[PolkManiac]

My amp arrived today, have a quick question.

I know the difference between the transformer and OTL headphone jacks on the front. I have yet to decide which I like, but that's another issue.

The question I have is on the feedback switch. I've done some reading, and found the thread below to be the most helpful, but yet still doesn't fully explain everything.

In the up, or On, position, it's supposed to eliminate feedback (which doesn't make sense because it's the opposite of what you'd think). When I have the Senns plugged into the OTL jack, flipping that switch appears to have no effect. When I have them plugged into the transformer jack, flipping the switch down seems to give me more volume.

Any info is appreciated...

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showth...light=Head+OTL

 

[NiceCans]

I believe by "feedback" they are not referring to audio feedack but the feedback circuit. I cannot explain how this works or exactly what it does, but in concept I beleve it sends a trace signal back into part of the driver circuit to act somewht like a throttle.

That should hold ya for a bit until hopefully someone will be along shortly with the real answer

 

[PolkManiac]

That would be consistent with what I'm hearing, when the witch is down in transformer mode, an considerable increase in volume occurs.

 

[PolkManiac]

Hmmm, but after reading this post, I'm thinking I may have it backwards. The up position is On (like the writing indicates), but the feedback 'on' provides a cleaner sound but at the expense of volume, it's a bit quieter...

I'm so confused...

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showpo...9&postcount=10

 

[Dept_of_Alchemy]

wiki to the rescue: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feedback_amplifier

Feedback makes the amp more linear at the expense of lower volume. Some people enjoy the sound of harmonic distortions from their amp, however, and that's why you get to choose. In some Single Power amps the feedback is even adjustible by a 'texture' knob in the front of the amp, the more feedback the 'harder' the amp sounds, and vise versa.

 

[PolkManiac]

I think I'm understanding it now. I think I like it best with the feedback ON (switch up) in transformer mode, makes no difference in OTL mode.

Thanks for the replies

 

[PolkManiac]

As for OTL vs Transformer modes...

I've found that it depends on the recording itself as to which I choose. For something like Kind of Blue on SACD, I prefer the OTL mode. It seems to give me the most even response across the frequency range with that and many other older jazz recordings.

But for something like Opeth, OTL is just too over the top in the lower frequencies, and I find that I get a much more even frequency response in Transformer mode.

I suppose both headphones and listening material are going to shape one's preference, that's just how I like it with my setup.