Amp considerations for JH16

[kalkain]

Hi guys
 
My current set up is an iPod Touch 3G -> Predator -> Jh16

I just got a pay raise, and coupled with my accumulated savings, i was wondering if i should start looking around and trying out something new. I love my jh16's and predator to bits, but have become very very intrigued by the XM6 from practical devices. It seemed to be choked full of useful and interesting stuff, and i wanted to give it a go. Was wondering if any of you guys got any advice to give?

My main question really, is trying to match the impedance of the amp and iem. The 16's have an impedance of 18Ohms and sensitivity of 118dB, which goes nicely with the predator's output impedance of 5-300Ohms. The XM6 on the other hand, start off at 24Ohms and goes to 300.
 
What is the effect of the relatively high output impedance on low impedance headphones? 
 
Hope to hear from you guys!
 
Thank you!

 

[justin w.]

Quote:

Hi guys
 
My current set up is an iPod Touch 3G -> Predator -> Jh16

I just got a pay raise, and coupled with my accumulated savings, i was wondering if i should start looking around and trying out something new. I love my jh16's and predator to bits, but have become very very intrigued by the XM6 from practical devices. It seemed to be choked full of useful and interesting stuff, and i wanted to give it a go. Was wondering if any of you guys got any advice to give?

My main question really, is trying to match the impedance of the amp and iem. The 16's have an impedance of 18Ohms and sensitivity of 118dB, which goes nicely with the predator's output impedance of 5-300Ohms. The XM6 on the other hand, start off at 24Ohms and goes to 300.
 
What is the effect of the relatively high output impedance on low impedance headphones? 
 
Hope to hear from you guys!
 
Thank you!

 
"5 to 300 ohms" or "24 to 300 ohms" aren't the output impedances of those amps.  It sounds like those are simply the range of headphone impedances the manufacturers are recommending.  And they look like arbitrary numbers that have no meaning. JH16s are extremely sensitive IEMs and no portable amp should have a problem with their low impedance.  The output impedance of both amps at JH16 driving levels is likely a fraction of 1-ohm because they are op-amp based, as are 99% of portable amps.

 

[kalkain]

AH. I see. Looks like i still got a long way to go when it comes to learning about the technical side of audiophilia. Thanks for your answer though. So in essence, it doesn't really matter what the stated output impedance is?

 

[justin w.]

From the XM6 web page: Output impedance - switchable between 0 ohms and 75 ohms

 

[Bananaheadlin]

Been a while, but what did you end up getting?