Hornet M. Am I doing something wrong?

[sjpetry]

I recently bought a Hornet M (Month old in like new condition) to drive my HD 600s with an iPod Video as the source. The problem is that there isn't a perceivable sound difference when using the Hornet. I've confirmed this with two other people who I consider to have very good ears. I did a blindfolded test and the testers couldn't tell a difference between the internal iPod amp over the Hornet. I'm hoping that there is just something wrong with my setup. My set up is as follows: iPod > iPod line out (and I also tried a standard 1/8 inch cable > Hornet M > HD 600s or HD 280s.

P.S. I read the Stereophile review and they absolutely love the Hornet.

If any one has anything that might change my results please tell me. I used my iMac as a source with the same results.

 

[kamal007]

what kind of file for the music that you have? 192kbps? or FLAC's?

 

[jcx]

the iPod can put out ~ 1 Vrms, this only drives the HD600 to 102 dB before hard clipping

you may not hear clipping at background or even easy listening comfortable average spl levels that may range from 70 to 80+ dB spl even with dynamic material peaking at +20 dB more

If you truely haven't heard differences I suggest you read http://headwize.com/articles/hearing_art.htm twice, once to protect your hearing, then a second time paying attention to how loud and how much dynamic range real world musical sounds have

listening within safe limits but realisitically loud with high dynamic range material will make the 102 dB clipping level painfully obvious

the Hornet should give another 10 dB spl vs the iPod internal amp with the HD600, enough to cover most critical listening with many sources

also google: loudness war

most comercial material simply does not have realistic dynamic range often < 6 dB peak to ave spl, in which case 102 dB clipping level wouldn't be touched at even low 90's dB ave spl - thats loud!

 

[Agent Kang]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sjpetry /img/forum/go_quote.gif I recently bought a Hornet M (Month old in like new condition) to drive my HD 600s with an iPod Video as the source. The problem is that there isn't a perceivable sound difference when using the Hornet. I've confirmed this with two other people who I consider to have very good ears. I did a blindfolded test and the testers couldn't tell a difference between the internal iPod amp over the Hornet. I'm hoping that there is just something wrong with my setup. My set up is as follows: iPod > iPod line out (and I also tried a standard 1/8 inch cable > Hornet M > HD 600s or HD 280s. P.S. I read the Stereophile review and they absolutely love the Hornet. If any one has anything that might change my results please tell me. I used my iMac as a source with the same results.

I felt the same. I have never tried the Hornet, but a few of the portable amps that I did try I wasn't sure if there was indeed any improvement in sound quality. There is a change alright, but to me the jury's still out on whether this change is an actual improvement.

 

[GAD]

You may have to train your ears to hear the differences. They can be subtle to the uninitiated. Everyone I introduce to amps doesn't hear it until I tell them what to listen for. Now they're all re-ripping their CDs because 128bit suddenly isn't good enough.

If you're listening to 128bit encoded music, you'll need to get some better files. Garbage in = garbage out.

Listen with the amp for a week, and then go back unamped. I bet you'll notice a difference. If not, then maybe it's just not for you. Be happy and move on - your wallet will thank you.

GAD

 

[sjpetry]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kamal007 /img/forum/go_quote.gif what kind of file for the music that you have? 192kbps? or FLAC's?

All of the music I was listening to was either ACC 320kbps of Apple Lossless.
Quote:

Originally Posted by jcx /img/forum/go_quote.gif If you truely haven't heard differences I suggest you read http://headwize.com/articles/hearing_art.htm twice, once to protect your hearing, then a second time paying attention to how loud and how much dynamic range real world musical sounds have

I doubt I have hearing loss (even wear earplugs while mowing my lawn and playing in bands). I measured my headphones with a sound pressure meter and I was only listening at 75DBs. I guess I could be going deaf but I got my hearing tested a few months ago and they said my hearing was normal.
Quote:

Originally Posted by GAD /img/forum/go_quote.gif Listen with the amp for a week, and then go back unamped. I bet you'll notice a difference. If not, then maybe it's just not for you. Be happy and move on - your wallet will thank you. GAD

I have been listening to the Hornet for a week now and I still can't hear a difference. However, I did notice a difference when I first got my Xenos.

 

[jinp6301]

portable amps in general dont really bring a lot of refinement (IMO)

 

[Singapura]

If two other people confirm that there is no difference it must be something with the setup. I'm using an iBasso T-1 at the moment and definitely hear a difference. I hear it with my Mylar X3's and I hear it with my HD 650's. With a properly burned in Hornet there should be more improvement still. To my ears an amp works as a magnifying glass, bringing music in focus and widening soundstage. The Hornets that I've tried (both burned in and brand new) made a very definite impact on the listening experience. Have you switched of the EQ on your iPod? This may have an influence on the overall result. Also have a look at your interlink. If it colors too much you may not hear a difference. Compare it to food with too much salt or chilly, it all tastes the same after a while. An amp should enhance, not alter just as an IC should.

 

[sjpetry]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Singapura /img/forum/go_quote.gif Have you switched of the EQ on your iPod? This may have an influence on the overall result. Also have a look at your interlink. If it colors too much you may not hear a difference. Compare it to food with too much salt or chilly, it all tastes the same after a while. An amp should enhance, not alter just as an IC should.

The EQ is turned off as I find it can add distortion. The ICs are gold plated and seems to be just fine... Thanks for all the help.

 

[artears]

The Hornet is definetely an improvement over the internal amps in the daps. I have iaudio x5, ipod 4G and an iriver ihp-140. Adding Hornet to each of them increases SQ a lot compared to driving the headphones from the headphone out of the daps mentioned.

The ICs can be terminated in gold plated plugs, but this is not important. The signal is transferred through the cable itself and I can hear differences between some cables up to a certain price point.

How about the condition of the battery you are using? Have you tried the Hornet plugged to the adapter as well? You can also check the condition of the battery by the brightness of the on-off led, but I was just curious.

 

[barqy]

maybe i missed this but what are you using to connect your ipod to the hornet?

if you're using mini to mini, maybe try a line out dock if your friends have one to see if it improves things.

 

[BIG POPPA]

Listen to another source like a cd player. I bet it is the source.

 

[jlingo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BIG POPPA /img/forum/go_quote.gif Listen to another source like a cd player. I bet it is the source.

I could hear big difference with supermacro LE then straight directly from the ipod. With supermacro you feel the imaging, separation, blackness/quietness, the depth, and the musicality.

But then, my wife couldn't even hear a difference between W5000 and SR-60.

 

[Rise To The Top]

iPod > Hornet > HD600s?! HAHAHAHAHAHA! Get a home setup, and dont run off an iPod, they sound like crap. If you dont feel like going up to a homesetup, just sell your HD600s to someone who will actually get use out of them. A good headphone will sound like **** if you have ****** sources. Like a few people have said already, portable amps dont do much to redifine the sound, they simply power.

 

[mrdeadfolx]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rise To The Top /img/forum/go_quote.gif iPod > Hornet > HD600s?! HAHAHAHAHAHA!

Uhhh, yeah, hilarious.