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Quote:
Hi F.Lo,
1) The preamp output sounds excellent and offers all of the great sonic qualities of the Amphora headphone output. It is also very clean, being on battery power.
2) It really depends on how loud you want to play, what headphones you are using, and the output voltage of your source. For example, you might find setting the volume to MAX on the 0dB setting is as loud as you will want to play. If this is the case, the 0dB setting is preferred (lower gain = lower noise floor). With very sensitive headphones like IEM's, this setting is probably perfect. For headphones that need more gain (and if you are using a source with low output voltage, like the iPod @ 1Vrms), you might need to set the gain to HIGH (12dB).
Even with the same headphones and source, you might find times that you want to use 0dB and times when you want to use 12dB. It really depends on how loud you want to play. This gain switch offers you flexibility in this regard, so please try it both ways.
3) The Amphora is optimal for the iMod because the input already has the dc blocking capacitors (in this case it is a Vcap -- just like in the ALO iMod Vcap dock). The iPod/iMod version of the Amphora also does not require a cable between the iPod/iMod and the amp, so it is the shortest, cleanest path.
4) Ken at ALO Audio is not taking payment at this time, but it taking names for the Amphora wait list. Depending on how everything goes, we hope to be able to start shipping in a few weeks. Production of the enclosures has already started, and all the parts have been ordered. The assmbly is time consuming as there is still a lot of point-to-point wiring inside.
Best regards,
Vinnie
| Originally Posted by fkclo /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hi Ken and Vennie, Have a few questions about Amphora : 1. How does the pre-amp sound ? I do assume it is not the same class as the RWA recent models. The question is how far apart are they ? 2. The Lo-gain is "zero" dB, which apparently means it is unity gain at low setting. While this is good for sensitive IEMs will that also mean the high gain setting will be left to handle all other headphones all the way up to the 600 ohm Beyers ? 3. It was said the Amphora is optimised for the iPod/iMod. Does this mean it is tuned for lower level input from the iPod line out ? I do not plan to use the Amphora mainly for the iPod, instead, I am thinking of using it in conjunction with my Chord QBD76 DAC. Will that become a "sub-optimised" setup as the Chord QBD has a much higher output voltage than the iPod ? 4. And are you taking orders now ? If not, when ? F. Lo |
Hi F.Lo,
1) The preamp output sounds excellent and offers all of the great sonic qualities of the Amphora headphone output. It is also very clean, being on battery power.
2) It really depends on how loud you want to play, what headphones you are using, and the output voltage of your source. For example, you might find setting the volume to MAX on the 0dB setting is as loud as you will want to play. If this is the case, the 0dB setting is preferred (lower gain = lower noise floor). With very sensitive headphones like IEM's, this setting is probably perfect. For headphones that need more gain (and if you are using a source with low output voltage, like the iPod @ 1Vrms), you might need to set the gain to HIGH (12dB).
Even with the same headphones and source, you might find times that you want to use 0dB and times when you want to use 12dB. It really depends on how loud you want to play. This gain switch offers you flexibility in this regard, so please try it both ways.
3) The Amphora is optimal for the iMod because the input already has the dc blocking capacitors (in this case it is a Vcap -- just like in the ALO iMod Vcap dock). The iPod/iMod version of the Amphora also does not require a cable between the iPod/iMod and the amp, so it is the shortest, cleanest path.
4) Ken at ALO Audio is not taking payment at this time, but it taking names for the Amphora wait list. Depending on how everything goes, we hope to be able to start shipping in a few weeks. Production of the enclosures has already started, and all the parts have been ordered. The assmbly is time consuming as there is still a lot of point-to-point wiring inside.
Best regards,
Vinnie
