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Balanced headamp with two different balanced inputs?

post #1 of 16
7/20/10 at 6:05pm
Thread Starter 

I was just wondering if anyone knew of a balanced headphone amp that would let me switch between two stereo balanced inputs, instead of just going back and forth between balanced and single-ended. I have a balanced phono stage and a balanced DAC, so it would be a nice option.

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post #2 of 16
7/20/10 at 6:13pm

Why not get a standalone balanced source selector? 

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post #3 of 16
7/20/10 at 6:22pm
Thread Starter 

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by nikongod View Post

Why not get a standalone balanced source selector? 


I'm just trying to keep it simple, but are there any 2x1 units that you would recommend? I've been having a hard time finding anything that is stereo XLR.

 

This Kramer is the only one I can find at all actually, but it has two extra inputs that I would never use and really doesn't seem geared towards the "audiophile".


Edited by grokit - 7/20/10 at 6:35pm
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post #4 of 16
7/20/10 at 10:16pm

Build a source selector, save yourself time and headache hunting for amp with multiple inputs, plus it'll be much more versatile in the long run.  I can see one being built for around $50.

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post #5 of 16
7/21/10 at 4:32am

The RSA Apache has two balanced and two single ended inputs. Nice amp too.

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post #6 of 16
7/21/10 at 4:52am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gu Sensei View Post

The RSA Apache has two balanced and two single ended inputs. Nice amp too.


Thanks, Gu, that Apache is freakin' sweet! Gonna have to sub-prime the house or something though

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post #7 of 16
7/21/10 at 9:21am

Would the Little Dot MKVII+ fit the bill?  I am not sure if this is what you are looking for, but thought I should mention it, just in case.  It has both the 4-pin balanced connector, and the SE connector. 

 

Hope this helps,

Matt

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post #8 of 16
7/21/10 at 10:02am

The Audio-gd Phoenix has two balanced inputs.

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post #9 of 16
7/21/10 at 10:19am

the WES has two balanced inputs... and it is technically balanced...

 

 

x2 on building a source selector, though - it is extremely painless, and will allow you to use any amplifier you want!  why settle for something you may not prefer, simply due to input options? 

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post #10 of 16
7/21/10 at 1:23pm

Ray Samuels Audio A-10 Thunderbolt II

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post #11 of 16
7/21/10 at 1:45pm

For a good, but reasonably priced source selector-- Goldpoint SW2X-O

 

For something that's a little fancier, you can check out the Music First Audio Classic Preamp

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post #12 of 16
7/21/10 at 2:02pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by El_Doug View Post

the WES has two balanced inputs... and it is technically balanced...
 

x2 on building a source selector, though - it is extremely painless, and will allow you to use any amplifier you want!  why settle for something you may not prefer, simply due to input options?

Quote:
Originally Posted by krmathis View Post

Ray Samuels Audio A-10 Thunderbolt II

 

Interesting how there are two electrostatic headamps (so far) with this option, but just one for dynamic use. For the Apache's price range, I could just get a Cambridge - 840E preamp to use with any headamp and have even more options.

 

DIY it may be, I need to get my act together in that dept. though. It sure seems like there should be more options in the pre-built source selector, or in the affordable headamp dept; a niche to be exploited perhaps?
 

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post #13 of 16
7/21/10 at 2:09pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by jenneth View Post

For a good, but reasonably priced source selector-- Goldpoint SW2X-O

 

For something that's a little fancier, you can check out the Music First Audio Classic Preamp


Thanks, jenneth, hadn't seen either of those. That Goldpoint looks pretty perfect; the Music First is incredible as well but it sure makes the Apache look like a bargain!

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post #14 of 16
7/21/10 at 2:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by grokit View Post

Interesting how there are two electrostatic headamps (so far) with this option, but just one for dynamic use. For the Apache's price range, I could just get a Cambridge - 840E preamp to use with any headamp and have even more options.



Well, there's at least one more dynamic HP amp that has multiple XLR inputs, but it's quite expensive (and that's why I didn't mention it in my first post)-- APEX Pinnacle (FYI, it has 3 balanced inputs).


Edited by jenneth - 7/21/10 at 2:11pm
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post #15 of 16
7/21/10 at 2:20pm
Thread Starter 

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by jenneth View Post

Well, there's at least one more dynamic HP amp that has multiple XLR inputs, but it's quite expensive (and that's why I didn't mention it in my first post)-- APEX Pinnacle (FYI, it has 3 balanced inputs).


Wow, that one is over the top, kind of outclasses my sources though! Thanks again

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