Wireless Adapter for SA6 - Page 10

Anything 1.5A and lower should be OK, I'd be wary of anything higher. But it depends on the specs. To be safe I'd stick with the USB spec, which is 500mA.

Either way, charging at 500mA will be less stressful on the batteries and they will last longer.

Just got my W-1 Wireless adapter today. Charged it up finally and am listening to it right now.

Initial impression is extreme disappointment. The W-1 has a high amount of noise. It has an annoying high pitched buzzing noise that comes and goes, it seems prone to grounding problems and interference. It does not work well at all with any computer headphone output and it even has ground loop buzzing with my HeadAmp Pico, which I have yet to have anything else have buzzing with. If I touch the sides of the case of the W-1 transmitter, it buzzes louder.

If I'm listening to loud music, it's not noticeable, but with quiet music, it's very annoying.

The high noise floor is unacceptable to me, especially when it's solely used with sensitive IEM's like the SA6. But the noise is loud enough that if I were to mod this W-1 to be able to use with other IEM's it would still be annoying since the SA6 is not nearly as effecient as some other IEM's out there like the Shure E500/SE530.

So what gives? Did I get a defective version? Or is the built in amplifier in the W-1 just that noisy?

-Ed

I found it helps to power up both pieces at the same time (hold both buttons until they turn on, you'll hear it), and then plug the Transmitter into the headphone jack. But it's kind of random. Either way, there is a soft high pitched buzz, and then there's a louder one. The soft one is always there, plugged in or not.

Pressing both buttons for a few seconds until it starts flashing rapidly and quickly letting go helps. (I can hear it switch channels). It's weird. Some channels the left side will have louder noise, and then others will have louder noise on the right side.

But as soon as I plug it in or it goes to sleep and then turns back on, the noise is back.

My SA6 has + Treble and + Bass.

-Ed

A few other observations:

It is so awesome to be able to walk around so freely listening to music. If you adjust the wires a little shorter to hug the base of your skull, it doesn't flop around and is very very comfortable. I was working on my computer a bit, crawling around the back on the ground, all the while listening to music. Aside from the high noise floor, the sound is clear, doesn't break up, and sounds pretty much like the wired version. It's warmer and a little bit congested compared to wired connection. The little bit of etra bass is perfect. Those wanting a ++Bass port should just get the W-1 Adapter. The wireless range is incredible. It breaks up for a split second when I go my farthest closet and close the door, then it's prefectly fine.

A note about the power switches. Difficult to access, they are behind the power port cover. You have open it up and use a pen tip or paperclip to move the switch. I would've prefered a more easily accessible switch, where it was recessed but still accessible with a fingernail. Now if the W-1 were weather sealed, that would be another story.

The Charging ports are NOT mini USB as I had previously thought. They are that new Micro USB connector or a proprietary connector. Not the older one, the wider one that cell phone manufacturers are starting to use. I really would've preferred the older Mini USB connector, as it's not really any smaller, same width, but thinner. Doesn't buy enough size decrease IMO. If it is proprietary, I could see that it's so, because the current requirement is listed as 200mA on both the Transmitter and Receiver units. But that's if the dual charging cable even splits the current in half. That would leave just enough from the voltage drop.

So, the W-1 does not come with an AC Adapter Charger, just the dual charging cable. Any USB port, or USB Charger will work. I used a Blackberry charger, which happens to have a USB port on it and outputs 500mA current.

-Ed

I've been experimenting a little. I used an Ultimate Ears attenuator adapter and it removed most if not all the higher pitched buzzing. The rest is just typical white noise hissing. Granted this solution only works for use with higher powered amps. I had to crank my HeadAmp Pico up to 12 to 2 O'Clock positions on High Gain.

It could be that it is getting some sort of interference or ground loop from my HeadAmp Pico. I'm going to try with some other sources. I have an old Panasonic Portable CD Player and an iRiver iHP-120. I'll try some other combinations. I wouldn't write off the W-1 just yet. It's just too cool to dismiss. I must also stress that I'm weird. I can and will find any bug or problem with just about anything out of sheer dumb luck. So, my experience might not be the same as others.

-Ed

Tried it with my Sony PSP. A bit of an awkward fit for the Transmitter, but it fits without the iPhone type jumper wire.

No high pitched buzzing. Just the white noise. Much better in this case. But I think my celebration is short lived as the Transmitter went to sleep and then after I pressed the button to wake it up, the high pitched buzzing is back.

I wonder if it get interference from 802.11 WiFi signals or my FemtoCell (Sprint Airave), which are within 2 meters of my listening area. Time to wander outside....

-Ed

Went for a walk, using my Panasonic Portable CD Player. No difference. Argh. I was able to get it to not have a lot of noise. Maybe it was a specific channel or a fluke, but I can't duplicate it.

So I guess that rules out interference from my Wifi equipment. Although, I didn't suspect those to be a problem.

-Ed