| Originally Posted by parhelictriangle /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thanks, grawk. Look forward to hearing your HF2-Duet impressions. |
| Does anyone have any good amp recommendations for the Duet? Something like the Headroom Desktop would probably be in my budget range (when I do have a budget). Seems a little difficult to to get impressions of the Headroom stuff-- not enough esoteric cred anymore? I'm guessing the Micro line from Headroom isn't going to be a dramatic improvement over the Duet HP-out. No? Anyway, something sub-1500 USD that sounds good with HD650s and the Duet? I'm trying to get things right enough to stave off the upgradeitis for a few more years. Famous last words, I know. |
| Originally Posted by grawk /img/forum/go_quote.gif You definitely should get a headphone amp for 650s, tho I don't know whether that specific one will make a difference or not. I'd recommend the 600s, as I think they're better headphones except when REALLY good amps are involved. |
Quote:
Originally Posted by grawk /img/forum/go_quote.gif
I don't use maestro save files personally. I also found that I got better performance by using the line out and not instrument out setting, and just setting the volume at max on the duet.
Apologies for the large bump; I seem to have developed a veritable crapload of questions.
Grawk, do you still use the Duet?
Eventually, I'd like to add an amp to the chain, using the Duet as a DAC. I think I can be pretty happy with my MBP/ALAC/Duet as my digital source.
I do think the Duet drives the HD650s reasonably well (and I do love my 650s), and certainly better than a lot of cheap or portable setups that I've tinkered with briefly. I'm happy with it for now, but I definitely want to upgrade the amp stage when I have more income.
So, although I'm just pipe-dreamin' at this point, I'd love some advice on how to set up the Duet for this purpose. Amp advice-- how is this H3? Also, do you still recommend the line out, duet at 0db attenuation for connecting to an amp? I've seen on some other, err, head-related forums where I lurk but haven't registered that some prefer setting the Duet at 25% or so. For some reason the idea of this bugs me-- shouldn't the Duet be maxed to give the best signal-to-noise ratio?
You should have you duet maxed or close to maxed and the studio monitor speakers turned down or up until they are at your typical listening volume. This gives you good signal to the speakers, but leaves a little headroom if extra volume is needed. Then you use the duet to control the volume. This is even what apogee recommends. For home stereo they recommend full volume and then controlling the volume with your stereo. The idea is that most studio monitors have volume controls on the back, so leaving a little headroom won't sacrifice any noticeable quality, but makes volume adjustments much more simplistic. If you want the absolute best quality, max the duet.
Incidentally, when I run the Duet outs to my powered speakers, I need to keep the Duet at about 25% to avoid blasting my ears out before the channels sound balanced for near-field listening.
Another question: does anyone know where I can find a break-out cable with the appropriate RCA-connectors for amp use. And--beyond that-- is there any way to go balanced from the Duet, so I can really do the HD650s a service?
Going balanced is unnecessary. There won't be any improvements in sound quality. Balanced cabling is primarily for longer runs and specific applications. You can however use a 1/4" to RCA adapter and you will see absolutely no quality loss, assuming the adapter isn't of completely horrible build quality.
Gah, I apologize again for question-dumping in this old thread. Any advice would be much obliged.
Edit: One last question. I'm sort of a n00b to computer audio-- but I'm a little confused by sample rates. I listen to lossless files mostly, these are 16bit, 44.1 khz. But under Audio MIDI setup, the sample rates are listed as 44.1 with 24 bit sample size (for input and output). Do I have this setup right?
Yes. That is the duet's default output. The mac audio system will manage any sample rate changes or conversions based on the application you're using. Some applications can fight for different settings, and in that case you might get crashes, audio glitches or you simply won't know because it is converting the signal automatically. That is why sometimes you should open itunes after everything is set, because it detects your settings and handles the audio accordingly. The mac os is very good at handling audio though, and usually you shouldn't have any issues.
Lastly, there is a known issue or rather "design implementation" with the duet, where 44khz audio setting causes hiss/noise. You can safely go into the midi/audio control panel and change the "format" to 48khz or higher. The system will automatically handle conversion, but using any other setting on the duet removes the hiss/noise. Try it and you should hear it. This is not typical amp noise though, because you will see that adjusting the volume won't increase the hiss/noise. I talked with apogee and it has something to do with the gain staging being pre volume knob. Anyhow, it works.
But I settled on an IEM as it can be used anywhere. I couldn't take the hd600 anywhere (realistically). I found them to be very high quality. The only two gripes I have with them are the isolation (zero) and they are a tad too much mid bass. When I say a tad, I mean a tad. I prefer extreme flat graphed response and I lowered the mid bass a tad to make the perfect. If you are worried about the duet, I didn't hear any difference between that and any of my other high end gear or portable c5 amp... They follow the 1/8 impedance rule that is generally accepted, and I don't hear any issue there. They are powered with no issue by the duet either with plenty of headroom.
