey View Post
Jorge, is there a situation in which the Astrodyne would perform better than the DPS?
I highly doubt it.
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