NeoteriX
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2005
- Posts
- 219
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- 12
In a nutshell, I'm finding that the iPod (5th Gen) lineout to be pretty darn loud--especially when paired with sensitive earphones like the Shure SE530. I have the iPod linedout through a SiK Din into a Headphonia/Headstage Lyrix Total Pro USB.
When using the iPod and the amp on the lowest gain, I have to stick to the bottom range of the volume potentiometer, just above where the right/left channels sync. When using pretty much any other source (PC over USB, etc.) the input is manageable such that I can use my SE530s over the normal range of the potentiometer.
I think the lyrix amp offers 3x gain and 7x gain on its hi/lo settings which is still too much.
I think a solution is to use a small 3.5mm attenuator to bring things down a touch. However, I'm told that a majority of the available solutions diminish sound quality (as they alter the dynamic impedance of the headphones), and its a little disappointing to shell out money for an amp and decent earphones to stick something in the path that will diminish the quality.
I've seen people mention the Shure adjustable attenuator as well as the Ultimate Ears attenuator, but have read many comments that they negative affect sound quality.
I've also seen these, but not much information exists about them:
Apparently the solution is to use a "voltage divider" setup instead of the typical "resistors inline/in series." I do not possess the tools for a DIY effort, so that leaves premade options. Does anyone have any ideas where I can get a premade attenuator that utilizes a voltage divider method as to not effect the impedance of the headphones? I'm hoping to spend no more than $30, but we shall see.
Research Sources:
When using the iPod and the amp on the lowest gain, I have to stick to the bottom range of the volume potentiometer, just above where the right/left channels sync. When using pretty much any other source (PC over USB, etc.) the input is manageable such that I can use my SE530s over the normal range of the potentiometer.
I think the lyrix amp offers 3x gain and 7x gain on its hi/lo settings which is still too much.
I think a solution is to use a small 3.5mm attenuator to bring things down a touch. However, I'm told that a majority of the available solutions diminish sound quality (as they alter the dynamic impedance of the headphones), and its a little disappointing to shell out money for an amp and decent earphones to stick something in the path that will diminish the quality.
I've seen people mention the Shure adjustable attenuator as well as the Ultimate Ears attenuator, but have read many comments that they negative affect sound quality.
I've also seen these, but not much information exists about them:
- Ebay Link for Etymotic ER4P to ER4S Resistor
- Š”Ž®‰ïŽÐƒI[ƒfƒBƒIƒeƒNƒjƒJbˆê”Ê»•ibAT3A50ST
- APureSound - Where The Music Is Always Pure - APS Audio LLC.
- http://store.m-audio.com/us/index.cf...&categoryid=52
- Level Attenuator for Listening on Airplanes for all Earphones
- Core Sound Attenuator Cables
Apparently the solution is to use a "voltage divider" setup instead of the typical "resistors inline/in series." I do not possess the tools for a DIY effort, so that leaves premade options. Does anyone have any ideas where I can get a premade attenuator that utilizes a voltage divider method as to not effect the impedance of the headphones? I'm hoping to spend no more than $30, but we shall see.
Research Sources:
- Attenuators and the signal path? - Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio
- http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/ue-...uality-250575/
- http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/iem...ptions-215885/
- http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f21/hi...nuator-407508/
- http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f21/in...nuator-245340/
- http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f87/at...or-re2-361445/
- http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f103/i...0-pros-350005/
- Modified Attenuator Tapers
- http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/att...uality-277467/
- http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/att...uality-170534/
- http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f21/am...enuator-95904/
- Uneeda Audio - Build your own attenuator pads
- Joey Hagedorn | dotcom » 20db Inline Attenuator Pad for Earphones
- Voltage divider - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Volume Limiter | Carlitos' Contraptions
- http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f6/diy...a-corda-11737/
- http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/nee...mahawk-253634/