I think the line out functionality is an important caveat.
I'm also feeding the Gremlin with the R4. I could be crazy, but I accidentally started playing music in phone out mode, realized it, and the sonic improvement as soon as I changed to line out mode was dramatic.
According to the R4 thread some amplification circuits are bypassed in line out mode, though I wish they were more explicit about what exactly changes.
Worth noting the R4 does NOT play well in USB-DAC mode with a gaming PC, in my experience. I heard USB noise I've never encountered with my desktop setup or other portable devices (the Fiio KA17, in particular, which has similar power output to the R4).
I think the line out functionality is an important caveat.
I'm also feeding the Gremlin with the R4. I could be crazy, but I accidentally started playing music in phone out mode, realized it, and the sonic improvement as soon as I changed to line out mode was dramatic.
According to the R4 thread some amplification circuits are bypassed in line out mode, though I wish they were more explicit about what exactly changes.
Worth noting the R4 does NOT play well in USB-DAC mode with a gaming PC, in my experience. I heard USB noise I've never encountered with my desktop setup or other portable devices (the Fiio KA17, in particular, which has similar power output to the R4).
If I'm not mistaken, line out increases voltage, at least it does on my Kann Ultra, as well as the Q15 - I nearly blew out my eardrums forgetting to reset it to PO on the Q15 before listening to IEMs.
If I'm not mistaken, line out increases voltage, at least it does on my Kann Ultra, as well as the Q15 - I nearly blew out my eardrums forgetting to reset it to PO on the Q15 before listening to IEMs.
Correct. Line-out is typically full voltage. The volume pot is bypassed (and potentially other circuits). The volume pot can only attenuate voltage/gain.
Many of the 6189 series are quite nice. Some can bit bright/harsh depending on the rest of the chain though. Leave them powered on, ideally playing, for a couple days straight or more before judging them. They were built to Joint Army Navy specs...JAN. Sylvania made gobs of them too.
1950-60s made for Conn, Hammond and Baldwin organ makers are similar and also still plentiful.
Many of the 6189 series are quite nice. Some can bit bright/harsh depending on the rest of the chain though. Leave them powered on, ideally playing, for a couple days straight or more before judging them. They were built to Joint Army Navy specs...JAN. Sylvania made gobs of them too.
1950-60s made for Conn, Hammond and Baldwin organ makers are similar and also still plentiful.
Agreed. It's way more brighter than the Cores, Gold Lions, and WE396A (best tubes, imho). Almost sibilant when listening to one of my favorite female vocal tracks. I am going to give it some burn in time over the weekend and see if calms down the harshness.
I tried the Mullard tubes as recommended in this forum.
The sound change was subtle but definitely better, and I love it.
Thank you for your good advice!
I tried the Mullard tubes as recommended in this forum.
The sound change was subtle but definitely better, and I love it.
Thank you for your good advice!
I have tried multiple ones from ranging from 8ohm to 32ohms. I have no noise hiss, hum or background noise with my IEMs even when I turn it to max volume with nothing playing, its dead quiet. Mind you I have my connected to a True Sine Wave UPS to give it decently clean power.
I have tried multiple ones from ranging from 8ohm to 32ohms. I have no noise hiss, hum or background noise with my IEMs even when I turn it to max volume with nothing playing, its dead quiet. Mind you I have my connected to a True Sine Wave UPS to give it decently clean power.
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