SPL Auditor appreciation thread - Page 2

Hello

 

yes I started to wonder also about the cables when reading about noise.

 

The Auditor should be connected with XLR-XLR only, and no RCA adapters.

 

Also check the power cables so ground is on the same cable for the Auditor and CD/Record player. If  not you might have incorrect grounding and current flowing between the signal-source and headphone amp causing the noise.

I use xlr cable, balanced out of cd player. Sony cd player doesn't have ground, just two prongs and i never used any other source. I am going to use Phonitor for blu-ray movies watching since I got Beta22 recently and will make rca to xlr cable as in the Phonitor manual, Just waiting for Neutric xlr plugs I ordered. Phonitor,

Auditor also, should be good with movies, great dynamics and slam.
 

Edited by Markj - 7/4/10 at 1:48pm

Check the manual. You can use unbalanced source. Rca to xlr adapter is common, even Chinese make it.  www.guitarcenter.com  I will check the grounding. Thanks
 

Edited by Markj - 7/4/10 at 10:52am

I use a double shielded XLR to RCA cable from Thomann... As mentioned pitch black background with all my low impedance headphones. I don´t detect hiss out of my speakers either when using the preouts on the Auditor so that is totally a non issue for me :)

 

But yes it´s sensitive to adapters... I first used a XLR-RCA mono adapter and then used rca cables I got already and it just didn´t sound right!

Hello Markj

 

Yes technically you can use RCA to XLR adapters, yet if you do then you miss out on the advantage of balanced signal path as well as the tremendous dynamic and depth of silence that the Auditor is capable of.

I have  the Phonitor, same as Auditor and i use Audioquest Cheetah silver xlr cable. I started with Mogami 2534, I made and it was OK then I bought  on Audigon  Black Mountain Cable silver xlr that had better dynamics. Cheetah from Audiogon is little better in dynamics an clarity. I tried to go back to copper with Straight Wire Maestro but it was step back.
 

No not at all. I get the tremendous dynamic, depth and silence compared to other SE amps ;).

Hello again Markj and okvist

 

All good what you said. Silver should be a notch better than anything else now its the best 'normal' conductor we have available.

And even though I am somewhat skeptic about the benefit of most exotic cables, I am fully able to hear the difference between RCA adapters and a fully balanced signal path.

(When mentioning exotic, I do suspect we'll see some silly priced cables made from high temperature superconductors sometime in the future.)

 

Anyhow I did jump into this thread because the Auditor do interest me, and I heard it. I view it as highly analytical, and that go well with the idea of listening for details with cans. The features it comes with do indeed remove the illusion of having the band playing between the ears - so next month I hope to be able to give the SPL a longer audition and then decide its worth the money.

Here's my current rig at work.

 

These component stack perfectly on top on each other in one sexy silver pyramid! :-)

 

Some pondering about the power specs, It's listed output is 1.7W@600ohm and 360mW@32ohms. But isn't it supposed to be the other way around? How come does it deliever so much more power at a high impendance and about 5 times LESS than the 32ohm?

to auditor owners:

 

1) What is the balanced out of the auditor used for? Can it be used to connect a balanced hp?

 

2) Would using a rca-xlr adapter be detrimental to the auditor or headphones?

 

thanks!

 

Bumping this thread alittle, how does the Auditor match with the HD800?

weighing my options since I intend to buy the HD 800 real soon.

@coldsky: its a passive passthrough, you cannot connect headphones straight to it, you could however connect additional amplifier to it so if for example you have a DAC with only one output you can connect two amps to it without the use of adapters.
I recommend using XLR>RCA cable instead of adapters.

@dadab: I have this combo and its amazing, don't expect a lot of bass but its of quality. It much depends on the DAC you will use.

I don't care for alot of bass. so that's good. I'm in need for a wide soundstage, clarity, details and awesome treble!

I'm gonna use a focusrite saffire 24 pro DSP dac. 

and all of my music collection is flac

greatly appreciated...

That's exactly what HD800 is, I would add comfort to the fact. Auditor presents a neutral sound and reveals every detail HD800 can manage.