Balanced ground Vs. "True" balanced signal path

[pompon]

I have a MPX3 and Dragon from SinglePower. The Dragon DESTROY the MPX3 in every way ...

So yes, you can have a lot better than your MPX3.

 

[rosgr63]

The problem is 307a's may not be so easy to find.

 

[Feanor]

Thanks for the replies.

I'm not looking for another Singlepower amp, it may be understandable why. My questions where regarding the solid state amps that seem to be a good buy nowdays, the audio gd and meier ones.

 

[sokolov91]

Dunno,

Personally I bought a Meier Concerto because when put up against the Burson 160, Goldpoint pro and a few others, it seemed to offer everything and more. I did not compare it to the Audio GD rock, as with the shipping and import duties/taxes it would have been over my budget. After I get a reference 7, I will look into a Phoenix!

I am admittedly a fan of Jans work, but I also think he is extremely modest as well as honest. His pricing is very competitive for what you get.

True Balance>Active Balance>>>SE from what I can gather.

Regardless, the concerto is an excellent sounding amp and handles just about anything extremely well. Read the review thread -many happy owners. Once mine FINALLY arrives, I will post a review and PM you.

 

[rosgr63]

As you are based in EU, you might want to consider RudiStor amps.

 

[Ypoknons]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sokolov91 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I did not compare it to the Audio GD rock, as with the shipping and import duties/taxes it would have been over my budget.

Roc, buddy, the Chinese mythological bird ('peng')

Not rock:

No hate, buddy, just thought it was pretty damn funny. Older Chinese audiophiles tend to be very cultured types, in the sense that they know a lot of flowery expressions, a lot of history (more in the literary sense instead of a academic cause/effect analysis) literature, poetry, fine Chinese arts and that sort of thing.

 

[cooperpwc]

The original question of how balanced ground compares with true balanced is one that interests me too.

 

[EddieE]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cooperpwc /img/forum/go_quote.gif The original question of how balanced ground compares with true balanced is one that interests me too.

Yeah I just read this whole thread hoping there would be an answer to that one to no avail.

For what it's worth I have a Cantate.2 and with my HD650 and MS2i it sounds great and has enough to drive my HP-50S orthos too.

I don't know whether the "active balanced ground" is making a difference, but I know the natural cross feed filter is.

 

[DarKu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pyramid6 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I would pick a better SE amp over a balanced amp.

+ 1

 

[spartan123]

I bought a Meier Concerto also, I am looking for ward to hearing it. My main two amps are both SP. A MPX3 and a PPX3 6SN7.

 

[Feanor]

Quote:

Originally Posted by spartan123 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I bought a Meier Concerto also, I am looking for ward to hearing it. My main two amps are both SP. A MPX3 and a PPX3 6SN7.

I'd be interested in your opinions about the sound compared to an mpx3, when the time comes.

 

[Feanor]

Seems like SkyLab has a beyer 880-600 wired for balanced operation, AND both the phoenix and the concerto, I'll bug him a bit in PM.

 

[Leny]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pabbi1 /img/forum/go_quote.gif No mistake. Period. ...but, there are better tubes for headphones, like the 307a.

You have formed an opinion based upon extremely limited samples (... a sample of one, it would seem). That is too few samples to draw an accurate conclusion, and hence no more than an opinion regarding that instance. That instance can not be generalised into representing every 300B amplifier, yet you do so willingly. Many people do that and then spread their opinion as if it is fact.

The actual facts are that the 300B and (triode-connected) 307A both have decent anode characteristic curves, yet the 300B has *much* lower internal impedance. It really is a good tube for audio applications if it is used correctly. Your opinion based on one (or very few) amplifier samples does not change the facts.

Oh well, I wish you well in your headphone amp adventures.


Quote:

Originally Posted by pabbi1 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Don't care anyway - I am not a fan of $200+ (or more) tubes.

Yes, I fully agree that the 300B price is high these days. (Also, the 307A is difficult to source).



So, jumping back to the opening post: my DIY experiences suggest that the best performance gain is from splitting the grounds both before and after the connector (i.e. not using a TRS jack anymore), and running the grounds directly back to the power supply central ground point. I hope that commercial amps with XLR connectors do that. So far I’ve found that bridged amps have no practical advantages in headphone land over well designed conventional (un-bridged) amplifiers that have split grounds. So my opinion is that split ground = advantage, and bridged amplifiers = good marketing for amp companies!

Take care,
L.

 

[pabbi1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leny /img/forum/go_quote.gif You have formed an opinion based upon extremely limited samples (... a sample of one, it would seem). That is too few samples to draw an accurate conclusion, and hence no more than an opinion regarding that instance. That instance can not be generalised into representing every 300B amplifier, yet you do so willingly. Many people do that and then spread their opinion as if it is fact.

There are no facts on HF. Only opinions, and everyone has (at least) a different one.

Perhaps you can share some *actual* 300b amps that can help broaden the data points? Have you ever actually heard a 300b amp with headphones?

Otherwise, just another 'From what I have READ post', standing behind the thin veneer of a datasheet. Statistical sampling methods don't exactly work in the limited populations of headphone amps.

All apologies that I was only able to listen to the ONLY 300b headphone amp that I am aware of that actually exists. Side by side, from the same top designer, the 307a made the 300b taste like a turd sandwich. And, neither sound as good as my stat rig, so, it is all relative.

Sorry guys, about your quest for balanced / bridged / differential / grounded balanced (phase split) questions. There is NO easy answer, and you simply have to think of it as a journey, not a destination. EVERY amp has tradeoffs, and you simply have to find that yourself. Get out and listen is the ONLY answer, and don't be swayed by hyperbole and post count. It is what you hear that matters.

 

[Junliang]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pyramid6 /img/forum/go_quote.gif To me the WooAudio WA6 sounded better than the LD VII+. I would pick a better SE amp over a balanced amp.

What gears were you using during the comparison ?

did you compare wa6 in SE mode vs mk7 in balanced mode or just wa6 SE vs mk7 SE