The PA2V2 Thread
Dec 3, 2010 at 7:57 AM Post #91 of 752
Should be fine I guess. I would get this over the Cmoy as most Cmoys I have seen are quite a bit bigger than the PA2.
 
Dec 3, 2010 at 10:11 AM Post #93 of 752
How would you describe the sound of the pa2v2 ?
 
warm?
bright?
 
is it better suited for bassy,fun or analytical iem's ?
 
Dec 16, 2010 at 12:43 AM Post #96 of 752
NEED ADVICE ON NEW PA2V2 AMP
 
Ok, so I recently received my brand new PA2V2 amp from Gary, and I'm still not sure if it is making a difference. It could be because I'm an audio noob (this is my first headphone amp), or it could be my gear, or it could be that it needs to burn in... but I'm just not quite sure what to expect as far as performance enhancement.
 
I'm running Sennheiser HD448 over-the-ear cans and a 6th gen iPod (160G). I used NiMH batteries, as recommended. The only thing I have not done is adjust the gain levels (I was informed you do this with two little screws in the back). Any advice on setting the gain would be a great help. Also, how much of a difference in sound should I be expecting? Does it depend on the headphones? Is proper gain adjustment a big factor? Perhaps my Senns just don't need the added power?
 
Thanks in advance for any feedback.
 
Dec 16, 2010 at 4:00 AM Post #97 of 752
elektrobank55: This is from my correspondence with Gary when I asked him the same question (how to set the gain)
Also see my post a few pages back for some pictures.
 
Quote:
To get an optimum gain setting you first set the amp's gain to minimum (by turning each screw counter-clockwise) and turn the amp's rubber knob on full. You then hook up the source device with a song playing at about 75% volume, and plug your headphones into the amp. You can then turn up the gain screws to make the music through the headphones as loud as possible before they started distorting (or before they started to hurt your ears). This way with everything at max you could then use the amp's knob to turn the music down to a normal listening level.

 
Dec 16, 2010 at 10:24 AM Post #98 of 752
Eric, did you notice more of a change in sound quality/fullness after adjusting the gain setting? My main concern is that I'm not really noticing a difference since I've been using the amp with my iPod. However, I'm wondering if adjusting the gain will make that difference more apparent.
 
Quote:
elektrobank55: This is from my correspondence with Gary when I asked him the same question (how to set the gain)
Also see my post a few pages back for some pictures.
 
Quote:
To get an optimum gain setting you first set the amp's gain to minimum (by turning each screw counter-clockwise) and turn the amp's rubber knob on full. You then hook up the source device with a song playing at about 75% volume, and plug your headphones into the amp. You can then turn up the gain screws to make the music through the headphones as loud as possible before they started distorting (or before they started to hurt your ears). This way with everything at max you could then use the amp's knob to turn the music down to a normal listening level.



 
Dec 16, 2010 at 5:34 PM Post #99 of 752
Meh... I had typed quite a bit here but of course head-fi wouldn't let me post it... :frowning2:

Anyways I said that the PA2v2 is nice in that you can bypass the iPod's internal amp. Apart from that there is not much sound quality to be gained from this thing.
 
Dec 16, 2010 at 6:29 PM Post #100 of 752
Hmm. If there's not much sound quality to be gained, what is the purpose of the amp? I guess I thought that was the purpose...
 
Quote:
Meh... I had typed quite a bit here but of course head-fi wouldn't let me post it... :frowning2:

Anyways I said that the PA2v2 is nice in that you can bypass the iPod's internal amp. Apart from that there is not much sound quality to be gained from this thing.



 
Dec 16, 2010 at 9:46 PM Post #101 of 752
Like it's own name implies, the headphone amp amplifies power, increasing the maximum volume available. But it also improves sound quality, clarity and bass response, though that depends quite a bit on the headphones you're using, besides the source you're using.
I've had my PA2V2 for 4 months now and I couldn't be happier. It improved the sound of both my full sized headphones, as well as my IEMs.
 
If you're using an iPod,elektrobank55, I think you should get a LOD cable for it, it's something that can be had for very little money and everyone here seems to approve of its usage, bypassing the internal circuitry. Just using PA2V2 doesn't bypass iPod's internal amp because it's earlier in the chain. Try getting something like Fiio L3 LOD cable.
 
Dec 17, 2010 at 1:25 AM Post #102 of 752
Well, I can certainly give an LOD cable a try. I wasn't even aware of those. Thanks for the help.
 
Quote:
Like it's own name implies, the headphone amp amplifies power, increasing the maximum volume available. But it also improves sound quality, clarity and bass response, though that depends quite a bit on the headphones you're using, besides the source you're using.
I've had my PA2V2 for 4 months now and I couldn't be happier. It improved the sound of both my full sized headphones, as well as my IEMs.
 
If you're using an iPod,elektrobank55, I think you should get a LOD cable for it, it's something that can be had for very little money and everyone here seems to approve of its usage, bypassing the internal circuitry. Just using PA2V2 doesn't bypass iPod's internal amp because it's earlier in the chain. Try getting something like Fiio L3 LOD cable.



 
Dec 19, 2010 at 12:45 AM Post #103 of 752
Hi all,
 
I have been lurking here for several years now. I've been a happy owner of a pa2v2 for more than a year now. It gives great sound in all my in-ear earphones and my low-end over-the-ear headphones.
 
Unfortunately, the pa2v2 has failed completely at powering my Sennheiser HD555 headphones. I've calibrated the gain knobs using the method described by Gary and many others to no success. The Highs and Mids improve greatly but the low end sound is completely flattened and fluttery. It makes my HD555 headphones sound like a clock radio. I don't think my pa2v2 is broken because it powers a set of Sennheiser HD202 beautifully and gives them incredible low end and richness all over.
 
The strange thing is I see plenty of you on this and other forums reporting great results with headphones with even higher impedence than my HD 555 headphones. I've even seen other people with HD 555 headphones reporting great results. I'm confused :frowning2:
 
The pa2v2 is more than capable I think of blowing out my HD 555 headphones but the sound is like a clock radio before I even get half way there.
 
The only system in my house capable of driving my HD 555 headphones is a high-end Sony bookshelf radio I bought almost a decade ago. They give my HD 555 headphones such rich low end and crystal clear highs.
 
Is this normal guys?
 
Dec 19, 2010 at 12:14 PM Post #105 of 752


Quote:
Does not sound normal. Sounds like your gain is set up wrong (really).



Thanks for the reply apatN.
 
I agree with you. If I were reading this as someone else I would of thought the same thing. The sad thing is every time I go back to adjust them, there is no position whatsoever where the HD 555 come to life. They certainly get louder but the sound has zero improvement and might I say even degrades.
 
Does anyone think this could be a hardware issue?
 
I apologize if I hijacked the thread. I'll gladly make another if anyone is bothered.
 

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