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Impedence matching question

post #1 of 3
7/6/11 at 6:40pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks to all who take the time to reply. I have recently purchased a Schiit Valhalla which I use with my Grado HF2. I have a few questions if I might be a hog:

 

(1) When your impedences don't match well, i.e. low hp high amp, how might the sound characteristics suffer if at all?

 

(2) I am trying to find a used DT880/990, but would like to know which one will match the Valhalla better, a 250ohm or 600ohm? I assume that the 32ohm Grado is a stretch for the Valhalla, so would a 600ohm can be a problem toward the other extreme?

 

I have found the Grado HF2/Valhalla combo to be very pleasant, but I have no point of comparrison so I can't claim that my observation is relevant.

 

As a side question, I'm sorry, but I have passed my Creek integrated through it's tape monitor into the Valhalla input. This way I don't have to disconnect from the Valhalla to use my integrated when desired. Is there any sound quality penalty for doing so, or is the tape monitor a completely passive circuit path to use? Thanks.

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post #2 of 3
7/6/11 at 6:47pm

Dont worry about what you did with the Creek. Unless you want to worry. Tape loop/tape monitor outputs are usually just a fancy piece of wire. Maybe with a switch. 

 

With an OTL tube amp, 600 ohm cans are the way to go. Im half convinced that many peoples opinions on differences between the various impedance options on a given beyer can are caused as much by their amps various inabilities to drive them. 

 

When impedance dont match well different things happen. 

Narrowed down to OTL tube amps with low impedance headphones, distortions go up! It does not really sound as bad as you may think, but when you compare to an amp that drives the cans "clean" its clear that there is a difference. 

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post #3 of 3
7/6/11 at 7:02pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks Nikongod, I appreciate your advice. Jason from Schiit just responded to an e-mail of mine and also suggested the 600ohm Beyer. Now all I need is for some of the sellers I PM to answer me! Thanks again and anybody out there with a pristine DT880 600 ohm version for sale, feel free to contact me. Cheers.

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