IMPRESSIONS: Lavry DA10 XLR out vs. Singlepower MPX3

[steaxauce]

Can anyone tell me the output impedance of the DA10's balanced outs?

I have more to say, but I don't have time right now, so I'll say it tomorrow. Thanks guys, for all your help. I don't think I'm having issues with the DA10, just with powering it and the Audiophile USB.

 

[Iron_Dreamer]

I believe that Mr. Lavry said the output impedance is 75 ohms.

 

[steaxauce]

That's not nearly as high as I expected. Still, it makes for a damping factor of < 0.5 with Grados.

 

[slwiser]

Link to this question on the Lavry forum

http://www.lavryengineering.com/lavr...mpedance+black

As I read it he is saying the output impedance of the headamp is 0.69 ohms.

 

[steaxauce]

Ooo, you know what? I just read slwiser's link, and Lavry says that each active pin has 75Ohms output impedance. So, if you're using both pins, the output impedance would only be 37.5Ohms. That would make for a damping factor of just under 1 with Grados. I think I might balance my RS-1.

 

[BrianS]

Quote:

Originally Posted by steaxauce Ooo, you know what? I just read slwiser's link, and Lavry says that each active pin has 75Ohms output impedance. So, if you're using both pins, the output impedance would only be 37.5Ohms. That would make for a damping factor of just under 1 with Grados. I think I might balance my RS-1.

try it and report back for us !

 

[steaxauce]

If someone really doesn't think it will sound better, please, tell me now! Don't think for a second that I'm very knowledgeable about this stuff!

 

[BrianS]

Quote:

Originally Posted by steaxauce If someone really doesn't think it will sound better, please, tell me now! Don't think for a second that I'm very knowledgeable about this stuff!

well IIRC, grados are like 32 ohms and a hd650 has 320 ohms so maybe it wouldn't. I would send Iron_Dreamer a PM as he is knowledgable, had a lavry before and I believe he knows about different phones requiring different ohms and the current and power required to drive them well.

 

[Iron_Dreamer]

I will just say that my speculation is that the Lavry's XLR will drive the RS1 fine, but the low dampening factor might make the bass a bit loose or tubby (not unlike a lot of tube amps), which might be taken as warm or nice, depending on the listener. Also due to the limited output current, clipping would set in at a relatively low 107dB or so (low compared to what other headphone amps can do, not as to what we should listen to). You may or may not like the way it sounds (only one way to know for sure), but I don't see a reason that it would be a major problem.

 

[steaxauce]

Thanks, Iron_Dreamer. I'm hoping to trade my HD650 for an SR-325i, so if that works out, I'll probably try it with those first. BTW, flabby bass, or warm and smooth, is definitely not my style. I call that dull. My favorite headphone yet is still the SA5000, and I was pretty dissapointed with the HD650, even with a balanced Cardas connected to my DA10. So, I've heard about how it can affect the sound negatively, but what improvements am I likely to get?

 

[Iron_Dreamer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by steaxauce Thanks, Iron_Dreamer. I'm hoping to trade my HD650 for an SR-325i, so if that works out, I'll probably try it with those first. BTW, flabby bass, or warm and smooth, is definitely not my style. I call that dull. My favorite headphone yet is still the SA5000, and I was pretty dissapointed with the HD650, even with a balanced Cardas connected to my DA10. So, I've heard about how it can affect the sound negatively, but what improvements am I likely to get?

I've never used a balanced Grado, so I really don't know what you might gain. The headphone amp will avoid the issue I discussed with the XLR, however, due to the harsh nature of Grados (esp. 325's) that effect caused by low dampening might just be more pleasing. Who knows? Honestly, to me 325's are like SA5000's with worse extension, smaller soundstage, less comfort, lower build quality, and a peaky midrange.