[zantetsuken]

would this amp be sufficiently powerful enough to drive the HD650s?. and also is it worth going for the 540A instead of the 340A?, any similarly priced amps are most welcome.

btw this will be used in conjunction with the DACmagic.

 

[zantetsuken]

nobody knows?:S..btw sorry if this is a silly question.

 

[intoart]

I am using my 340A to drive DT150s, and I love it! In fact, I ended up selling my I+ because I prefer the 340A sound. Since I barely touch the volume knob, it should work very well with higher impedance cans like HD650.

 

[4lane]

I have the 340A and it drives the 600 ohm AKG k240m's just fine. I think I've read that the 540A and other higher end Cambridge integrated amps have dedicated headphone amp circuitry, whereas the 340A uses resistors, but I haven't listened to the 540A to see if there's any appreciable difference. In any event, I'm happy with the 340A.

 

[zantetsuken]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4lane /img/forum/go_quote.gif I have the 340A and it drives the 600 ohm AKG k240m's just fine. I think I've read that the 540A and other higher end Cambridge integrated amps have dedicated headphone amp circuitry, whereas the 340A uses resistors, but I haven't listened to the 540A to see if there's any appreciable difference. In any event, I'm happy with the 340A.

sweet! thanks

 

[niggle]

I'm confused. 340A is not a headphone amp. Why do you guys not use any dedicated headphone amp for a better result?

 

[intoart]

Read post #3. I did use a dedicated headphone amp (the highly rated Little Dot I+), and I did not get a better result.

This is not a negative comment on the LD, because it is a great amp. The 340A just happens to sound fantastic (though I recommend using it with phones that are above 50 Ohms or so.)

 

[sunseeker888]

Answer: all of the V2 Cambridge amps (540, 640, 740, 840) have a tiny class-a headphone power amp totally seperate from the speaker amp.

I sold my two Little Dots when i got my 640a v2. Great amps.

Word to the wise, and this is only my opinion- Let it burn in. 100 hours.

 

[jacdan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by intoart /img/forum/go_quote.gif Read post #3. I did use a dedicated headphone amp (the highly rated Little Dot I+), and I did not get a better result. This is not a negative comment on the LD, because it is a great amp. The 340A just happens to sound fantastic (though I recommend using it with phones that are above 50 Ohms or so.)

It's similar for me. Some distortion in my 770/80s with the MKV. I'm looking forward to getting my hands on a Cambridge.

EDIT: Turns out distortion wasn't fault of MKV but the 770s, even with driver replacement from beyer. But CA 540 still sounds much better than the MKV.

 

[4lane]

As I noted in my earlier post, I've got the 340A, which unlike the higher-end Cambridge amps doesn't use a separate headphone amplifier circuit, but rather uses resistors. Though I'm happy with the headphone out on the 340A, I'd be interested to know if anybody has compared the headphone outs of the 340A and any of the other Cambridge amps, and can comment on whether there's any sound quality difference.

 

[intoart]

^^^
I prefer not to know that. I love my 340A, and I don't want to be tempted to spend even more $ on an upgrade!

 

[zantetsuken]

yeah this is what im going to be setting up.

foobar->dacmagic->340/540->HD650

i dont know if its worth spending that extra on the 540, unless someone shows me any real reason i think i might just get the 340. it was either that or a WA6+, but cambridge is easier for me to buy. i would have to import the WA6.

 

[jacdan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4lane /img/forum/go_quote.gif As I noted in my earlier post, I've got the 340A, which unlike the higher-end Cambridge amps doesn't use a separate headphone amplifier circuit, but rather uses resistors. Though I'm happy with the headphone out on the 340A, I'd be interested to know if anybody has compared the headphone outs of the 340A and any of the other Cambridge amps, and can comment on whether there's any sound quality difference.

I'll be heading over to my local Cosmophonic Sound to pick up a 540A V2 (most likely) very soon. They also have the 340A, so I'll check both of them to hear if there is any noticeable difference between them. Be warned, I'm not very articulate when it comes to describing sound but I'll try my best.

 

[4lane]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacdan /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'll be heading over to my local Cosmophonic Sound to pick up a 540A V2 (most likely) very soon. They also have the 340A, so I'll check both of them to hear if there is any noticeable difference between them. Be warned, I'm not very articulate when it comes to describing sound but I'll try my best.

Thanks for checking on that. I'll be interested in your conclusions, but afraid of an attack of upgradeitis if you find a real difference.

 

[zantetsuken]

me too. be interested in the impressions.

thanks