Thanks FD, have fun at the beach !!!
 
Peete.

Can someone tell me if the  Audio gd power lead is any good. I will soon be ordering the Roc and don't know if I should get a third party cable.
Also what is the length of the power cable as I will need at least 1.5 - 2m length and if it is a good cable I would expect to ask for a longer lead.
 
Also is there any advantage from using the XLR inputs. I only have an unbalanced source,though high quality, and use RCA leads. Will there be a significant improvement by reterminating my leads.
 
Thanks.

Hi nigeljames, in my experience the difference between the XLR output and the RCA is less than the XLR-ACSS, though it also depends on the headphones you're driving.
For example with the (balanced) K702 the XLR connection is still very enjoyable. Not so with the HE-5LE. The ACSS connection opens these headphones, the highs are more "extended", while the XLR connections seems a bit "mid-centric"
I'm sure you will be happy with the sound of the Roc Which headphones are you planning to use?

Hi nigeljames, I don't have a Roc but have both the Phoenix and C-3. If you have an unbalanced source then use RCA leads. My phono stage, which is unbalanced, is more than a match for my Marantz SA-7S1 either unbalanced or balanced.

Quote:

charnwood said:

Hi nigeljames, I don't have a Roc but have both the Phoenix and C-3. If you have an unbalanced source then use RCA leads. My phono stage, which is unbalanced, is more than a match for my Marantz SA-7S1 either unbalanced or balanced.

Click to expand...

Thanks

 
Quote:

realmassy said:

Hi nigeljames, in my experience the difference between the XLR output and the RCA is less than the XLR-ACSS, though it also depends on the headphones you're driving.
For example with the (balanced) K702 the XLR connection is still very enjoyable. Not so with the HE-5LE. The ACSS connection opens these headphones, the highs are more "extended", while the XLR connections seems a bit "mid-centric"
I'm sure you will be happy with the sound of the Roc Which headphones are you planning to use?
 
 

Click to expand...

K701's, HD650 with Silver Dragon v2 cable and ALO-780's. None are balanced yet but I will reterminate the Ultrasones and if I feel its worth it the AKG's. I will probably sell the Senn's. Even with my Woo they just can't compete with the Ultrasones. They sound dead and lifeless and dull in comparison. I am not expecting them to improve that much even balanced.
I remember a review, I think of an early Phoenix, that stated the the XLR imputs were of poor quality and better results were obtainable using the RCA.
I see you have balanced HD650 how do they fare with the Roc?
 

Hey all I am looking into possibly getting a the Audio Roc.  My question is I have no balanced headphones at the moment, but I am wanting to eventually get a pair.  Would I be able to use unbalanced headphones with the Roc or can I only use balance?
 
 Everyone have a great day
 
Tinker97

SE headphones will work as normal but only half the Roc will be used, as far as I know, with unbalanced phones.

Quote:

nigeljames said:

Thanks

 
K701's, HD650 with Silver Dragon v2 cable and ALO-780's. None are balanced yet but I will reterminate the Ultrasones and if I feel its worth it the AKG's. I will probably sell the Senn's. Even with my Woo they just can't compete with the Ultrasones. They sound dead and lifeless and dull in comparison. I am not expecting them to improve that much even balanced.
I remember a review, I think of an early Phoenix, that stated the the XLR imputs were of poor quality and better results were obtainable using the RCA.
I see you have balanced HD650 how do they fare with the Roc?
 

Click to expand...

Don't sell your HD650 if you're planning to buy a Roc!! Please don't sell them.
They're complete different with a balanced cable, and I'm sure you'll love them with that amp.
I've sold mine to fund the HE-5LE, but I'm planning to buy them soon for my bedroom rig (and then use them in the main one as well!). That's why I kept the balanced cable. If you'll get the Roc and you want to try them balanced send me a PM and I'll lend you it

nigeljames said:

Can someone tell me if the  Audio gd power lead is any good. I will soon be ordering the Roc and don't know if I should get a third party cable. Also what is the length of the power cable as I will need at least 1.5 - 2m length and if it is a good cable I would expect to ask for a longer lead.
 
Also is there any advantage from using the XLR inputs. I only have an unbalanced source,though high quality, and use RCA leads. Will there be a significant improvement by reterminating my leads.

Click to expand...

 
Hi Nigel. I was a non-power-cable believer and decide to try A-GD power cables because they were cheap enough for experimenting. Result - I can "hear" different power cable presence. More with DAC, less with headamp. They seem to give more "body" to the overall sound picture.
 
You can order custom lengths of A-GD power cable. I did so (0,75m) when I ordered their PS Filter Outlet. Funny name, good product. If you do not have any kind of power conditioning/filtering I can only recommend it - it improves sound more than power cables.

There is advantage when using XLR inputs, but only if you are feeding differential/balanced signal (in phase and inverted phase). When using good single ended source with RCA interconnects of decent quality the XLR vs. RCA differences are minimal. Also, no sense in reterminating RCA cables to XLR because XLR in phase signal input is the same as RCA signal input.

Originally Posted by nigeljames /img/forum/go_quote.gif
 
K701's, HD650 with Silver Dragon v2 cable and ALO-780's. None are balanced yet but I will reterminate the Ultrasones and if I feel its worth it the AKG's. I will probably sell the Senn's. Even with my Woo they just can't compete with the Ultrasones. They sound dead and lifeless and dull in comparison. I am not expecting them to improve that much even balanced.
 
I remember a review, I think of an early Phoenix, that stated the the XLR imputs were of poor quality and better results were obtainable using the RCA.
 
I see you have balanced HD650 how do they fare with the Roc?

Click to expand...

 
Do reterminate K701. They do improve greatly.
 
A-GD uses Neutrik inputs for quite some time now. No fakes, decent quality.
 
Out of Roc balanced HD600 are better controlled and less "veiled". They "obey" much better.

tink97 said:

Hey all I am looking into possibly getting a the Audio Roc.  My question is I have no balanced headphones at the moment, but I am wanting to eventually get a pair.  Would I be able to use unbalanced headphones with the Roc or can I only use balance?

Click to expand...

Of course you can use "normal" headphones but you WILL be reterminating all your best headphones, believe me.
 
If retermination is no option for you, get C2 - no point in having 2 out of 4 channels idling forever.

Quote:

realmassy said:

Don't sell your HD650 if you're planning to buy a Roc!! Please don't sell them.
They're complete different with a balanced cable, and I'm sure you'll love them with that amp.
I've sold mine to fund the HE-5LE, but I'm planning to buy them soon for my bedroom rig (and then use them in the main one as well!). That's why I kept the balanced cable. If you'll get the Roc and you want to try them balanced send me a PM and I'll lend you it

Click to expand...

Thanks Realmassy thats a very generous offer that I will probably take you up on when I receive the roc.
The only reason I have not sold the senn's is because the missus likes them and I have heard alot that they are totally different balanced.
I only really listen to them with some bright/thin recordings or cd's like Axel Rudi Pells 'Mystica' which has extremely impactful drumming thats just too much with my Woo/Ultrasones combi. The senn's soften the impact to make it easier to listen too although there are drawbacks in other areas
What gets me the most about the HD650's is the lack of treble and the fact thats whats left is recessed. There is no real veil or bloated bass or even lack of speed with the Woo but even with the SD2 cable the sound just does not have the HF extension I like and because of that music lacks life and energy. I do listen to Rock/Metal so that has to taken into account.

 
Quote:

faudrei said:

 
Hi Nigel. I was a non-power-cable believer and decide to try A-GD power cables because they were cheap enough for experimenting. Result - I can "hear" different power cable presence. More with DAC, less with headamp. They seem to give more "body" to the overall sound picture.
 
You can order custom lengths of A-GD power cable. I did so (0,75m) when I ordered their PS Filter Outlet. Funny name, good product. If you do not have any kind of power conditioning/filtering I can only recommend it - it improves sound more than power cables.

There is advantage when using XLR inputs, but only if you are feeding differential/balanced signal (in phase and inverted phase). When using good single ended source with RCA interconnects of decent quality the XLR vs. RCA differences are minimal. Also, no sense in reterminating RCA cables to XLR because XLR in phase signal input is the same as RCA signal input.
 
Do reterminate K701. They do improve greatly.
 
A-GD uses Neutrik inputs for quite some time now. No fakes, decent quality.
 
Out of Roc balanced HD600 are better controlled and less "veiled". They "obey" much better.
 

Click to expand...

Thanks FauDrei nice to know that I can order custom lengths I will probabaly just stick to to Audio gd leads then. I do have a power conditioner although I don't really know if its having any audio benefit.
Also happy to hear there is no real diff betreen RCA and XLR imputs. Saves me a bit of hassle
I will reterminate  the K701's. I intend to cut a few inches of the ALO cable to use as an balanced to SE adapter lead as well.
 

I'd suggest, rather than order the power cable, order the power conditioner instead. Overall, it's more useful and better value (as you can use it for more than one device) and there's no debate about whether it actually does anything or not. 

The problem with the power conditioner is that it comrs with us outlets. So we in UK have to change the plugs, or use some adapters

Quote:

currawong said:

I'd suggest, rather than order the power cable, order the power conditioner instead. Overall, it's more useful and better value (as you can use it for more than one device) and there's no debate about whether it actually does anything or not. 

Click to expand...

I already have a power conditioner but will need a 2m power cable for the Roc. I doubt the one included is 2m but now I know its a decent cable I will ask for a 2m one. Thanks.
 
Just noticed the new 'musical' ROC sa. Cheaper and with more power, at 300ohms anyway, than the standard Roc but looks like it has not got ACSS.

That man never sleeps!
Just sent an email asking how the new version could sound with lower impedance cans (the HE-5LE, in my case).
Maybe Kingwa can offer a special price for the owners of the "old" Roc...