Kees
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Feb 18, 2006
- Posts
- 4,619
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- 26
In the thread about the V200 amp from Lake People there was a mention of the new V181, a balanced solid state headphone amplifier.
I am very interested and take a look.
To my surprise they present it with a 5 pin XLR headphone output
So, I decide to e-mail them about it.
I got a prompt (within hours) answer from a very cooperative Fried Reim and also got permission to publish it.
So, here is the complete conversation:
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Looks like we got an interesting new contender in the sub-$1000- balanced amp category.
I am very interested and take a look.
To my surprise they present it with a 5 pin XLR headphone output
So, I decide to e-mail them about it.
I got a prompt (within hours) answer from a very cooperative Fried Reim and also got permission to publish it.
So, here is the complete conversation:
Quote:
Hi, I applaud you on bringing the V181 with balanced headphone output, but I am very puzzled about the use of the 5 pin XLR you are using. Current standard is 2 3pin XLR plugs (with only pin 1 and 2 used)and also used (becoming more popular): one 4pin XLR. The use of a 5pin connection is very incovenient, and I also don't understand what the use of the fifth pin could be.... Could you explain why you chose for the 5pin connection? Thanks. Kind regards, Kees Dignum. |
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Hello Kees Dignum, thank you for your interest in our products, specially our brandnew V181. About the connector: When we began thinking about V181 it was also pleasure to think about new and better connectors than practical good but technical dumpish 1/4" phone jacks. First we encountered the often seen solution with 2 x 3-pin XLR which - for my opinion - is not very smart. 1. What, when there is 1 cable with 4 conductors inside (AKG K701) It takes lots of efforts to come from one 3-pin XLR to the other .... 2. What, when you want to come back with an adaptor back to phone jack. Afterwards your cable is charged with 4 XLR connectors scaling probably more than the entire can ... OK, next - as the XLR or any other quiet big connector is destroying the optical approach of the front panel - we though about some really smart and tiny connectors like 4-way coaxial types, available for instance from Lemo. But - available only theoretically and for dramatical prices. Now, back on earth, we thought about 4-pin to 5-pin XLR. We choose 5-pin because we are thinking about a automatic -6 dB gain reduction when a balanced can is connected. This is what the 5. pin is good for ! Also - as there is no wireing standard even to 4-pin XLRs most users will be in need of an adaptor, even when more common 4-pin XLR would be used. So, now our standard is 5-pin XLR with femal socket (WITHOUT latch) installed in the amp. For more information I added the manual from V181. The V181 is only the beginning ! We are planning to make a balanced amp with V200 technologie inside. Since its launch in May 2009, V200 is the most recognized headphone amp in central Europe. Best Regards Fried Reim |
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Hello Fried Reim, Thank you for your quick and elaborate answer. Since I (and many HeadFiers with me) have already reteminated and/or recabled many of my headphones with either 2x3 pin XLR or 4pin XLR, I'm not happy with yet another variation. There is a standard for the use of 4pin XLRs (derived from the 4pin XLR plug that was used on the AKG K1000), so the conversion from 4pin XLR to 2x3pin XLR is easy. Most everybody here agrees that the 2x3pin solution (initially chosen by Headroom) is not the most elegant one, and the 4pin solution has been adopted as the most viable alternative. I am very entousiastic about this hobby of mine, and willing to invest large sums of money in it, but I'll pass on this one.... Is it ok if I post your answer on HeadFi? Thank you. Kind regards Kees Dignum |
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Hello Kees Dignum, you are right, this would mean the next adapter which might be an issue for us to sell V181. I just checked the pin-out from Neutrik NC5FBH compared to NC4FBH series. It would be relatively easy possibe to use 4-pin XLR instead of 5-pin XLR on the front panel of V181 !! It would be great if you would post this on headfi - lets see about the replies. So I hope this will force you NOT to pass on this one and invest lots of money here ) And I am very sure that you would not be dissapointed !! Greetz Fried |
Looks like we got an interesting new contender in the sub-$1000- balanced amp category.