Loxjie P20 Discussion- Starved for information on this thing!

[Grumpy Old Git]

That does look like tube riser sockets that I have.

Thanks David, i've ordered a pair.

 

[Grumpy Old Git]

The SE output works fine IME but the balanced output does produce noticeably more power.

Yes Jimmy, i don't understand why there have been some negative opinions on the SE out, unless it comes down to the actual cans? My HE-560's sound good, i'm waiting for the balanced cable i've ordered for them to arrive.
I own the first version of the HE-560, so cables with the SMC connectors are a little thin on the ground.

 

[Death_Block]

Hope you find the balance cable a worthwhile upgrade.

 

[Jimmyblues1959]

Yes Jimmy, i don't understand why there have been some negative opinions on the SE out, unless it comes down to the actual cans? My HE-560's sound good, i'm waiting for the balanced cable i've ordered for them to arrive.
I own the first version of the HE-560, so cables with the SMC connectors are a little thin on the ground.

One of my favorite pairings with the P20 is the Hifiman HE4XX used in balanced mode. For under $250 for everything but the source, the setup is amazing! To buy an entry level planar headphone from Hifiman in the early days would have cost over
$500 alone, plus a hybrid tube headphone amplifier would have likely cost at least another $500. With the P20/HE4XX,
for about 25% of that you have an excellent tube/planar headphone system.

 

[Jimmyblues1959]

One of my favorite pairings with the P20 is the Hifiman HE4XX used in balanced mode. For under $250 for everything but the source, the setup is amazing! To buy an entry level planar headphone from Hifiman in the early days would have cost over
$500 alone, plus a hybrid tube headphone amplifier would have likely cost at least another $500. With the P20/HE4XX,
for about 25% of that you have an excellent tube/planar headphone system.

Wishing everyone a very Healthy and Happy Holiday Season and a very Merry Christmas and Happy Chanukah!

 

[Death_Block]

Finally replaced the broken stock tubes, found the power cord and plugged it in after 4 years sitting in the cupboard. It’s only had 30mins of use. At the moment I only have SE from D16 to rca. Not sure yet worth the investment in a balanced input and xlr headphone cable for it lol

 

[Jimmyblues1959]

Finally replaced the broken stock tubes, found the power cord and plugged it in after 4 years sitting in the cupboard. It’s only had 30mins of use. At the moment I only have SE from D16 to rca. Not sure yet worth the investment in a balanced input and xlr headphone cable for it lol

These amps are amazingly well built for how inexpensive they are. And IMHO worth keeping long term. The fact they actually sound quite good in fully balanced mode is also a positive. I use the P20 with Hifiman HE4XX and Fostex T60RP planars, and they sound great.

IME the P20 sounds much better in fully balanced mode than it does in single ended.

So it's worth the expense to get a decent balanced cable.

 

[Death_Block]

Will the xlr output work if I’m only feeding it with rca?

 

[Jimmyblues1959]

Will the xlr output work if I’m only feeding it with rca?

I believe that by pressing the front button you can configure the P20 for a few different combinations, including single ended input to balanced XLR output. The one thing that you never want to do is short the balanced output, which can damage the P20. Also never use an XLR to SE adaptor on the P20's XLR output to run single ended headphones, because this could also damage the P20.

 

[DBaldock9]

Will the xlr output work if I’m only feeding it with rca?

Yes, it has a phase-splitter circuit that creates a Balanced output from a Single-Ended input.

 

[Death_Block]

I was just thinking if feeding it SE rca, the balanced xlr will work, but still only as a SE signal.

 

[Death_Block]

Yes, it has a phase-splitter circuit that creates a Balanced output from a Single-Ended input.

I didn’t know that. I thought the P20 was SE in, then SE out only. That’s good to know

Edit:
So I finally have balanced in and out on the P20 now. And I will disagree that SE is completely gimped. I do think balanced sounds better, in the treble region mostly. It’s brought a lot of air and sparkle to the mix. The bass guitar is cleaner sounding but I don’t hear any boost in bass, it feels like it hits harder, but it’s just cleaner sounding. It finally extends both ends now, it’s more complete sounding.