[padam]

True, I was mistaken, sorry.

 

[EddieE]

No worries, so going back to my initial point, there is no harm in using balanced outputs to a SE amp?

 

[padam]

Yes, no harm at all.

 

[Cankin]

 
Quote:

Can the preamp handle 600 ohms and 8 ohms headphones? 8 ohms as in vintage full size headphones, power hungry things.

That is a mic preamp
 
Quote:

I was thinking this could be an inexpensive balanced DAC.

As with 0202 and 0404, these are all balanced DAC
 
Quote:

From google image:
 

 
No RCA output at all?

Use TS to RCA adapter, DO NOT USE TRS
 
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10429&cs_id=1042906&p_id=7149&seq=1&format=2
 
Quote:

From what I read 0204 does have balance output with TRS female socket, for example you can use this device with your monitor with these cables http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-HOS-STX1M-LIST

 
See above
 

 

[thuantran]

Thank you, I know that. As my current DAC is unbalanced, I'm using RCA from my DAC to TS plug into my monitors.

 

[infinitesymphony]

Quote:

I was thinking this could be an inexpensive balanced DAC.

Not sure this can operate as a standalone DAC like the 0404 USB can, but the same could be said for the 0404 USB -- it's a ridiculously good value. For the last 2.5 years or so I've been using the balanced outputs of my 0404 USB through some self-made TRS to XLR cables to some active studio monitors and I haven't felt the urge to upgrade yet.

 

[HeatFan12]

This sounds like a great deal.  If it's the same as the 0404USB---
 
 
 
For balanced on the 0404 I use these:
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
For unbalanced these:
 

 
 
Like other posters have stated-  Balanced is TRS, unbalaced is TS.

 

[EddieE]

@ Infinitesymphony
 
Can these E-MU devices not send out a line out signal? Does it always have to be amped signal even from the outputs?

 

[infinitesymphony]

The signal is not amplified, but along those lines, yes, the analog output must always pass through the Main Output volume pot which acts as a signal attenuator. Turning the volume knob all the way up yields +0 dB (no attenuation).
 
Note that I'm speaking only of the 0404 USB. It is the only one of E-MU's interfaces with this volume knob. The other devices including the 0204 have regular line outputs but appear to require a computer in order to function.

 

[endless402]

ppl have to keep in mind that specs are different from sound quality
Good bargain in terms of specs but nowhere in the same league as grace

 

[EddieE]

Quote:

The signal is not amplified, but along those lines, yes, the analog output must always pass through the Main Output volume pot which acts as a signal attenuator. Turning the volume knob all the way up yields +0 dB (no attenuation).
 
Note that I'm speaking only of the 0404 USB. It is the only one of E-MU's interfaces with this volume knob. The other devices including the 0204 have regular line outputs but appear to require a computer in order to function.

 
Ah I see, so you just have to make sure the volume is maxed and it is essentially lineout? That would be no big deal for me. I if I got on of these it would be to have as a dac to another headphone amp.
 
 
 
Quote:

Endless 402
 
ppl have to keep in mind that specs are different from sound quality
 
Good bargain in terms of specs but nowhere in the same league as grace

 
So you've heard both? What are your impressions of the two, how do they compare?

 

[infinitesymphony]

Quote:

Originally Posted by EddieE /img/forum/go_quote.gif

Ah I see, so you just have to make sure the volume is maxed and it is essentially lineout? That would be no big deal for me. I if I got on of these it would be to have as a dac to another headphone amp.

Yes, that's correct. (Though if you are using a computer as your source, you might opt for the 0204 instead.)
 
Quote:

Endless 402
 
ppl have to keep in mind that specs are different from sound quality
 
Good bargain in terms of specs but nowhere in the same league as grace

 
So you've heard both? What are your impressions of the two, how do they compare?"

I think he just meant that it's silly to compare a $129 device with a $1,795 device. One look inside E-MU's equipment shows that the parts are not exotic or boutique. However, for the price, they are tough to beat.

 

[EddieE]

In terms of a headphone amplifier/pre amp I wouldn't bother comparing, but if I am looking for a DAC alone from this, are the AK4396 considered poor DAC chips?

 

[infinitesymphony]

Quote:

In terms of a headphone amplifier/pre amp I wouldn't bother comparing, but if I am looking for a DAC alone from this, are the AK4396 considered poor DAC chips?

AKM AK4396 is one of AKM's flagship chips. It's not the bottleneck in this equipment. My comment about exotic/boutique components refers to the overall complexity of the design, quality and rating of capacitors, the use of op-amps versus discrete circuitry, the quality of those op-amps, etc. Is it worth 14 times the price to gain improvements in those areas? Only your wallet can decide.
 
Basically, the DAC chip used is an important factor in terms of the resulting sound quality, but it is nowhere near the only factor.

 

[EddieE]

I get you, thanks for the advice. Ultimately I don't have a large budget and my current DAC - FiiO E7 - is the weakest link and I do feel the need to replace it soon. Obviously this is not high end equipment, but within my current budget it looks like it could be a decent upgrade anyway.