[urs]

Dear Colleagues,

Who can help me ?
I'm in search of a new “stationary” HP amp and I expect the following „specifications“

- Balance controls (I have a slight hearing imbalance), but if possible NOT the two-knob volume system, but proper volume & balance
- Two or more inputs (preferably selected from the front, of which one should be XLR
- Able to drive an IEM (e.g. the new Shure E500) – would switchable cross feed be an advantage ?

Needless to say: top sound, more along a "tubey", warmish sound.

I’m listening mainly to classical music, the unit will be driven at the end of a NAIM system.
…..and yes: my current standard is the STAX Omega & 007 T system, which I plan to keep of course. The above new IEM system is meant to be used as a supplement, when I don’t want to disturb other persons in the same room.)

Thanks for your suggestions &
Regards

Urs, Switzerland

 

[urs]

... no news ??

--> correction: the "integrated" balance & volume system, such as used by Stax would be OK, of course.

Urs

 

[nikongod]

2-chanel "level matching" an xlr input pretty much requires a dual-knob system.

you MAY be able to get alps to make you a 4-chanel balance pot, but you may also rather spend the money on soemthing else.

i vote towards a double pot arangement, in the interst of saving a decent bit of cash if nothing else. you will probably get stuck with the 2-knob arangement, as the "split knob" pots stax uses are somewhat hard to find.

 

[mulveling]

Unfortunately there's very little in the way of audiophile-grade equipment with balance controls. My Melos SHA-Gold has a decent one that supposedly doesn't degrade the sound, but IIRC later production runs didn't have it (Melos went out of business a number of years ago). Fits your requirements for sound, has a ton of inputs switchable from the front. No XLR in but has an XLR out along with 2 RCA outs (one active, one passive). You'll have to find one used.

Typically, if the balance control is implemented as a pot, it will degrade the sound to some degree, which is why most audiophile gear doesn't have them - despite the significant overall imbalances many systems have (not to mention the cases where your ears are naturally imbalanced). Your best bet would be to get someone to build you a standalone balance control box to go between source and amp. Then you could use almost any amp you like. DACt makes a CT4 discrete balance control that balances 2 channels from -3db to +3db in 0.25db increments. For all practical purposes, it shouldn't degrade sound quality (like any good stepped attenuator). If you're not a DIY'er you'd need someone to wire it up and put it in a box for you. I'm going to try to get one built for myself, as many headphones have imbalances of up to 1db or more.

Edit: Unfortunately the CT4 is not balanced - and couldn't be wired for true balanced XLR inputs/outputs. It could be wired for unbalanced XLR ins/outs - I don't know if this meets your requirements. I also don't know if there are any truly balanced balance controls

 

[nikongod]

stax "amps" with balanced inputs use a truly balanced 4-"layer" alps "blue" 50k audio pot. both left and right halves are tied together, and you may adjust the balance between.
the problem is that the pot is made for them.

 

[Jahn]

funny, i was about to say Melos SHA-Gold too. My balance control is photo-smooth with a remote to boot. No XLR inputs, but it does have XLR outputs - but not balanced outs.

 

[urs]

Thanks, guys, for your input.

...Looks like CURRENT models are rather rare !![size=xx-small]
If I understand correctly, the MELOS is not in production anymore[/size]

Regards
Urs

 

[Carl]

Have you considered getting a preamp to do the balance control? That way you could use any headphone amp you want.

 

[Afrikane]

I recall Mapletree Audio having a a balance control unit for their EAR+ kit. It might be worth looking into.