[blessingx]

An ART is on the way and I wondered if anyone has this paired with a Meta. If so, what opamps and what do you think about the synergy between the two?

 

[Sean H]

You have any plans to mod the hot 7 volt output? With your Grado's and your Meta you are likely going to find that you will be at ear bleeding levels with just a hairs turn of the volume dial!!

I've owned three Art's in my time, two of them modified to a 2 volt output and the third unmodified but I used a pair of Bolder IC's with a built in resistor pad network that knocked the voltage down.

I've got lots of questions for you in your last PM I'll be sending.

 

[blessingx]

Please educate me!

Any ignorance shown in my PM is... well, unfortunately accurate.

Still much I don't know about the ART.

 

[Sean H]

Ha!

You know a lot more about the computer stuff than I do and thats what my questions are about.

The Art DI/O, as you likely know, is intended for use in the Pro Audio industry and in that industry it's very common that digital gear like the Art to have the 7 volt output. Most digital pieces in our little hobby, like common CD players and DAC's, use a 2 volt output. There is a way to go into the Art and modify the high output by changing some resistors but I have not done this myself so I'd defer you to the expertise of others if you decided to do that. Basically with the 7 volt output in laymen's terms means the volume of the output will be VERY LOUD!! It's manageable, it's not ike you are not going to be able to use the Art or anything but your volume steps will likely be significantly foreshortened. I remember with my 7 volt Art I used in a speaker system that by 9 o'clock on the dial I was hitting volumes I was getting with another CD player (with a 2 volt output) at about 11 o'clock or so. I remember to fine tune volumes inbetween loud and soft required just barely touching the volume dial!

If you can perform any mods to Art, you yourself or have someone do it for you, I'd suggest it! This DAC can sound quite good when fully modified. Not to mention the convenience some simple mods can get you like putting RCA jacks in and taking out the 1/4" jacks and reducing that output. I'd also suggest investing in the Stancor wall wart power supply instead of using the stock unit, it makes for a nice improvement. I got one for around $30 a couple years ago at Radio Shack but I am not sure if they carry it anymore and who in fact does now. I'd ask around on that one.

 

[lan]

The also have inline attenuators. But you'd need to go...

RCA-RCA -> attenuator -> RCA - 1/4" mono

http://headphone.com/layout.php?topicID=3&subTopicID=31

I can't find the link to the cheaper ones now... :/

 

[Sean H]

Quote:

Originally posted by lan The also have inline attenuators. But you'd need to go... RCA-RCA -> attenuator -> RCA - 1/4" mono http://headphone.com/layout.php?topicID=3&subTopicID=31 I can't find the link to the cheaper ones now... :/

Good point, lan! Almost forgot that option. That's a lot of "stuff" in the signal path but it's very convenient.

 

[lan]

Yeah it's convenient and you can upgrade one step at a time.

I used to have the bolder Type II cable w/ built in attenuator RCA -> 1/4" but that isn't so convenient because it's not really useful as RCA to RCA so that's why RCA -> RCA/1/4" adaptor is nice to have. As for quality degrading, it's so negligible plus there are more important things to worry about quality wise than RCA adaptor.r

 

[andrzejpw]

I have both an art and a meta. Although I don't have time now to elaborate on the sound(its quite good), I can add a bit about the hot output of the art. With the meta, it can be quite a problem. There is absolutely no room for volume adjustment. Its a bit of an art (no pun) keeping the alps pot in between steps. One step is too low, while the other is too high. Attenuating the output would help.

 

[AdamZuf]

nobody here talks about how it sounds?

BTW, did anyone tried to see if ART DI/O->META42->K-1000 works???

my porta corda can handle the ART output with no problem at all, with the DT880 i have to go up to 02:30 if zero volume is 00:00

i think it will be able to drive the K-1000, but probably the expensive META's will beat it for sound quality...

 

[andrzejpw]

No, the meta would not be willing to drive the k1000s; at least not to reasonable levels. Theres a reason they're terminated with speaker cables.

 

[AdamZuf]

oh i see

andrzejpw, did you do other mods except the PS?

 

[Sean H]

Quote:

Originally posted by andrzejpw No, the meta would not be willing to drive the k1000s; at least not to reasonable levels. Theres a reason they're terminated with speaker cables.

I think he was thinking maybe the extreme output of the Art would allow the Meta/Art combo to drive the K1000. The answer is still no, as it would still be lacking *current* (beyond the high voltage) to drive them properly.