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Portable class A headphone amps - Page 2

post #16 of 40
6/3/10 at 7:43pm

most modern opamps have no need to be class A, modifying a truly modern opamp for class A operation (as easy as a couple of resistors) will often make the sound worse not better. dont buy into catch phrases without knowing why.

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post #17 of 40
6/3/10 at 7:59pm

I really don't understand why someone would want a class-A HP amp. I used to own a class-A mono-block pair of amps for a full range ribbon speakers but for HP application?

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post #18 of 40
6/3/10 at 8:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sumflow View Post

What does inefficient and practical have to do with getting the best sound possible? My home amps have that class A sound. Why would anyone want to go on the road with anything less.  That is of course unless they have never heard it.

 

Because I'd rather not carry a lot of batteries or a huge amp around if I'm going portable.

 

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post #19 of 40
6/3/10 at 8:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by wuwhere View Post

I really don't understand why someone would want a class-A HP amp. I used to own a class-A mono-block pair of amps for a full range ribbon speakers but for HP application?


didnt you used to have the class a topkit for D10 from hiflight? with some older opamps it works quite well, but most modern chips already runin a or ab stock

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post #20 of 40
6/3/10 at 8:14pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by qusp View Post




didnt you used to have the class a topkit for D10 from hiflight? with some older opamps it works quite well, but most modern chips already runin a or ab stock


EL8201 as buffers for the D10 with AD744 output bypassed class A opamps. I actually like this combo, very warm-sounding.

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post #21 of 40
6/3/10 at 8:14pm

The battery life seems good, good power too:

 

"DRIVE ANY HEADPHONE IN THE WORLD FROM 16Ω to 600Ω
RECHARGABLE 9V Li-ion BATTERY WITH HIGH PERFORMANCE FETURES MADE BY MICROSHAR(MS600)

UP TO 12 HOURS CONTINUES USE BATTERY LIFE

ONLY 2 TO 3 HOURS CHARGING TIME
SWITCHING (90 TO 240VAC) WALL CHARGER HIGH QUALITY MADE BY MICROSHAR
IT POSIBLE FOR USE AS A 9V PORTABLE HEADPHONE AMP OR 12V DESK TOP HEADPHONE AMP"
And the kicker:

"LABORATORY HAND MADE IN THE USA"

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post #22 of 40
6/3/10 at 8:29pm
Thread Starter 

Why do tube amps sound different?

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post #23 of 40
6/3/10 at 8:38pm

More distortion is the main reason. Tubes and op-amps/transistors are very different animals. 

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post #24 of 40
6/3/10 at 8:45pm
Thread Starter 

A hundred times, a hundred watts per channel, is one thing.  But a hundred times what it takes to push in-ear earphones should be tiny in comparison.

Quote:

Quote:Originally Posted by Currawong View Post  Because I'd rather not carry a lot of batteries or a huge amp around if I'm going portable.

What do you need impedance: 56 ohms? 100 times whatever it is can’t be much larger than a ipod. How does that constant current work?

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post #25 of 40
6/3/10 at 9:51pm

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sumflow View Post

Why do tube amps sound different?


They don't necessarily.

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post #26 of 40
6/3/10 at 9:53pm

^^ indeed - from eachother, they don't have to, but when compared to solid state amps, they generally gain their 'smoothness' from greater levels of distortion.

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post #27 of 40
6/3/10 at 11:19pm

I believe that the HiSound Amp3 mp3 player/amp combo is supposedly Class A. I can definitely tell you that it doesn't offer a lot of headroom so it can drive most IEMS and low imp headphones (32-60 ohms) but it might not get as loud as one would like. Not to mention the hiss on the unit is distracting at times

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post #28 of 40
6/3/10 at 11:45pm

The AMP3 certainly doesn't drive my iems very well: closed in stereo and loads of hiss, not to mention the somewhat noticeable bass roll off: far from good with earphones. It is comfortable with 100Ω and more. 

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post #29 of 40
6/4/10 at 12:51am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sumflow View Post

Thank you I did not know until now that the uAMP109G2 was a class A amp. 

Mircoshar.jpg  They post specs like class A amps do.. I will look into it.  THD+N ≤ 0.00003% Made in USA.    Thanks..
Quote:

What does inefficient and practical have to do with getting the best sound possible? My home amps have that class A sound. Why would anyone want to go on the road with anything less.  That is of course unless they have never heard it.


There are too many zeros on that THD+N.  It's physically impossible. 

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post #30 of 40
6/4/10 at 12:58am

^^ indeed!

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