[iFi audio]

I would add the iFi Pro iCAN Signature. I have the pre-Signature edition and it is awesome!
Insane power, bass boost and 3D sound effects. It is a hybrid amp, but not very tubey at all. Closer to the Monoprice Liquid Platinum.

Thanks for mentioning our Pro iCAN! Just to clarify, it's a hybrind design, but not in the usual sense of the hybrid topology where transistors and tubes meet. In our Pro range these components can work together, but both Pro iCAN and Pro iDSD can operate as solid-state devices with their tube components fully disengaged. Thanks!

 

[Bonddam]

 

[iFi audio]

Wow, that is one crazy setup you have amd it's very cool that our ZEN DAC Signature is there too. How are those Woo Audio monos working out for you btw. ?

 

[Bonddam]

Wow, that is one crazy setup you have amd it's very cool that our ZEN DAC Signature is there too. How are those Woo Audio monos working out for you btw. ?

The monos are amazing you get a big difference from switching from 2A3 to 300B. Separation is crazy good but only hindered by the source not being dual mono.

I have two complaints first noise with 1266 with plate lo z that is very minimal. So I must buy DC offset device and Torq told me to get Emotiva one. The other headphones use cathode switches so quite. The amps are separated by 4 feet now which took some of the hum away. I also had to introduce a dual mono pre amp Music Fidelity A-3cr to bring down noise and get more separation. Lats part of noise deals with my bypassed input so it's full tilt no volume knobs in the circuit so big noise.

Noise is transformer hum.

Last problem which you figure out is setting dual volume controls by ear. I should have broken out the dmm and measure each amp.

 

[frason]

The monos are amazing you get a big difference from switching from 2A3 to 300B. Separation is crazy good but only hindered by the source not being dual mono.

I have two complaints first noise with 1266 with plate lo z that is very minimal. So I must buy DC offset device and Torq told me to get Emotiva one. The other headphones use cathode switches so quite. The amps are separated by 4 feet now which took some of the hum away. I also had to introduce a dual mono pre amp Music Fidelity A-3cr to bring down noise and get more separation. Lats part of noise deals with my bypassed input so it's full tilt no volume knobs in the circuit so big noise.

Noise is transformer hum.

Last problem which you figure out is setting dual volume controls by ear. I should have broken out the dmm and measure each amp.

Wow, congratulations! I would have hoped that high end gears costing so much money didn’t have problems such as transformer hum though.

 

[Bonddam]

Wow, congratulations! I would have hoped that high end gears costing so much money didn’t have problems such as transformer hum though.

There is no perfect. This amp requires clean AC so my issue requires a dedicated line which I can do myself but second I kill the power my kids go ape crap crazy. The hum isn't going to bother someone with hearing loss. It's only on 1266 so Susvara is no noise.

 

[iFi audio]

The monos are amazing you get a big difference from switching from 2A3 to 300B. Separation is crazy good but only hindered by the source not being dual mono.

I imagine that you like 300Bs more? And if I may ask, how these compare to 2A3s?

So I must buy DC offset device and Torq told me to get Emotiva one.

You can also take a look at our DC Blocker that works really well with transformers that suffer from residual DC offset.

 

[SoNic67]

I don't think THX 789 is fully balanced

Depends of what that actually means for you. THX789 has a balanced (bridged) output. And balanced inputs. Is the path between them fully balanced? I don't know. I don't think it is relevant.

Quick hint of balanced outputs: for a specific device, look at the declared power for SE versus Balanced. If those numbers are the same, then is not a true balanced output.
Also the distortion numbers, on same device, are lower in the case of balanced output (cancelation of even-order distortion harmonics).

 

[frason]

Head Box DS2 B is also a true balanced design.

 

[iFi audio]

Depends of what that actually means for you. THX789 has a balanced (bridged) output. And balanced inputs. Is the path between them fully balanced? I don't know. I don't think it is relevant.

Yes, many manufacturers incorporate balanced i/o in their products for a user's convenience, even though these devices are internally single-ended. But for a product to be fully balanced front to back it needs pretty much everything doubled inside.