Interesting machine from Luxury n Precision

Jan 4, 2025 at 9:08 AM Post #4,276 of 4,416
What does the EA4 add to the P6 Pro ti99 when running the Utopia? Since it’s so easy to drive I would wonder what differences you might hear having all that extra power available. Cheers
That is the interesting thing about the Utopia. Whilst it is easy to drive to be loud enough, I have always listened to the Utopia and the 2022 off desktop amps. When so listening, i have never found them to have small soundstage or lack bass impact. With the EA4 10th Anniversary I tend to listen with ILA, CC and H switches. Very nice maximum tube flavour. :)
 
Jan 4, 2025 at 9:30 AM Post #4,277 of 4,416
That is the interesting thing about the Utopia. Whilst it is easy to drive to be loud enough, I have always listened to the Utopia and the 2022 off desktop amps. When so listening, i have never found them to have small soundstage or lack bass impact. With the EA4 10th Anniversary I tend to listen with ILA, CC and H switches. Very nice maximum tube flavour. :)
Do the ea4 run the utopia almost as well as your desktops you mentioned?
 
Jan 4, 2025 at 7:14 PM Post #4,278 of 4,416
Do the ea4 run the utopia almost as well as your desktops you mentioned?
Yes it does. My desktops are SS. So, EA4 allows me the option to inject some tube signature. And the EA4 has nice options on how tubey I want the sound to be. :)
 
Jan 4, 2025 at 8:28 PM Post #4,279 of 4,416
I recall someone was asking about the Susvara and the EA4. Running it at 60-70 on ILA-12V-CC-H. I switch between ILA and ILH depending on how much tube goodness I would like. :)

IMG_9743.jpeg
 
Jan 5, 2025 at 4:57 AM Post #4,280 of 4,416
Nice series of articles from LP on the EA4. Here is the first part: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/sFBP_1COFXKOfz-Pazxzhw

Translation thanks to google translate. ;)

[Play EA4] Operation Guide 3 Parts: How to set the front-end output correctly?​

Fine luxury and happy October 25, 2024 09:31

1736062049494.png


I. High LO acceptance range, fully release the front-end dynamics
During the exhibition and audition of the EA4 engineering machine, some burning friends reported that the sound of the machine was abnormal, saying that the low frequency was very soft. Our engineer found that the connection method of the burning friend was to connect the EA4 with the PO port of a player, and the output was not switched to LO. At the same time, the volume of the player was also set very low (the output level was too low). And the volume of EA4 is set very high. Such a combination is bound to be incorrect, which will sacrifice the dynamic range of dozens of db. The performance of the sound is that the high-frequency resolution is insufficient, and the low-frequency is also loose.

EA4 is a pure earpiece. It is faithfully amplified. Input is amplified. When the dynamic range of the input sound source is very low, EA4 will amplify the defects of the front-end equipment or the music file itself. For example, the cut-top distortion that was originally difficult to hear will become easy to hear. Simply put, this small-volume PO+EA4 connection method will compress the front-end dynamic range and amplify defects and distortions.

In order to avoid similar problems, we suggest that you must use the correct connection method and try to connect the LO output of your sound source equipment with the EA4 earbustle input; if the sound source equipment does not have a special LO, adjust the machine PO to the appropriate output level as much as possible.

1736062071987.png


EA4 supplies power to the input buffer circuit and the output ear release through a higher voltage power supply, so the acceptance range of LO is wider and the upper limit is high enough: there is a matching principle that your sound source output voltage needs to be close to but not more than the voltage corresponding to the input sensitivity on the corresponding gain gear of EA4 as shown in the figure above (usually broadcast The output level of the single-end of the releaser is 1V-3.5Vrms, and the balance is 2-7Vrms). As long as the player output is set in the correct way, there will be no dynamic compression.

II. 4 kinds of gain combination adjustment, finer control
In addition to the high front-end LO acceptance range, the gain of EA4 is not average. Usually, there are only two types of low and high ear, or three kinds of high and low gain settings, but EA4 has two gain adjustments of H/L and ILA/ILH, with a total of 4 gain effects. The gain range is from 3.2dB to 13.8dB, and the range is also very large. The specific parameters are as follows:

1736062089096.png


Finally, the main parameters of the 3.5/4.4mm output port of EA4 are attached for your reference:


1736062104884.png






Revised on October 25, 2024
 
Jan 5, 2025 at 4:58 AM Post #4,281 of 4,416
Here is the second part of the trilogy of articles from LP: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/6VYKsUxof4cN05DkNiEm4g

Again, thanks to google translate:

[Play EA4] Operation Guide 3 Parts: How to release the most tube sound?​

Fine luxury and happy November 1, 2024 10:00

The first article explains how to correctly connect the front-end and EA4. In the second article, we will introduce the gameplay of EA4 in detail. After reading this article, you can calculate how many tunings there are in EA4 in theory.

1736062203755.png


I. 3 switches to realize 8 kinds of tube sound

1736062221753.png


Among them, ILH/ILA (input level maintenance/attenuation) and H/L (output gain high/low) electron tube high and low gain switches are relatively large links on the tube tone. Through these two switches, four mellow and sweet tones with relatively obvious tone differences can be realized.

The CC gear represents that the tube filament is supplied to constant current mode. The constant current source circuit built by the discrete device allows the filament to pass the set constant current, while the CV gear is the tube filament to supply to constant voltage mode, that is, a fixed voltage is applied to finally stabilize the filament current through the current-limiting resistance and the internal resistance of the tube filament itself. The CC gear has more tube tonality than the CV gear. We have also sorted out a concise adjustment indicator table. You can refer to this table to switch 3 kinds of switches and combine your desired courage. Among them, H+ILA+CC gear is to maximize the tube sound, and L+ILH+CV gear is to minimize the tube sound:
H gear + ILA gear + CC gear tube tone ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
H file + ILA file + CV file Electron tube tone ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
H gear + ILH gear + CC gear electron tube tone ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
H gear + ILH gear + CV gear Electron tube sound ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
L gear + ILA gear + CC gear Electron tube sound ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
L gear + ILA gear + CV gear tube sound ☆ ☆ ☆
L gear + ILH gear + CC gear Electron tube sound ☆ ☆
L gear + ILH gear + CV gear tube sound ☆


II. 2-speed ear-release power supply voltage, 11-segment static current, fine adjustment of control force

1736062241337.png


Another switch on the front panel of the EA4 is the headphone analog power supply voltage option, which are ±13V and ±15V respectively. The former is more suitable for headphones that require high current, such as low-impedance in-ear, and the latter is more suitable for driving headphones that require high voltage, such as high-impedance headphones.

The knob above is used to adjust the static current of the separate earpiece. There are 11 segments, the minimum AB working state of about 10mA, and the highest static current of about 50mA. The A working state ensures sufficient fineness and fine-tunes the hearing. It should be noted that the whole machine heats up when it is set to A-speed static current. When the ambient temperature is high, we do not recommend adjusting the static current to too high.
The 3.5/4.4mm output port of EA4 is also attached for the battery life in different working conditions. Among them, the maximum power consumption mode is 11 gear (Class A) + 4.4 balance + ±15V, with a battery life of about 8 hours; the minimum power consumption mode is 1 gear (Class AB) + 3.5 single-end + ±13V, with a battery life of about 24 hours.

1736062260650.png


Last edited: 19 minutes ago
 
Jan 5, 2025 at 4:59 AM Post #4,282 of 4,416
Now for the final part of the articles from LP: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/qtzGnepI3xG8XyGDYpyH4A

Here is the translated article:

[Play EA4] Operation Guide 3 Parts: How to use the multi-function power button?​

Fine luxury and happy November 13, 2024 09:43

The last part of the three-part series talks about the power button. In the article on the change of EA4 appearance, we mentioned that from the early version to the final mass-produced version, the position of the power button and functional design of EA4 have changed greatly.

1736062457998.png


As the only button of the whole EA4 machine, we have added an additional MCU chip to the power button, so that it can carry a variety of functions. At the same time, in order to avoid accidental touch, we have deliberately added the switching logic of short press/long press and single/multiple press for different functions. The following are the specific operating instructions:
1 Press and hold the shutdown state for 3 seconds: power on, and the indicator light at the volume knob lights up;
2 Press and hold for 3 seconds in the power-on state: turn off, and the indicator light at the volume knob goes out;
3 Short press 1 time in non-charging status: real-time power display (number of grids);
4 Short press 2 times in the power-on state: tube pre-stage PRE output mode (blue light) / tube pre-stage + separate ear-up output mode (white light);
5 Short press 3 times when power-on and non-standby: on (green light flashes 3 times)/off (yellow light flashes 3 times) automatic shutdown function - automatic shutdown after 3 hours;
6 Short press 4 times when turned on and not on standby: on (red light flashing 4 times)/off (pink light flashing 4 times) DC output protection function.

1736062482249.png


Supplementary notes:

1. Please do not switch on and off frequently: because the electron tube and the separate earplug need to be preheated to achieve the best stable state.

2. Hibernation and automatic shutdown: After power-on, the indicator light flashes for 60 seconds and waits for the user to insert the headphones. After 60 seconds, the input and output are still not plugged in, that is, it will change to low-power hibernation mode, and the indicator light will turn into a light blue breathing lamp effect; if it is not plugged in after 5 minutes, it will automatically shut down;

3. It is recommended to turn on the automatic shutdown function: the automatic shutdown function is turned off by default. If you forget to turn off the power or have the habit of listening to music before going to bed, once the battery is exhausted, the voltage will be too low and affect the battery life. Press the power button 3 times, and the indicator light flashes green 3 times and then changes back to the color of the original mode (white or blue), indicating that the automatic shutdown function is turned on. If you turn off this function, press it 3 more times. At this time, the indicator light will flash yellow 3 times and then change back to the original mode color;

4. Turn off the DC output protection function and use it carefully: imagine a more extreme usage scenario: use Lebe LP6 Ti, when headphones with extremely low drive impedance and low sensitivity, such as a high-end tablet, when the output current reaches the maximum state, in order to protect the internal chip of the system, the current may be limited. Once the current is limited, a poof sound will be heard in the headphones, and the internal power switch of the player will be turned off. EA4 turns on the DC output protection function by default. If you don't want to hear the poof sound during use and want to release the maximum output power unlimitedly, you can press 4 times to turn off the DC output protection function, but there will be a risk: once the earpiece fails, it may damage the connected headphones.


1736062500964.png
 
Jan 5, 2025 at 8:49 AM Post #4,283 of 4,416
Last weekend listen with the HD800 off the EA4 10th Anniversary with Nipo N2 as source. ILA-13V-CC-H. Volume 30. Such rich tonality. :)

IMG_9767.jpeg
 
Jan 5, 2025 at 8:58 AM Post #4,284 of 4,416
That is the interesting thing about the Utopia. Whilst it is easy to drive to be loud enough, I have always listened to the Utopia and the 2022 off desktop amps. When so listening, i have never found them to have small soundstage or lack bass impact. With the EA4 10th Anniversary I tend to listen with ILA, CC and H switches. Very nice maximum tube flavour. :)
I have the Utopia both versions and they both make a crackle sound with the bass when it’s loud. Is that common or do they need to be broken in more? They have less than 10 hours on each of them. Cheers mate
 
Jan 5, 2025 at 9:48 AM Post #4,285 of 4,416
I have the Utopia both versions and they both make a crackle sound with the bass when it’s loud. Is that common or do they need to be broken in more? They have less than 10 hours on each of them. Cheers mate
I must confess that I've never had that issue. But then again, I do not listen too loud. Perhaps the folks at the Utopia thread may know more about this.
 
Jan 5, 2025 at 10:14 AM Post #4,286 of 4,416
Last weekend listen with the HD800 off the EA4 10th Anniversary with Nipo N2 as source. ILA-13V-CC-H. Volume 30. Such rich tonality. :)

IMG_9767.jpeg
Seems to be working well with all headphones!
 
Jan 5, 2025 at 5:58 PM Post #4,288 of 4,416
With EA4, just need to find the right settings. Warm sounding headphones? Tuned down the tube. Bright sound headphones then crank up tube.
Dynamic or planar? No problem too, EA4 handles both well.
Indeed! that's the great thing about it. So many ways to tweak the sound. :)
 
Jan 5, 2025 at 6:01 PM Post #4,289 of 4,416
Seems to be working well with all headphones!
Indeed it does. Of course, some combinations are more magical than others. As one might expect. If I moved to a role where I had my own office, this would something I definitely would have there. Or if I were to travel and stay somewhere for an extended period of time, this would be a viable option for me if I wanted headphones as an option. :)
 
Jan 5, 2025 at 10:27 PM Post #4,290 of 4,416
A quick session on a Monday morning. Here I am using the LP6Ti 7AE with the DX260 connected via Spdif. :)

IMG_9778.jpeg
 

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