[DisalvoA992]

Alright Ichos, what does the other stuff represent on the dual Mentor picture? On each Mentor unit, one channel each of amplification along with each of its pathways of power supplies/internals go to the + and - pins of the one 3-pin XLR output?

 

[Ichos]

@DisalvoA992

Each triangle is a power amplifier. Let's start by reminding that the Mentor is a dual mono amplifier and not balanced. It accepts single ended and balanced inputs and delivers a single ended output. The 4-pin XLR plug is for convenience. Not balanced output.

So in a single Mentor you have left and right channels amplifiers each one with its own transformer and power supply.

Dual Mentors are a fully balanced configuration.
One Mentor is the amplifier of the left channel and the other of the right in a balanced mode. So we have four power amplifiers. (Four triangles)

Left Mentor amplifies L+ and L-. Right Mentor amplifies R+ and R-. Each component of the stereo signal has its own transformer and power supply. Four of them as a whole.

Left Mentor delivers L+, L- and ground in a 3-pin XLR plug. Right Mentor delivers R+, R- and ground in a 3-pin XLR plug.

 

[ThanatosVI]

@DisalvoA992

Each triangle is a power amplifier. Let's start by reminding that the Mentor is a dual mono amplifier and not balanced. It accepts single ended and balanced inputs and delivers a single ended output. The 4-pin XLR plug is for convenience. Not balanced output.

So in a single Mentor you have left and right channels amplifiers each one with its own transformer and power supply.

Dual Mentors are a fully balanced configuration.
One Mentor is the amplifier of the left channel and the other of the right in a balanced mode. So we have four power amplifiers. (Four triangles)

Left Mentor amplifies L+ and L-. Right Mentor amplifies R+ and R-. Each component of the stereo signal has its own transformer and power supply. Four of them as a whole.

One would require very special cables to run the dual mono configuration

Would you always have to turn both volume knobs simultaneously when you want to change volume?

 

[Ichos]

One would require very special cables to run the dual mono configuration

Would you always have to turn both volume knobs simultaneously when you want to change volume?

The volume is synchronized from what I know. Master Mentor does the volume adjustment.

 

[Ichos]

Cable example for dual mono Mentor set-up.

 

[DisalvoA992]

Jesus Christ so I was right then? Each bank of power supply path (4 in total) to one signal each (4 in total, L+, L-, R+, R-) for the 3-pin XLRs. Flux is getting ~$3000 from me after I recoup sometime.

 

[Ichos]

Jesus Christ so I was right then? Each bank of power supply path (4 in total) to one signal each (4 in total, L+, L-, R+, R-) for the 3-pin XLRs. Flux is getting ~$3000 from me after I recoup sometime.

Yes, that's right!

 

[ThanatosVI]

Cable example for dual mono Mentor set-up.

Ah I somehow missed that the 6.3mm output is simultaneously a 3 pin XLR


I was like "4 pin XLR for mono? How is the pinout?"

 

[Shane D]

@DisalvoA992

Each triangle is a power amplifier. Let's start by reminding that the Mentor is a dual mono amplifier and not balanced. It accepts single ended and balanced inputs and delivers a single ended output. The 4-pin XLR plug is for convenience. Not balanced output.

So in a single Mentor you have left and right channels amplifiers each one with its own transformer and power supply.

Dual Mentors are a fully balanced configuration.
One Mentor is the amplifier of the left channel and the other of the right in a balanced mode. So we have four power amplifiers. (Four triangles)

Left Mentor amplifies L+ and L-. Right Mentor amplifies R+ and R-. Each component of the stereo signal has its own transformer and power supply. Four of them as a whole.

Left Mentor delivers L+, L- and ground in a 3-pin XLR plug. Right Mentor delivers R+, R- and ground in a 3-pin XLR plug.

VERY interesting! Thank you.

 

[Smoothstereo]

Didn't know that a single Mentor is not a true balanced amp. Thanks for the info Ichos.

 

[Ichos]

Ah I somehow missed that the 6.3mm output is simultaneously a 3 pin XLR


I was like "4 pin XLR for mono? How is the pinout?"

Not sure about the pinout. I guess that is standard XLR.

You have one plug for the left channel and another for the right.

 

[Ichos]

 

[Slackaveli]

Cable example for dual mono Mentor set-up.

I think best would be like this: 3-pin xlr left channel, 3-pin xlr right channel, to 4-pin xlr female.. like so. then use whatever cables for whatever headphone. I'd have Trevor make me one of these (Norne Gang Gang).

 

[DisalvoA992]

This is the exact cable terminations I have from Arctic Cables. Got a nice custom Aperion cable and adapter I'm gonna bust out today for another pair of headphones

 

[Slackaveli]

This is the exact cable terminations I have from Arctic Cables. Got a nice custom Aperion cable and adapter I'm gonna bust out today for another pair of headphones

Man you are a prime candidate to just snag a paired stack of Mentors.

As an Aside:
Guys, it is important that the stacks are volume matched and purchased as a pair. If we buy one now with the thought of adding one later we'd run the possibility of them not sounding matched (which would have to suck). I noticed that warning on the product page last night so food for thought.