I am in the market for a good but cheap desktop H.phone amp and noticed that seemingly none have a L-R balance control. I suppose I for one, am always setting the balance to get the singer or 'solo' instrument into the exact center of the 'stage' (may not be the intended 'balance' by performer but is MY preference).
(yes there are exceptions, live performances where balance is to replicate the 'viewed' placement of performers - but still annoying!)
Is this a fetish for me, but I notice it immediately or nearly if not centered. It also seems odd that so much music is 'non centered' perfectly, needing maybe only a tweak from the previous song. I seem to not 'create' the best sonic image without this centering, is it just me?
So I have searched and have been seeing/gathering info/reviews on <$100 hp amps, noticed the Fiio batch but then noticed no balance, as well as several other brands.
Of course I have been using for many years a DIY balance with 3.5mm & 1/4" sockets to a 3.5mm short lead, hooked to whatever source I am listening, but the electrical engineer in me wants the fewest unnecessary connections & all the downside of them. :(
So, if anyone knows of a hp amp for <$100, desktop or portable WITH a balance control, please refer it to me, & any other comments about this topic!
Thanks!
PS: Have you noticed how much 60's, 70's & even some 80's music uses extreme separation of instruments, lead guitar hard left, bass hard right, & maybe singer(s) in middle, drums somewhere, maybe? I hate that much separation, 1 ear for bass, 1 ear for guitar, 2 ears for singer, 1 eared listening, hah, yuck!
PPS: Have been trying LOTS (about 12 or so) of BestBuy (30 day return) offered isolating earbuds, IEM's, all looking for a quick insert version of the sound I get from my ER4s, Senn HD600's, Koss ESP-750, Beyer DT880 & DT990, etc Have been most impressed with a $10 Dynex earbud, unpretentious but better in ways than $100 IEM/earbuds (ex. Skullcandy Titans, various others)!
