Practical Devices XM5 - Page 5

Thanx, cant wait for your review

I don't find the XM5 to be bright or have any bad qualities. Even though with very low hours I find it to sound very good, I don't plan to critically compare it to my other amps which I can use as reference. What you perceive to be "bright" might simply be that you're hearing a better amp with good detail.I have no experience with 0404 so that's just a wild thought.

After at least 100 hours I plan to:

*Compare XM5 DAC to Pico DAC using both HP outs into my Central Station using it's SS amp.

*Compare XM5 amp directly to Pico amp using line in from iPod Classic.

*Compare XM5 DAC to Pico DAC using internal amps.

This will be with HD 650 & ER4P>S.

What's the scoop on Xin's (and others??) 4 channel feature??
With only two phones, where does the other 2 channels come in?

So I've had the chance (and will for the next few days) to compare the XM5 with the Apogee Mini-DAC and the 0404. So far, I've noticed that the XM5 has noticeably higher trebles cf the headphone outs of either of the two DACs. Cymbals and whatnot are very prominent, compared to being a bit recessed on the DACs HP outs.

This brightness is definitely in the XM5's amp and not the DAC - I've tested this using the line in on the XM5 from both the other DACs. I'm going to fuddle a lot more tonight and I'll report back. Anyone else here have a chance to compare the XM5 to the HP out of the Apogee or E-MU?

I've noticed no brightness either.

Also my XM5 with the BUF634 chips has no problems driving HD650s without any need for the +10 gain boost. Volume knob is between 8 and 9 o'clock with it hooked up via USB to my laptop which has its volume maxed.

With my 325i I'm using 8~9 o'clock with no features used. I like using the +75 Ohm with 325i where I use 12 o'clock as max. With +10 dB using 325i and no +75 Ohm, much past 9 o'clock is deafening.

I'm really looking forward to using my HD650 but I'll have to wait until next week.

Earlier I used the XM5 DAC and used a mini to RCA into my Central Station. using the meters on the CS to see input level, I found that in low gain I needed to have volume on the XM5 at 1 o'clock to match my Pico at max volume in low gain...which is my normal setting.

With my ATH-AD900 I use the 75ohm setting and similarly don't turn the knob up past 9 o'clock really.

I'm wondering what I'd need to connect to need the +10db switch! The HD650s certainly don't need it.

I'm thinking AKG K240M (600 Ohm) might do the trick...from past experience with that can.

GreatDane - did you notice any change in SQ when using the 75 Ohm resistor?

I'll try those when I return from vacation next week.

I assume you mean with the 325i?? I have the Etymotic P to S cable so I knew what to expect. The added impedance makes them slightly darker sounding to me...a little bassier with tamed down upper mids/highs it seems.

True, but it just seems like too much of a brightness jump. I've listened to the same song from my iPhone and my Macbook using headphone jack, 0404, Apogee MiniDac, and XM5 - the treble is very bright (lots of sibliance) in any combination of the above gear where the XM5 is used :-( Judging by everything I've read on here, and the utter decimation of the trebles I experience using the 75 Ohm switch, I'm inclined to believe my XM5 may be a bit "unique".

GreatDane - I'd REALLY like to hear your thoughts on Pico vs XM5 (internal amps) using your Senns, as this is a decision I'll have to make very shortly - I just picked up some HD600s

Well, I'll have to wait until I can afford a good SE cable for my HD650...trying to find a used stock cable to get me by for now.

Besides that, I want to give the XM5 at least 200 hours to settle in before putting it in the ring with Pico.

As for the excessive brightness issue, I just can't hear any with my XM5. I've been listening to my iPod/XM5 combo with ER4P for the past hour trying many different genres. I'm using the 75 Ohm switch for the S conversion. Also using the bass boost at times with electronic and rock. I've always said that the ER4 can dish out big bass when it wants...and this is it!

So, I played the same song through an E-MU 0404 and the XM5, recorded the output using my MBP's line in, and then listened to both recordings using the E-MU. They sounded similiar - the bright trebles I had heard when listening directly to the XM5 were gone!

Actually, listening to the recorded XM5 music through the E-MU sounds similar to listening to the XM5 directly, but using the 75 Ohm switch... so at this point my experience is:

using MBP out/E-MU out/Apogee MiniDac out: sounds normal
using XM5 out, no buttons depressed: sounds VERY sibilant - cymbals completely dominate music.
using XM5 out, 75 Ohm switch depressed (and volume cranked): sounds almost normal - no longer sibilant, but now the mids are moderatley recessed
recording XM5 out (no buttons depressed) using MBP and replaying using E-MU: sounds normal

I am SO confused at this point. In all cases I am using TF10s - could the lower (32 Ohm) impedance have some weird anti-synergy with the XM5? It has just the OP134s - no buffer chips installed.

Wow. I don't have a clue. My XM5 has the BUF634 chips but I don't know if that could be making any difference.

Maybe our PD sponsor will have a possible answer.