Latest Thread Images

GUSTARD H10 High-current Discrete Class A output Stage Headphone Amplifier
Mar 7, 2016 at 10:12 AM Post #4,607 of 5,552
willowbrook said:
  I got myself a pair of FLC8s recently and was looking into impedance adapters that are used with desktop amps. Is anyone familiar with IEMs impedance matching with H10?
Click to expand...


What is it that leads you to think that impedance matching is required? From the specs the FLC8s have an impedance value of 11 ohms. The H10, though not published, but based on the listed damping factor has an output impedance below one ohm. (for the damping factor of 400 at 50 ohms the output impedance would be ~ 0.125 ohms) This should be ok for the 11 ohms of the IEM... easily exceeding the 1 to 8 ratio rule often quoted as the minimum for good damping.
 
What is your goal in using some kind of impedance matching device?
 
EDIT: I do see that with multiple drivers devices, especially with BA drivers, some have manipulated the output impedance that the IEM sees to alter the sound... for better or worse These tricks do more than alter the frequency balance, it messes with the overall damping factor. Potentially doing all kinds of nastiness. Is this what you are trying to do?
 
Mar 7, 2016 at 11:48 AM Post #4,608 of 5,552
My V5s are out now. I'm back to stock. The change is substantial . Mainly clarity . Which enhances texture which affects layering and soundstage. The bass is not as tight , again a downgrade in texture. It just sounds a little lazy and hazy compared to the v5s. I miss them. Dennis at burson emailed me assuring me that the new batch would be ready for me this week. To me, definately worth the price of the upgrade. H10 still sounds great but not like it did with the v5s.
 
Mar 7, 2016 at 4:36 PM Post #4,609 of 5,552
I'm a bit confused right now. On Burson's website under "Data Sheet" I still see +/- 15V max voltage for the V5 Opamps. Does that mean that they have not yet sold the new batch or have they already shipped the new version?
 
Mar 7, 2016 at 6:27 PM Post #4,610 of 5,552
jackharm said:
  Is purchasing directly from Burson not an option for you? (there's a combo box and add to cart button at the bottom of the page)
 
Also, like others have said, you could always just try out the singles first to get your feet a little wet.

EDIT:

The H10 has two sets of op-amps; two singles (which are located on the side) and two duals (which are near the rear connectors).
Here's a little guide I wrote if you need more thorough steps.
Click to expand...


Quite a nicely written guide. For some reason I just didn't consider Burson
confused_face.gif
saw the $ sign and just disregarded it as not shipping to UK but see on the bottom they do international post.
Will shoot them an email see if they can quote me a deal incl taxes. Thanks!
 
In response to edit: I can understand that bit, but what's physically different between a 1x dual and 1x single (or not even physically, but acoustically)?
 
Mar 7, 2016 at 8:36 PM Post #4,611 of 5,552
mandrake50 said:
 
What is it that leads you to think that impedance matching is required? From the specs the FLC8s have an impedance value of 11 ohms. The H10, though not published, but based on the listed damping factor has an output impedance below one ohm. (for the damping factor of 400 at 50 ohms the output impedance would be ~ 0.125 ohms) This should be ok for the 11 ohms of the IEM... easily exceeding the 1 to 8 ratio rule often quoted as the minimum for good damping.
 
What is your goal in using some kind of impedance matching device?
 
EDIT: I do see that with multiple drivers devices, especially with BA drivers, some have manipulated the output impedance that the IEM sees to alter the sound... for better or worse These tricks do more than alter the frequency balance, it messes with the overall damping factor. Potentially doing all kinds of nastiness. Is this what you are trying to do?
Click to expand...

I didn't know that..hm..I expect the FLC8s to pick up more noise floor from H10 since it is more sensitive than the dn1000 which I used previously. Haven't tried it on H10 yet, but I'm just looking into it and not a lot of information going around regarding this subject.
 
Mar 7, 2016 at 8:43 PM Post #4,612 of 5,552
tvnosaint said:
My V5s are out now. I'm back to stock. The change is substantial . Mainly clarity . Which enhances texture which affects layering and soundstage. The bass is not as tight , again a downgrade in texture. It just sounds a little lazy and hazy compared to the v5s. I miss them. Dennis at burson emailed me assuring me that the new batch would be ready for me this week. To me, definately worth the price of the upgrade. H10 still sounds great but not like it did with the v5s.
Click to expand...

I just got an email from Burson that the new V5s are on their way right now. I think they started shipping out.
 
orejo said:
I'm a bit confused right now. On Burson's website under "Data Sheet" I still see +/- 15V max voltage for the V5 Opamps. Does that mean that they have not yet sold the new batch or have they already shipped the new version?
Click to expand...

You might want to contact them first, but they told me my replacement is the new batch specially for H10 customers.
 
Mar 7, 2016 at 10:21 PM Post #4,613 of 5,552
willowbrook said:
  I didn't know that..hm..I expect the FLC8s to pick up more noise floor from H10 since it is more sensitive than the dn1000 which I used previously. Haven't tried it on H10 yet, but I'm just looking into it and not a lot of information going around regarding this subject.
Click to expand...


I would give the FLC8s a try before worrying about it. Perhaps the whole impedance matching device subject is not discussed because it has little value? I don't know, but I do know that doing it wrong will be worse than not messing with it. At least in this case... when there is no electrical problem present.
 
Mar 7, 2016 at 10:52 PM Post #4,614 of 5,552
mandrake50 said:
 
I would give the FLC8s a try before worrying about it. Perhaps the whole impedance matching device subject is not discussed because it has little value? I don't know, but I do know that doing it wrong will be worse than not messing with it. At least in this case... when there is no electrical problem present.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your comments, sure will try first before looking into it. I don't have access to H10 right now , but these do sound amazing out of my laptop and am very excited to try them with H10. Burson V5 singles replacement is expected to arrive soon just in time. I also sent my HE-560 in for replacement because the connectors were becoming bothersome, drivers were mismatched along with pads build quality problem and it looks like they will also be here soon. I love how fast international deliveries are in the same continent.
 
Mar 8, 2016 at 10:14 AM Post #4,617 of 5,552
humblesquad said:
  Hi, let me pose a question. H10 is described as a "discrete" amplifier, but many here are talking about opamp rolling. Why does the opamp rolling affect sound quality in spite of the discrete architecture?
Click to expand...

 
I don't understand how the H10 could be described as having "discrete architecture" when it uses IC op-amps. Where have you seen it written that the H-10 is "a 'discrete' amplifier?"
 
The Burson Soloist is an example of a discrete design.  I don't know what those ICs do, as seen in this photo, but there aren't any IC op-amps in the signal path:
 
Soloist%20Internal%20topdown.jpg
 
Mar 8, 2016 at 10:23 AM Post #4,618 of 5,552
zilch0md said:
   
I don't understand how the H10 could be described as having "discrete architecture" when it uses IC op-amps. Where have you seen it written that the H-10 is "a 'discrete' amplifier?"
Click to expand...

 
I'm sorry if I'm misunderstanding but this thread title (and most ebay seller) says "GUSTARD H10 High-current Discrete Class A output Stage Headphone Amplifier". Doesn't this mean H10 is a discrete amplifier? I guess I'm misunderstanding 
triportsad.gif

 
Mar 8, 2016 at 10:34 AM Post #4,619 of 5,552
humblesquad said:
   
I'm sorry if I'm misunderstanding but this thread title (and most ebay seller) says "GUSTARD H10 High-current Discrete Class A output Stage Headphone Amplifier". Doesn't this mean H10 is a discrete amplifier? I guess I'm misunderstanding 
triportsad.gif
Click to expand...

 
 
Sheesh!  LOL - I've never noticed that!  
tongue.gif

 
Well, I guess the thread's OP needs to tell us where he got that title.
 
Mar 8, 2016 at 10:36 AM Post #4,620 of 5,552
Read the first few posts in this Gearslutz thread:
 
https://www.gearslutz.com/board/geekslutz-forum/459520-discreet-amplifier-definition.html
 
Quoting the 6th post:
 
There exist both discrete and IC opamps. An opamp is just an "operational amplifier" which is just a type of amplification utility used in circuit design. Whether it is discrete or IC depends solely on how it is built, not really what it does. They both do the same basic thing, and are pretty much interchangeable.

A lot of people like discrete opamps because they reportedly sound smoother, clearer, and more musical than ICs, since you can use the best of each component to put them together. On the other hand, ICs are smaller, much cheaper, and in many cases can even have better specs than discretes.
Click to expand...

 
So, when you replace the IC op-amps that ship with the Gustard H10, with op-amps made using discrete components (i.e. Burson V5 op-amps), the H10 then becomes a "discrete" amplifier.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 3 (members: 0, guests: 3)
Back
Top