Balanced Mini^3

Oct 11, 2007 at 6:17 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 43

antonyfirst

Headphoneus Supremus
Joined
Dec 14, 2006
Posts
4,053
Likes
67
Location
Milan
I'm very interested in trying a balanced Mini^3. Who can I ask to build on? Would MisterX or Rockhopper accept such an order? It should have a single volume pot, single case and a bigger battery compared to stock Mini3.
It could be my first step in a balanced rig.
 
Oct 11, 2007 at 6:46 PM Post #2 of 43
The single pot alone is going to be problematic: you need a 4-deck pot for a single balanced volume control which aren't small. Battery is going to get a fair bit larger. Doesn't seem to make the cost/benefit argument to me. What made you decide to pursue this?
 
Oct 11, 2007 at 7:14 PM Post #5 of 43
Sure - he wants balanced at a bargain basement price - sounds like a neat idea.

I think the other guys are right. Learning to live with independent volume controls for each ear appears to be fairly typical with balanced operation.
 
Oct 11, 2007 at 8:29 PM Post #6 of 43
Hi guys,

Thanks for the inputs. My idea is to build a balanced HD600 or HD650 rig. I've read that the Mini^3 should synergize very well with these headphones. Like tomb said, it would be a nice sounding balanced rig at a bargain price.
 
Oct 11, 2007 at 8:33 PM Post #7 of 43
Cheap quad pot?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ALPS-Quad-Pote...QQcmdZViewItem

Thank me later
biggrin.gif
 
Oct 11, 2007 at 8:40 PM Post #8 of 43
Familygate is well known around these parts. MisterX pointed them out in a similar thread months ago. But, your link is still a good one. I've used them several times now and had nothing but good experiences.
 
Oct 11, 2007 at 8:59 PM Post #10 of 43
I've been convinced that a single volume pot isn't necessary. So, until now I could ask to MisterX or Rockhopper. Anyone else? I will contact them to see if the balanced Mini^3 will become reality!
smily_headphones1.gif
 
Oct 11, 2007 at 9:09 PM Post #11 of 43
I have balanced Mini^3 with two independent volume pod. I matched the volume to my liking and cased it in an old X-Can V2 enclosure. It has 4pin XLR headphone plug. it's powered by 12vDC SLA battery that lasts for very long time. I don't turn it off at all. Surprisingly, it sounds very good, especially considering the price.

I also have a balanced cMoy...for fun
wink.gif
It's also powered by 12vDC SLA battery, 3pin XLR balanced input, and 4pin balanced XLR headphone plug. Again, for the money it sounds very good
biggrin.gif


Picture of Balanced cMoy in "AmpBox"
7e4e2509vo4.jpg


Balanced Mini^3 in X-Can V2 case
7e4e2511wo9.jpg
 
Oct 11, 2007 at 9:20 PM Post #12 of 43
Beautiful. How much did it cost you? How much does the battery last?

Can you elaborate more about the sound? How big is the improvement over the balanced cmoy? And how short does it fall compared to your balanced CIAudio VHP2?

Thanks in advance.
 
Oct 11, 2007 at 10:35 PM Post #13 of 43
Oct 11, 2007 at 10:38 PM Post #14 of 43
Sorry to say that the balanced Mini3 doesn't make too much sense to me...
wink.gif


Balanced Mini3 is not mini any more, plus balanced source and headphone, no need to mention "portable".
 
Oct 11, 2007 at 10:45 PM Post #15 of 43
Thank you.

The most expensive part on my cMoy is the enclosure considering the actual cost. I originally had it as passive preamp made by Art at ambox (http://mywebpages.comcast.net/ampbox/page5.html). It's polished block of aluminum and his work is stunning. The cmoy and mini^3 amps were made by John (aka blackinches). cMoys are less than $100 and case is (cough!!) $300. The two populated mini^3 boards cost <$200. The assembly and cabling I did it. I never drained the SLA battery...typically, I just change the battery every 2 weeks or so. I have a spared SLA battery that I have charged that I rotate.

Sound wise, it has the basic characteristic of most balanced system. It's background is absolutely pitch black...like blackhole. Soundstage is wide. Bass extends lower and treble is also extended with very nice mids. Most surprising thing is micro detail can be heard easily because layers of music can be heard more easily. I guess it's another way of saying 3D sounding.

As I move up to Mini^3, the soundstage increase and micro details are even more present. When I moved up to VHP2/VAC combo, the soundstage and micro detail is even increased further with very nice mids.

I use electronica genre with balanced cMoy. Balanced Mini^3 is used to hear Rock and pop. Balanced VHP2/VAC is used to listen to Jazz, orchestra, and more mature music
wink.gif


Keep in mind, you need to ask the builder to set the gain to lowest possible. Gain of 2 or 3 is good range for even high impedance cans In balanced mode, the gain doubles.

I made the balanced cMoy and balanced Mini^3 to prove myself mega $$$$ is not needed to make a nice sounding, good for the wallet, simple balanced rig. I would put more $$$ towards better source and decent cans.


Quote:

Originally Posted by antonyfirst /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Beautiful. How much did it cost you? How much does the battery last?

Can you elaborate more about the sound? How big is the improvement over the balanced cmoy? And how short does it fall compared to your balanced CIAudio VHP2?

Thanks in advance.



 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top