Just got my ALO Rx Mk3 a few minutes ago and am listening to the DT1350 balanced, single ended out of the DX100 line out into the Mk3 with the balance headphone out.
It does add something to the sound...am please with the initial impression.
First impression is that the bass line without any additional adjustment is much more detailed and powerful with better soundstage/imaging.
Does anyone have any experience using CIEMs balanced and does it mess with the sound in a negative way? I am listening now to my Weston 4r balanced to see what happens if anything.
Keeping on listening to the Mk3 now with the Westone 4r...open less warm than with the DX100 single ended. Love the imaging balanced. It would seem that the Mk3 for my sound profile preference is better for me than the RSA SR-71B with either the DT1350 or 4R.
Time to get to the Senn HD25-1 and check it out balanced for first impressions on those phones. Note first thing that was apparent is the DX100 drives the HD25 at a higher volume than the Mk3, using the same setting I had for the 4r having both at near the same level. The Dx100 single ended is darker than the Mk3 with the HD25. HD25 is much better sounding not so dark.
First impressions are that this unit is one amazing little device.
The sound profile of the Mk3 to me leans toward the cleaner, more natural sounding HP-P1 while the DX100 amp leans toward the much darker SR-71B. Both the Mk3 and DX100 maintain a musicality that is very much to my pleasure which is better to me than the SR-71B which of course is consider very musical. I thought the HP-P1 was quite musical as well but probably with a little less power and control than either the DX100 or Mk3.
During my 4r listening I could tell very little difference between single ended and balance on a first impression bases but with my portable DT1350 it is quite apparent the better imaging that the balanced presentation brings to the sound. Having a diaphragm may be key is getting the little extra going balanced provides.
Of course present amount of listening time and burn-in should considered when reading these impressions.
I really can't say what the differences are right now between single ended and balanced using my Westone 4r but I prefer listening balanced. I will get around to understanding this sometime. Right now the sound is more comfortable or right to me. I have played around a little with the bass knob but the position is usually off.
Given the new ALO Rx Mk3 sound profile I now have left the HD25s home. The HD25s just does not rise to the same level as the DT1350 or the 4r using the Mk3 out of the DX100. These are just more enjoyable now. Per a request below I am placing the backside of the first image along side. Both are clickable for viewing in a larger size.
