[Andykong]

How does using RCA vs XLR inputs from the DAC change the power you're getting? Is there a limit of what voltage can go into the HA-300 before distortion creeps in? For the Chord HUGO TT2, what's safe and useable based on their chart here?

So the maximum output of Hugo TT2 is 3V single-ended and 5V balanced in regardless of Amp mode or DAC mode, in this case, they are all safe and useable with HA-6A or HA-300.

 

[ThanatosVI]

Wow - I just checked with two dealers and it is exactly as you say. Remarkable, that makes the HA-6a quite attractive. If that for me can overcome the myth that is the 300b remains to be seen. Have you heard both before buying ThanatosVI?

No I did not, the fact that the Ha-300 costs twice as much made the decision easy at that time

 

[jambaj0e]

So the maximum output of Hugo TT2 is 3V single-ended and 5V balanced in regardless of Amp mode or DAC mode, in this case, they are all safe and useable with HA-6A or HA-300.

Actually, I'm not sure if this only pertains to when driving speakers, vs when you're Amp mode going to another Amp. What do you think @Andykong ?

 

[Andykong]

According to Chord's description, Amp mode is equivalent to variable output of Pre-amp from traditional HiFi music system. I can only tell from specification that 3V Single-ended and 5V Balanced are safe for HA-300 or HA-6A, I can't tell whether it'll sound better then DAC mode, you have to try it out yourselves.

The problem is double amping and double volume control when connecting HA-300 in Amp mode, and that will introduce endless combination when you explore them as a system. For instance, you can fix the HA-300 volume knob at 12, 1, 2, 3 o'clock position, and then turn up the volume of TT2 from 0 gradually, and then fixed the volume output of TT2 to -20 or -10, and turn up the volume of HA-300 gradually.

 

[rulerofrecords]

No I did not, the fact that the Ha-300 costs twice as much made the decision easy at that time

hard to argue with that

 

[Sampajanna]

I have mscaler/TT2. I have found for most headphones, preamp volume on TT2 and HA300 at 12oclock is best IMO

 

[Sampajanna]

Also, just got those Tung Sol 6F8G. So far loving it. it is tight. Soundstage seems reduced. But everything is clean. Letting them warm up and get some run in.... As of now, they are the best drivers I have had in the amp thus far. Thanks so much for the recommendation!

 

[Sampajanna]

With my Utopia, the Dac mode on the TT2 is already very loud at the lowest step on the HA-300 even set to low impedence "L," so with these headphones at least, using the preamp mode on the TT2 is necessary--no choice.

 

[Andykong]

With my Utopia, the Dac mode on the TT2 is already very loud at the lowest step on the HA-300 even set to low impedence "L," so with these headphones at least, using the preamp mode on the TT2 is necessary--no choice.

I am also a bit peculiar with the output level of TT2 at DAC mode. I believe 2V single-ended and 4V Balance is the de facto level among recording and home audio equipments, but Chord decided to raise the bar to 2.5V and 5V.

 

[Sampajanna]

I rolled some EML 300b tubes and no sound came out and now when I went back to stock also no sound.... Any ideas? tubes all light up but no sound

 

[Sampajanna]

It is also making a different sound when it shuts off (clicking)... Did these tubes break my amp? The friend that loaned them to me said they were suitable.... They say "300B" on them as well.

 

[Sampajanna]

Was just a fuse.... phew.... Maybe these EML are defective

 

[Level5]

Was just a fuse.... phew.... Maybe these EML are defective

Was this the Mesh? Not sure what specs the HA300 runs on...

Per EML recommendation:
http://www.emissionlabs.com/datasheets/EML300B-mesh.html

To replace a 300B by the EML 300B-Mesh, be sure the wire mesh tube is run at following conditions:

Recommended: 22Wat Anode dissipation.
Absolute maximum: 28 Watt Anode dissipation. Please note, this is a lot less than with standard 300B, which has 40 Watt absolute maximum.

A normal 300B amplifier runs normally at 26....36 Watt plate dissipation. And some abnormal products run it above 36 Watt. Without measurement, you can not know where you are on this scale from 26...36. So suppose it was 26Watt or even less, you could plug&play the EML 300B-Mesh. On the other hand, at 36Watt, this would damage the EML 300B-Mesh by just plugging it in. So this is needing very good attention.

 

[wazzupi]

Yes and no, it depends on the impedance setting, since we are discussing the different between speaker output at 8 ohm and low impedance setting (64ohm and below), the balanced output deliver more power then the single-ended output. I have provided the rest of the table for your reference.

so using mid or high on xlr or SE for lets say a h6se or D8000pro isn't ideal ? even though it seems to provide more power ?!?

 

[wazzupi]

so I have a blur b2 bomber Dac which has output level selector and it actually increases/decreases volume (it sounds like adding/subtracting Gain) I find this a little odd that a Dac can provide loudness to the sound ? It would be interesting to know how that works in more detail.