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Does balanced->unbalanced affect bass response?

post #1 of 3
9/23/10 at 8:16pm
Thread Starter 

One of my audio setups involves feeding the output of an Edirol FA-66 to one of my amps -- either a Cambridge Audio Azur 340A integrated amp or an Onkyo TX-SR502 receiver via its balanced outputs to the amp's RCA inputs.

 

One significant thing that I am hearing is more bass output from the FA-66 compared to my other DAC, the Cambridge Audio DacMagic. The effect is significant and very noticeable -- it is not a subtle boost -- While this effect synergizes very well with my AKG K702, I am still curious as to what's boosting the bass.

 

The most immediate explanation would be either the DacMagic is bass-shy, or the FA-66 is bass-heavy. I don't think the former is true as the DacMagic is such a popular DAC and no one's made such complaints about it before (as far as I can tell). The latter, on the other hand, doesn't make much sense. Why would a pro audio device have a bass boost mechanism in its analog outputs (and this doesn't happen on the headphone jack -- I tested with several headphones)?

 

So... assuming the above two are incorrect, could the bass boost be an inherent effect due to balanced -> unbalanced transition?

 

The FA-66 uses a 1/4" TRS connectors for its balanced output, so I modded a cable to connect it to RCA. For this connection, the ring is left unconnected, so only tip and sleeve get connected to the RCA end. Perhaps this may cause the bass boost?

 

Any opinions on this matter?

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post #2 of 3
9/24/10 at 3:41am

 

Quote:
could the bass boost be an inherent effect due to balanced -> unbalanced transition?

 

 

I don't think so unless there is something actually wrong with the cable/connectors. For a definitive answer try http://www.gearslutz.com/board/

 

Personally I would suspect the CA DAC Magic first. CA gear enjoys a curious position in the hi-fi firmament. In the old school inky mags it always gets positive, even drooling, reviews but always with the qualification 'For the price'. Essentially it is the cheapest possible solution. Stores carry it because of the markup and in the hope that it will get you started then you will trade up to something genuinely good not simply good value.

 

I say this because I fell for it myself. I bought a phono pre amp from them. The 640P. Despite the stellar reviews (for the price) I was disappointed to discover it was noisier than both the inexpensive phono stages on my DJ mixer and old Kenwood receiver. The MC input in particular displayed an ~3 dB hum below 150Hz at unity gain. I have proof of this courtesy of the audio analysis software that comes with my MOTU hardware. CA and Richer Sounds were good about it (they offer a 2 year guarantee). Once they saw my print outs they happily exchanged the device. Twice. They were all the same. 

 

This is one of the reasons I am so happy to recommend semi pro audio gear to friends and acquaintances  these days. I am unable to explain exactly why but it represents far better quality in almost all areas, except possibly looks, than equivalents from the ailing Hi-Fi industry. 

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post #3 of 3
9/25/10 at 9:18am
Thread Starter 

Hmm... interesting views about CA. I'll play around more with different sources and see how they compare against the FA-66 and DacMagic when I find some time for it.

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