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iQube

post #1 of 10
7/5/08 at 9:23pm
Thread Starter 
I have an iQube and a set of UM2's. What impedance setting should I use?

Also, Ive ordered a set of Denon D2000's and was wondering which setting to use for them and why...?

I think I was given wrong information because I was told use the low impedance setting with the UM2's and the high setting with the Denons (which I haven't recieved yet.) The UM2's are 27ohms and the Denon's appear to be 25ohm's. I do not understand the significance of these numbers etc.

I do notice that the highs seem a little more pronounced when I use the high setting on the iQube with the UM2's. Can using the high setting damage them?

Thanks much,
Sean
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post #2 of 10
7/5/08 at 11:20pm
By 'impedance setting', do you mean 'gain setting'? The reason I asked is because I only know iQube to have an on/off switch and a gain selection switch on the front.

If it is the gain switch, than you should start with the low gain first with any headphone. If the volume you get from low gain is not enough, than turn the power off and volume to zero before flipping the gain switch to high. Low gain usually creates less distortion therefore it is usually better to start with it first. Generally speaking, most IEM are very sensitive to distortion and easy to drive therefore low gain is usually more than enough.

How much gain is needed not just depends on the impedance of the headphone, but also the sensitivity and how well the transducers are driven. The easiest way to determine is to switch b/w the two settings and find the best combination with your own ear. As long as you keep the volume at an reasonable level, the chance of your amp damaging your IEM is fairly low.
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post #3 of 10
7/5/08 at 11:27pm
Yes low gain is generally enough for most IEM. It comes with lesser floor noise as well.
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post #4 of 10
7/5/08 at 11:34pm
The most obvious "gain" from using the low gain setting... no pun intended... is to get more tracking out of your volume control. Some people are anal about this (like me) and some are not, but the fact is a lot of lower-quality potentiometers (the kind most often used in portable amps) have channel imbalances at the very bottom of their range.
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post #5 of 10
7/6/08 at 2:58am
Thread Starter 
Thank you! Yes the gain switch is what I was referring too.

Should I use the high gain for the D2000's then?

Thanks again.
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post #6 of 10
7/6/08 at 3:04am
Quote:
Originally Posted by synaesthetic View Post
The most obvious "gain" from using the low gain setting... no pun intended... is to get more tracking out of your volume control. Some people are anal about this (like me) and some are not, but the fact is a lot of lower-quality potentiometers (the kind most often used in portable amps) have channel imbalances at the very bottom of their range.
Very well put.
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post #7 of 10
7/12/08 at 11:48pm
Thread Starter 
My iQube just stopped working out of the blue. I unplugged the ipod and headphones and replugged them in. Now its working fine.

Is this a sign of things to come?...

This is my first experience with an amp and haven't had it but for about two weeks. Batteries are still strong, haven't even come close to the 90hr mark thats common for batteries with this amp.

Anyone else had this problem with an amp?
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post #8 of 10
7/13/08 at 6:05am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ralfale View Post
Yes low gain is generally enough for most IEM. It comes with lesser floor noise as well.
There is not a huge difference between the low and high gain settings on the iQube, the low is quite powerful and the high not much more so. The low setting is easily enough for all IEM's and the Denon D2000.

I'd expect you'd only need to use the high gain for inefficient 'phones like the Senn HD580's, etc.

..a lovely little amp.

Kind regads

g_a
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post #9 of 10
7/13/08 at 6:30am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Seanincols View Post
My iQube just stopped working out of the blue. I unplugged the ipod and headphones and replugged them in. Now its working fine.

Is this a sign of things to come?...

This is my first experience with an amp and haven't had it but for about two weeks. Batteries are still strong, haven't even come close to the 90hr mark thats common for batteries with this amp.

Anyone else had this problem with an amp?
Are you sure it was the amp, ie the green power light went out or you determined some other way? They are extremely well made and I've not read in the forum of one failing, mine has been perfect to date. I'd be more suspect of the iPod or cable. Anyway, Hans at Qables is fantastic to deal with at all levels and I doubt there will be any problem if you need to make a warranty claim. Hopefully for you it is a one of, if not and it happens again, note down all the circumstances and details and email Hans to see if he can figure out the problem.

The more I listen to my iQube, the more I am impressed with it - can't wait to hear it with iMod and portable V-Cap dock which are coming my way soon

Kind regards

g_a
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post #10 of 10
7/13/08 at 6:56am

Gain setting

Hi, the gain switch is indeed intended as mentioned above.

Low gain for low impedance and High gain for higher impedance HP's.
(ps the iQube is specified for 200ohms max)

When you switch over from one to the other is depending on personal preference. Just start with low and see how it fits you and try high then (Turn the volume down first!).

Just a short note to the drop out: very unclear to me?? Haven't heard it before. Keep me posted and if there is really a problem contact me via email and we will handle it from there on.

The imbalance with potentiometers is common to nearly all (often called "gang error"). We use ALPS which is regarded higher in quality but even some of these have gang errors. The gang error is mostly audible in the first few steps of turning and dissappears when turning further. So setting low gain might help preventing that you exprience gang error.
Some people are also more sensitive for this then others.

I hope I have clarified some more.

Rgds Hans
It is our philosophy to manufacture true High End cables for specialized connections in headphone, MP3 player, and HiFi component interconnections
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