TravelLite
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Aug 25, 2002
- Posts
- 376
- Likes
- 11
System:
Source: Cary CD-308 CD player
Amplifier: AudioValve RKV Mk II
Headphones: Beyerdynamic DT770 PRO, DT880, DT990 PRO
[size=xx-small] Quote:
[/size]
As shown above, the CROSS-1 and two pairs of Meier-Audio 0.635-meter interconnects replaced one pair of Outlaw PCA 1.8-meter interconnects in the system. As a passive device, the CROSS-1 doesn't require a power supply.
A description of the CROSS-1, along with specifications and photos can be found in the amplifier section at the Meier-Audio website.
Just for fun I'm posting in a Q&A format. But please keep in mind that I'm the only one that's actually talking here, LOL.
Q: How large is the CROSS-1?
A: About 4.3 inches (10.9 cm) side-to-side, 5.1 inches (13.0 cm) front-to-back, and 1.7 inches (4.3 cm) tall.
__________________
Q: That's quite small. Do those measurements include the knob extensions and large rubber feet?
A: Yes. The entire unit, minus cable connections of course, could easily fit in the volume of five CD jewel cases stacked one on top the other.
__________________
Q: And the weight?
A: About 0.6 pounds (0.27 kg).
__________________
Q: Does its light weight make the CROSS-1 somewhat difficult to operate or physically situate in a system?
A: Perhaps a little bit. The soft rubber feet do a good job of gripping the surface they're resting on. But it is necessary to have several inches of level surface behind the CROSS-1 in order to support the weight of the interconnects.
__________________
Q: How is the overall build quality?
A: First-rate, nice fit and finish.
__________________
Q: Is there any audible snap, crackle, or pop when operating the unit's controls?
A: No, none at all.
__________________
Q: BTW, does the CROSS-1 run warm during use?
A: No.
__________________
Q: What everyone wants to know is, does the CROSS-1 degrade the sound quality in any way by virtue of placing additional components in the signal path?
A: No, certainly not in my system. In fact, while in stereo (bypass) mode, the sound's frequency range, resolution, and dynamics are every bit as good or better as when running the signal straight through one pair of Outlaw PCA ICs.
__________________
Q: What about when crossfeed is engaged?
A: Obviously crossfeed changes the nature of stereo sound, but I can't detect any loss in quality.
__________________
Q: Are you really certain about this? BTW, what's the analog output voltage of your CD player?
A: Yes, it's something I've listened for closely over a number of days and with music I'm familiar with. The player's output is rated at 3.0 volts RMS.
__________________
Q: So, is this some kind of oblique indictment against the Outlaw PCA interconnects?
A: No, not at all.
__________________
Q: Well then, how do you account for your statement that the sound is "every bit as good or better as when running the signal straight through one pair of Outlaw PCA ICs."?
A: For crying out loud, how the duce do I know! Look, all I can do is describe what I'm hearing on my system.
__________________
Q: Okay. How do you like the CROSS-1's crossfeed?
A: Great. Between the three levels of crossfeed, six levels of bass correction, and six levels of treble correction, there's a lot of scope for user customization.
__________________
Q: I appreciate that, but how does the crossfeed actually sound?
A: Very good, very natural. It's well implemented and executed. The low setting is quite subtle indeed, while the high setting is very obvious. I think that the optimum crossfeed setting is really best determined by the unique recording and production values of whatever CD happens to be playing.
__________________
Q: I understand that when crossfeed is engaged, the signal is attenuated on the order of 2.3 decibels. Is that accurate?
A: Yes. For a thorough explanation it's definitely worthwhile reading the CROSS-1 PDF manual posted on the Meier-Audio website. Basically, the attenuation just means that you need to turn your amp's volume up a little louder in order to compensate.
__________________
Q: Regarding the bass and treble correction controls, can these be used as one would use tone controls or an equalizer?
A: In a fashion I suppose, although their range isn't huge. They're really intended to gently shape the sound to the individual user's amp and source when crossfeed is on. Specifically, the bass control setting is related to the input impedance of the user's amp, while the treble control setting is related to the output impedance of the user's source. Again, the PDF manual covers this in good detail.
__________________
Q: BTW, do the bass and treble controls function when the CROSS-1 is in stereo (bypass) mode?
A: No.
__________________
Q: Do you have any comments regarding crossfeed and specific headphones you've used?
A: Yes, the biggest overall improvement in sound goes to the closed DT770. It's really very dramatic. I suspect this would probably hold true for most closed headphones in general. Naturally, the DT880 and DT990 benefit as well. To what degree really just depends on the particular recording being played.
__________________
Q: Would you recommend the CROSS-1 to others?
A: The fact is, not everyone enjoys crossfeed. But if they currently lack crossfeed and want to add it to their system, then definitely. Of course, all things being equal, users should have an amp with a little extra horsepower in order to cope with the CROSS-1's signal attenuation.
Many Head-Fi members are already very familiar with HeadRoom and Meier crossfeed. Other folks should just be aware that crossfeed isn't intended to function like some kind of software DSP with wild echo or reverb effects, LOL. Personally, I think of crossfeed as a subtle way of making a headphone system sound a little more like a conventional stereo speaker system.
__________________
Q: Well okay, thanks for your time.
A: Sure, you're welcome.
__________________
TravelLite
Source: Cary CD-308 CD player
Amplifier: AudioValve RKV Mk II
Headphones: Beyerdynamic DT770 PRO, DT880, DT990 PRO
[size=xx-small] Quote:
[/size]
As shown above, the CROSS-1 and two pairs of Meier-Audio 0.635-meter interconnects replaced one pair of Outlaw PCA 1.8-meter interconnects in the system. As a passive device, the CROSS-1 doesn't require a power supply.
A description of the CROSS-1, along with specifications and photos can be found in the amplifier section at the Meier-Audio website.
Just for fun I'm posting in a Q&A format. But please keep in mind that I'm the only one that's actually talking here, LOL.
Q: How large is the CROSS-1?
A: About 4.3 inches (10.9 cm) side-to-side, 5.1 inches (13.0 cm) front-to-back, and 1.7 inches (4.3 cm) tall.
__________________
Q: That's quite small. Do those measurements include the knob extensions and large rubber feet?
A: Yes. The entire unit, minus cable connections of course, could easily fit in the volume of five CD jewel cases stacked one on top the other.
__________________
Q: And the weight?
A: About 0.6 pounds (0.27 kg).
__________________
Q: Does its light weight make the CROSS-1 somewhat difficult to operate or physically situate in a system?
A: Perhaps a little bit. The soft rubber feet do a good job of gripping the surface they're resting on. But it is necessary to have several inches of level surface behind the CROSS-1 in order to support the weight of the interconnects.
__________________
Q: How is the overall build quality?
A: First-rate, nice fit and finish.
__________________
Q: Is there any audible snap, crackle, or pop when operating the unit's controls?
A: No, none at all.
__________________
Q: BTW, does the CROSS-1 run warm during use?
A: No.
__________________
Q: What everyone wants to know is, does the CROSS-1 degrade the sound quality in any way by virtue of placing additional components in the signal path?
A: No, certainly not in my system. In fact, while in stereo (bypass) mode, the sound's frequency range, resolution, and dynamics are every bit as good or better as when running the signal straight through one pair of Outlaw PCA ICs.
__________________
Q: What about when crossfeed is engaged?
A: Obviously crossfeed changes the nature of stereo sound, but I can't detect any loss in quality.
__________________
Q: Are you really certain about this? BTW, what's the analog output voltage of your CD player?
A: Yes, it's something I've listened for closely over a number of days and with music I'm familiar with. The player's output is rated at 3.0 volts RMS.
__________________
Q: So, is this some kind of oblique indictment against the Outlaw PCA interconnects?
A: No, not at all.
__________________
Q: Well then, how do you account for your statement that the sound is "every bit as good or better as when running the signal straight through one pair of Outlaw PCA ICs."?
A: For crying out loud, how the duce do I know! Look, all I can do is describe what I'm hearing on my system.
__________________
Q: Okay. How do you like the CROSS-1's crossfeed?
A: Great. Between the three levels of crossfeed, six levels of bass correction, and six levels of treble correction, there's a lot of scope for user customization.
__________________
Q: I appreciate that, but how does the crossfeed actually sound?
A: Very good, very natural. It's well implemented and executed. The low setting is quite subtle indeed, while the high setting is very obvious. I think that the optimum crossfeed setting is really best determined by the unique recording and production values of whatever CD happens to be playing.
__________________
Q: I understand that when crossfeed is engaged, the signal is attenuated on the order of 2.3 decibels. Is that accurate?
A: Yes. For a thorough explanation it's definitely worthwhile reading the CROSS-1 PDF manual posted on the Meier-Audio website. Basically, the attenuation just means that you need to turn your amp's volume up a little louder in order to compensate.
__________________
Q: Regarding the bass and treble correction controls, can these be used as one would use tone controls or an equalizer?
A: In a fashion I suppose, although their range isn't huge. They're really intended to gently shape the sound to the individual user's amp and source when crossfeed is on. Specifically, the bass control setting is related to the input impedance of the user's amp, while the treble control setting is related to the output impedance of the user's source. Again, the PDF manual covers this in good detail.
__________________
Q: BTW, do the bass and treble controls function when the CROSS-1 is in stereo (bypass) mode?
A: No.
__________________
Q: Do you have any comments regarding crossfeed and specific headphones you've used?
A: Yes, the biggest overall improvement in sound goes to the closed DT770. It's really very dramatic. I suspect this would probably hold true for most closed headphones in general. Naturally, the DT880 and DT990 benefit as well. To what degree really just depends on the particular recording being played.
__________________
Q: Would you recommend the CROSS-1 to others?
A: The fact is, not everyone enjoys crossfeed. But if they currently lack crossfeed and want to add it to their system, then definitely. Of course, all things being equal, users should have an amp with a little extra horsepower in order to cope with the CROSS-1's signal attenuation.
Many Head-Fi members are already very familiar with HeadRoom and Meier crossfeed. Other folks should just be aware that crossfeed isn't intended to function like some kind of software DSP with wild echo or reverb effects, LOL. Personally, I think of crossfeed as a subtle way of making a headphone system sound a little more like a conventional stereo speaker system.
__________________
Q: Well okay, thanks for your time.
A: Sure, you're welcome.
__________________
TravelLite
