The pots on all the CA amps are audio (log) taper. I think this would be true on almost any amp I know about. I am surprised to hear of an amp that was using a linear pot unless it was in an atypical configuration.
The real issue is that the sources are very hot and the headphones (for the most part) are very sensitive. I wrote a long scree about this on another forum.
Thank you for the reply. Yes, I am familiar with the "scree". Yet, I own several headphone amps designed by other pre-eminent designers like yourself and there is no volume control issue of this kind on any of them with the same sources. Just saying ...
Oh luckily I got it for around $600 with eBay Offer with free shipping
Keeping in mind UsoppNoKami's post, I still have to recommend against using an LPS, as per earlier comments from AtomicBob and me.
One has to ask, what advantage am I getting when I use an LPS? Most of the advantage that one thinks one is getting is higher current capacity and lower noise.
On the noise issue, measurements have shown that the Plat has a very low noise floor. Not much improvement, if any, with an LPS. Certainly no audible improvement bc noise floor can't be heard.
As for current, the SMPS that mates with the Platinum can deliver much more current than the amp can ever use. It is over specified. Thus, any additional current capacity that one might get from an LPS is not useful.
The risk is that the higher current capacity is in the form of big electrolytics at the output of the LPS and lack of current limiting on startup (as already discussed). And this is exactly what you don't want dumping into the control circuit of the Platinum.
So, MHO, is that there is little, if anything, to be gained, and definite risk of damage.
Well, guess I’m wrong. I was listening in bed last night — wanted some quiet music, and ran into imbalance when turning down Utopia. Note that the bottom ‘stop’ on the volume pot is about 7:00. Channel imbalance happened until close to 8:00. Luckily it goes away almost immediately at that point. However, I would have turned it down a bit more, but for the imbalance.
Here’s my original post on the channel imbalance subject.
Note that this post was in error— should say:
Sorry I wasn’t clear — Emotiva XSP-1 preamp. Chain is fully balanced.
Sorry, again, guess I wasn’t clear. The imbalance I experienced was with the Pontus balanced out directly connected to the balanced inputs on the LP. There is no volume control on the Pontus.
Thank you for the reply. Yes, I am familiar with the "scree". Yet, I own several headphone amps designed by other pre-eminent designers like yourself and there is no volume control issue of this kind on any of them with the same sources. Just saying ...
