johncarm
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Jun 27, 2014
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I've got a strange problem which was noticeable in the past, but became really noticeable with a couple of DACs I tried recently (a Gustard x20pro and a Gustard R26).
When I listen through headphones, there's a resonance in my left ear around 500 Hz. For example, if I play piano tones from a synthesized-modeled piano through the DAC, amp, and headphones, when I hit C5 or a few half steps above or below, the sound becomes much louder and muddied. There's a bit of resonance at C6 as well. This is not as noticeable in full-spectrum music, but in a, say, close-miked jazz recording, the instruments will stimulate the resonance pretty strongly when they come near the C5 or C6. Recording of piano also stimulates it a bit (not as much as playing a single modeled piano note).
It seems to be mainly in my left ear. I've tested this by turning the headphones around. Also by switching the left and right channels of the source signal (to put it through the opposite side of the DAC)... and putting it through both sides of my amp. It's pretty consistent... left ear has a lot of resonance, and right ear very little.
I really love the Gustard DACs in other respects and would like to keep the R26 long term.
There are two other DACs in which there's not much resonance... the iFi iDSD nano and the PS Audio DirectStream Mk. 1. My guess about the difference is that these DACs are leaner and brighter in tonal balance. The Gustards are warm with full midbass.
It happens with two headphones: the classic LCD-2 (pre fazor) and the AKG K712 pro. I'm looking for other headphones to test.
So first question is: what is going on? Second question: does it have something to do with the headphone, or more with the Gustards, or something else? I know I need to run some more tests.
But: the answer the question "what is going on?" could guide the tests.
One other clue: I have a lot of tinnitus in my left ear but not much in my right.
When I listen through headphones, there's a resonance in my left ear around 500 Hz. For example, if I play piano tones from a synthesized-modeled piano through the DAC, amp, and headphones, when I hit C5 or a few half steps above or below, the sound becomes much louder and muddied. There's a bit of resonance at C6 as well. This is not as noticeable in full-spectrum music, but in a, say, close-miked jazz recording, the instruments will stimulate the resonance pretty strongly when they come near the C5 or C6. Recording of piano also stimulates it a bit (not as much as playing a single modeled piano note).
It seems to be mainly in my left ear. I've tested this by turning the headphones around. Also by switching the left and right channels of the source signal (to put it through the opposite side of the DAC)... and putting it through both sides of my amp. It's pretty consistent... left ear has a lot of resonance, and right ear very little.
I really love the Gustard DACs in other respects and would like to keep the R26 long term.
There are two other DACs in which there's not much resonance... the iFi iDSD nano and the PS Audio DirectStream Mk. 1. My guess about the difference is that these DACs are leaner and brighter in tonal balance. The Gustards are warm with full midbass.
It happens with two headphones: the classic LCD-2 (pre fazor) and the AKG K712 pro. I'm looking for other headphones to test.
So first question is: what is going on? Second question: does it have something to do with the headphone, or more with the Gustards, or something else? I know I need to run some more tests.
But: the answer the question "what is going on?" could guide the tests.
One other clue: I have a lot of tinnitus in my left ear but not much in my right.
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