[Young Spade]

@HiFlight and Debit: Thanks a ton for posting the impressions; I always look forward to hearing them. Mine should be here either tomorrow or Tuesday (I'm betting Tuesday) and once I get it I'll post my impressions when I have the time. 
 
Sadly I have 2 more weeks of class but once that's over it's all free time (for 2 weeks anyway lol).

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

Quote:

Yesterday at our SW FL Mini-meet, we were experimenting the with PB1's drive ability and someone suggested trying it with my K1000.  Ha!  Fat chance it could even drive them to an audible level, much less a suitable listening level, but nevertheless, I decided to humor the request and lashed up the K1Ks. 
 
Believe it or not, to our amazement, the Toucan on high gain was not only able to drive them to an audible level, but also to a satisfying listening level that sounded not only well-balanced, but also one that was tonally correct.   This, of course, was done using the balanced output.  Of course, the volume control on the PB1 was nearly maxxed, but nevertheless....!!!
 
Who woulda thott???? 
 
Needless to say, the Toucan impressed all who auditioned it with my K1000s and K340s.   In balanced mode, it was also able to drive my HE-5LE's. 
 
In comparison, my *other* balanced portable did not fare as well. 
 
Ron

Dang!  Now I'm more interested.  Now I wonder how it would do with the HiFiMan HE-6 which need a K1000 class amp.

 

[Young Spade]

Quote:

Dang!  Now I'm more interested.  Now I wonder how it would do with the HiFiMan HE-6 which need a K1000 class amp.

That's how I felt when the stats were released and it showed how much power this thing has. I'm so excited to get mind and see how it goes. If this thing picks up I'm sure it will replace desktop amps (depending on the SQ; I've never heard a desktop amp before though). 

 

[wwap]

Quote:

Needless to say, the Toucan impressed all who auditioned it with my K1000s and K340s.   In balanced mode, it was also able to drive my HE-5LE's. 

 
Does it mean the Toucan in non-balanced mode won't be able to drive the HE-5LE's?
 

 

[HiFlight]

Quote:

Quote:
 
Does it mean the Toucan in non-balanced mode won't be able to drive the HE-5LE's?
 

No, not at all.  It drives them just fine SE.  I think, however, that  the balanced output improves the imaging and solidarity of the soundstage.  It is more 3-dimensional. 

 

[jamato8]

I have been using my Grado HF2 balanced for a while now and the bass impact and slam continue to impress me. With the quality of control to the bass, the transparency increases and the overall realism is enthralling. I also notice that I am enjoying my ESW10 balanced much more than in single ended. I look forward to the release of the balanced dac. 
 
I find it exciting to be in fairly remote areas and still able to enjoy truly high end sound. 

 

[wagen]

iBasso PB1 Toucan   +  IE8
 

 

 

 

[Young Spade]

Awesome Wagan. Where did you get the balanced cable from?

 

[wagen]

Own DIY

 

[GTL]

Anyone tried this with HD800s or Tesla T1s? Can it drive them to desktop amp levels?

 

[HiFlight]

Quote:

Anyone tried this with HD800s or Tesla T1s? Can it drive them to desktop amp levels?

As it can drive my K340s to a level higher than I can tolerate, it can most certainly drive the HD800s and T1. 

 

[SpudHarris]

Is there going to be an adapter to change the balanced cable to normal 3.5mm or 6.3mm Jack??

 

[Young Spade]

Quote:

Is there going to be an adapter to change the balanced cable to normal 3.5mm or 6.3mm Jack??

Why would you do that? Changing the balanced to SE isn't going to give you the "balanced" results. Unless the DAC is ONLY balanced out which I guess you would have to use this for another type of amp. 

 

[SpudHarris]

Quote:

Why would you do that? Changing the balanced to SE isn't going to give you the "balanced" results. Unless the DAC is ONLY balanced out which I guess you would have to use this for another type of amp. 

Sorry should have been clearer, I meant the headphone cable not interconnects so that I can use the phones with my other amps and not be tied to just one....
 

 

[BebopMcJiggy]

Said balanced cable was a DIY cable. I make my cables end in a 4 pin mini xlr and have short 4 pin xlr -> other connector connectors. (Hirose h10-7p-6p, the protector camera plug, 3.5mm, 6.3mm, and dual 3 pin xlrs for example.)
 
It is really up to you what you do with your headphone cable...  I suspect there are easier connectors to use than hirose -> hirose to convert to a 3.5mm or 6.3mm plug though.