Tralucent T1 appreciation thread - post your experiences and questions here - Page 15

So the portatube is a cross between solid state along with the euphoric/smooth sound of a tube amp? That sounds kinda nice :).
 

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Originally Posted by Saraguie 

What are your other purchases?  Inquiring minds want to know LOL

 

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Originally Posted by lee730 

Why you being so Niele!!! ;) lol

I cannot help myself! I want it ALL :)

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Originally Posted by lee730 

So the portatube is a cross between solid state along with the euphoric/smooth sound of a tube amp? That sounds kinda nice :).
 

Are we getting off topic yet again?

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Originally Posted by shigzeo 

Are we getting off topic yet again?

We can just call it comparisons between the T1s sound ;).

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Originally Posted by lee730 

We can just call it comparisons between the T1s sound ;).

You win again.

What is the best DAC to feed the T1 then? How about the DACport LX? Or the DX100... though it seems like a luxury.

It is sanded off, and considering how many copy cats are in the game, I think it is every company's prerogative to protect their small or large investments in research and development by hiding what they can from the copycats. In Europe and North America you don't see so many copy cats, but here in Asia, especially China, Korea, and Japan, there are so many small companies trying to rip off the biggies. The Japanese will tell you they don't copy - that they never have, but dear me... they are blind. 

Anyway, I have no idea what the op-amp is.

The better the source you can connect to the T1, the better, just like any amp. The T1 has a nice enough circuit that it can reduce hiss from poor sources or expand the line outs of good gear. If the volume gets fixed, even line-level outputs will be easy to handle.

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Originally Posted by shigzeo 

It is sanded off, and considering how many copy cats are in the game, I think it is every company's prerogative to protect their small or large investments in research and development by hiding what they can from the copycats. In Europe and North America you don't see so many copy cats, but here in Asia, especially China, Korea, and Japan, there are so many small companies trying to rip off the biggies. The Japanese will tell you they don't copy - that they never have, but dear me... they are blind. 

 

Anyway, I have no idea what the op-amp is.

 

The better the source you can connect to the T1, the better, just like any amp. The T1 has a nice enough circuit that it can reduce hiss from poor sources or expand the line outs of good gear. If the volume gets fixed, even line-level outputs will be easy to handle.

Just keep in mind if the LO source is very powerful I cannot recommend the T1 amp with sensitive IEMs as its volume pot lacks good volume control without channel imbalance at lower volumes. With more so power hungry headphones then I'd say otherwise :). Pretty much on the DX100 I'd fix the T1 amp at half volume and put the DX100 line out at around 155 to a bit more depending on the track. No way could I put it at max volume or line level and not destroy my hearing lol (without running into channel imbalance that is). Pretty much that is my only qualm with this amp. The LED can be a bit bright but I can't really fault that. Sometimes its actually helpful in the dark :P.

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Originally Posted by lee730 

 

Just keep in mind if the LO source is very powerful I cannot recommend the T1 amp with sensitive IEMs as its volume pot lacks good volume control without channel imbalance at lower volumes. With more so power hungry headphones then I'd say otherwise :). Pretty much on the DX100 I'd fix the T1 amp at half volume and put the DX100 line out at around 155 to a bit more depending on the track. No way could I put it at max volume or line level and not destroy my hearing lol (without running into channel imbalance that is). Pretty much that is my only qualm with this amp. The LED can be a bit bright but I can't really fault that. Sometimes its actually helpful in the dark :P.

Gavin has mentioned that he is working on fixing this. That is the number one reason I dropped the review mark from full to 4/5. In fact, I didn't in my review recommend sensitive earphones with the T1 no matter how good they can sound. I have a feeling that you and I have lower thresholds for pain, but that is probably a good thing for our ears.

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Originally Posted by shigzeo 

Gavin has mentioned that he is working on fixing this. That is the number one reason I dropped the review mark from full to 4/5. In fact, I didn't in my review recommend sensitive earphones with the T1 no matter how good they can sound. I have a feeling that you and I have lower thresholds for pain, but that is probably a good thing for our ears.

It's not just pain Shigzeo lol. We value our hearing apparently (maybe even have higher than normal sensitivity). Even as a child I'd be in pain at assemblies and concerts. My ears would be crackling from all the noise. Like I am picking up major distortion. Not fun at all! I'd be covering my ears with my hands lol. People would ask me "what is wrong?". I'd say "Can't you hear that, aren't you all in pain also?"

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Originally Posted by lee730 

 

Just keep in mind if the LO source is very powerful I cannot recommend the T1 amp with sensitive IEMs as its volume pot lacks good volume control without channel imbalance at lower volumes. With more so power hungry headphones then I'd say otherwise :). Pretty much on the DX100 I'd fix the T1 amp at half volume and put the DX100 line out at around 155 to a bit more depending on the track. No way could I put it at max volume or line level and not destroy my hearing lol (without running into channel imbalance that is). Pretty much that is my only qualm with this amp. The LED can be a bit bright but I can't really fault that. Sometimes its actually helpful in the dark :P.

It sounds a little crazy but... could use this plug adapter to add 75 ohms of resistance... hence requiring more power from the amp and getting it up into the range where balance is not an issue!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ETYMOTIC-ER4P-TO-ER4S-RESISTOR-ADAPTOR-3-5MM-PLUG-/290372905689 

I've read that there are drawback to volume pots, beyond just channel imbalance at low volumes. Some desktop amps go to extraordinary lengths on volume, including digital controls, current-based amplification, etc. to make volume control perfect.

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Originally Posted by Toe Tag 

 

It sounds a little crazy but... could use this plug adapter to add 75 ohms of resistance... hence requiring more power from the amp and getting it up into the range where balance is not an issue!

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ETYMOTIC-ER4P-TO-ER4S-RESISTOR-ADAPTOR-3-5MM-PLUG-/290372905689 

 

I've read that there are drawback to volume pots, beyond just channel imbalance at low volumes. Some desktop amps go to extraordinary lengths on volume, including digital controls, current-based amplification, etc. to make volume control perfect.

The problem with resistance adapters is that they can affect the frequency response of the earphone/headphone. Balanced armatures incur massive changes, often sounding like a completely different earphone. I used to use a 75Ω resistor for certain dynamic earphones, but even then there was a bit too much change for me. At the time, though, I preferred to go small and simple with my portable setup, so plugged away with the annoyances. 

Yep the resistors tend to change the sound and for the worse usually... I even felt this in regards to dynamic IEMs so I can imagine how bad it would possibly sound on BA :P.
 

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Forgot to hit the "quote" button

I can accept that but hey, for only $18 we can find out how it sounds...

And remember, this item can custom made different ohm impedance adaptor (15, 22, 30, 33, 36, 51, 68, 82, 91, 100, 120, 150, 200, 240, 300, 360 & 620ohm)