The Toucan has over twice the voltage swing of the D4 and has plenty of current output.The dac doesn't influence the power output of the amp section of the D4, it is just that the PB1 has a more powerful amp section and balanced of course, doubles what the Toucan can do for power. I do like a small amp at the desk that can drive full size headphones. I find the HD650's more open sounding than any IEM I have heard. More layering and dimension with the 650's. To get this at home with a little portable, for me, no longer means having a listening station tethered to one place for optimal sound.
I agree. large headphones are still transportable around the house if amp and source can be taken around. And you can sit in the lawn and listen to music, without worrying about powering up the amp.
As it comes about. So far the PB1 is sounding very good. The first impression was so-so but as the unit burned in over just a few hours it opened up and became better detailed. There is very good extension from low bass to very nice refined highs. There is also a large soundstage in width and depth. These impressions are with the JH`13 balanced.
I have been spending some time comparing my PB1 to my D10 and D4, all listening being done SE, as I haven't yet had a chance to make up any adapters for my balanced phones.
The increased supply voltage is noticeable when driving high-impedance, low sensitivity phones, such as my K340. The PB1 simply has more power, resulting in a higher output volume and more headroom for transients than does either the D4 or D10, which should come as no surprise considering the higher supply voltage.
There is plenty of clean, deep bass with transients, both low and high, being reproduced well. With all of my phones, the detail is very good. Overall, the SQ in the SE mode can well stand on its own as a fine amplifier. Soundstage and imaging are both accurate in width and depth. Tonal accuracy clearly was a high priority with this amp, as difficult instruments such as violin, piano, and vocals, especially female are rendered very accurately.
Please keep in mind that these impressions are very premature, with the amp having only accumulated about 5 play hours so far.
Workmanship and construction details are, IMO, the best of any iBasso product yet released. Very nice case finish, as John mentioned in a previous post. The same excellent attention to detail is apparent inside the case as well as outside.
The charging circuitry is contained inside the charger, which looks identical to that of my Protector.
Gain setting is accomplished by 4 small dip switches that are accessible through a small opening in the bottom of the case. Gain is switchable between +6 and +15. At the gain setting of +15, the PB1 can effortlessly drive my HE-5LE planars to a higher level than I care to listen. Considering that the power output is doubled in balanced mode, I doubt that there are any dynamic phones that this amplifier will not be able to drive to any reasonable listening level.
Sizewise, the PB1 is about the same width and height as the D4, but about a half inch shorter. Looks about the size of a pack of regular-size cigarettes.
If the sound of the SE output is any indication, I am anticipating stellar performance using the balanced output.
I would say it is neither...It reaches very deeply into the bass, but is quite neutral. The bass is tight but does not intrude into the midrange. Male voices are not "chesty". Highs are not rolled off. There is certainly no veiling.
The PB1 seems to accurately reflect the characteristics of the source without lending a voice of its own.
I would say it is neither...It reaches very deeply into the bass, but is quite neutral. The bass is tight but does not intrude into the midrange. Male voices are not "chesty". Highs are not rolled off. There is certainly no veiling.
The PB1 seems to accurately reflect the characteristics of the source without lending a voice of its own.
That about sums up my impression so far but on balanced. I haven't even listened to single ended. It works beautifully producing the harmonics of notes giving them a real life.
edit: I also notice powerful presentation to the sound.
That about sums up my impression so far but on balanced. I haven't even listened to single ended. It works beautifully producing the harmonics of notes giving them a real life.
edit: I also notice powerful presentation to the sound.
I am using the HF2 Grados right now in balanced. Sounds very good with the PB1. Open and with a wide and deep staging on live music. Piano sounds great. The sound is very detailed but not etched.
shouldnt have buyers remorse before youve heard what youve bought. i have a protector myself, its excellent. im waiting on hearing more reports on this unit myself as well. but you didnt make a "wrong" decision ...
the DAC for this isnt even out, so the benefit of balanced in, over the protectors SE input is there, however it hasnt materialized just yet. still a week or so out, then we'll end up waiting for 1/200 hrs of burn in, depending on the user.
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