[Jenxer]

Well, I decided to buy the HE-400, velour pads and the FiiO E17. Is there a guide around on how to install the velour pads? SOrry, I'm new to all this.

 

[viveksaikia22]

Quote:

Expectation bias and all that.

Definitely not! I have A-B'ed between the SE and Balanced outputs and I reconfirm my observations.

 

[chewy4]

Quote:

Well, I decided to buy the HE-400, velour pads and the FiiO E17. Is there a guide around on how to install the velour pads? SOrry, I'm new to all this.

 
It's simple, you just remove the old one's along with the plastic ring they are attached to and put the new one's in place. Pretty self explanatory once you see it, just don't be afraid to bend the plastic as it is flexible.

 

[Eric_C]

Quote:

Well, I decided to buy the HE-400, velour pads and the FiiO E17. Is there a guide around on how to install the velour pads? SOrry, I'm new to all this.

 
This page in the thread should sort you out.
http://www.head-fi.org/t/586885/new-hifiman-headphone-he-400-is-out/2130

 

[murrays]

Quote:

Definitely not! I have A-B'ed between the SE and Balanced outputs and I reconfirm my observations.

Yes, but did you match the levels exactly each time when A-B'ing?
By your own admission the balanced was louder ("gain increased a bit") and a slight increase in volume will always sound better in so many ways.  It's an old trick of hi-fi salesmen from way back.  All it takes is a dB or two.

 

[MattTCG]

My evaluation was level matched and double blind. There is no doubt in my opinion. Others have found very similar if not the exact result. 

 

[chewy4]

Double blind? How did you pull that off?

 

[IEMCrazy]

Quote:

 
Thanks.  I read your comments.  Very helpful.  I think I'm sold on the HE 400 because of your post.  It's less about preferring one type of music to another (I listen to all kinds and my tastes change dramatically), and more about what I would be "missing."  I'm most disappointed in music when I can't hear the low end bass when it should be there.  So, even though I listen to a lot of music with female vocalists (where you said you prefer the HD650), that probably wouldn't make up for missing bass when it should be there.

 
Glad I could help!  You can't go wrong with either choice, they're both excellent headphones. But yeah if your preference is to make sure you get all the sub-bass out of the recording, HE-400 is the route you want. 

 

[viveksaikia22]

Quote:

Yes, but did you match the levels exactly each time when A-B'ing?
By your own admission the balanced was louder ("gain increased a bit") and a slight increase in volume will always sound better in so many ways.  It's an old trick of hi-fi salesmen from way back.  All it takes is a dB or two.

Yes, I increased the volume while on SE output to match the levels, while A-B'ing but found the same observation.
Balanced output really has an upper hand over the SE output for sure!

 

[I95North]

Yes, I increased the volume while on SE output to match the levels, while A-B'ing but found the same observation.
Balanced output really has an upper hand over the SE output for sure!

Maybe he's asking if in fact you did the measurements with some sort of measuring device to match db level output between SE and BAL outputs maybe and not by ear??

 

[Skp44]

I don't have any figures on the NFB-6, but in most circuits your voltage swing in balanced mode will be close to double that in SE mode. Which usually results in a significant increase in gain. For example, my IBasso PB1 has a max gain of 7.5db in SE and 15db in balanced. I've found that in most amps it results in an improvement to SQ. Whether real or percieved, thats another matter altogether!

 

[viveksaikia22]

Quote:

I don't have any figures on the NFB-6, but in most circuits your voltage swing in balanced mode will be close to double that in SE mode. Which usually results in a significant increase in gain. For example, my IBasso PB1 has a max gain of 7.5db in SE and 15db in balanced. I've found that in most amps it results in an improvement to SQ. Whether real or percieved, thats another matter altogether!

I think the single ended connection somehow impact the sound signature as I see the headphone/earphone connected to a SE output as two coils (headphone drivers) connected with a common ground and the . As the coils have their own inductances/resistances, it is bound to change the sound of the other channel driver in some way. Think of it as a crossover network.
 
Whereas, The balanced output drives the two different coils (headphone drivers) independently and hence there is no involvement of any outside inductance/resistances to screw up the signal.
 
Tried to come up with a very rough diagram to explain what I am saying -
 
For single ended connection :
 
 

 
For Balanced connection :
 
 

The experts here please let me know if I am wrong.

 

[I95North]

I don't have any figures on the NFB-6, but in most circuits your voltage swing in balanced mode will be close to double that in SE mode. Which usually results in a significant increase in gain. For example, my IBasso PB1 has a max gain of 7.5db in SE and 15db in balanced. I've found that in most amps it results in an improvement to SQ. Whether real or percieved, thats another matter

 

[palmfish]

In the old Slimdevices forum, someone once asked if the Balanced output of the Transporter was better than the Single-Ended. Here is Sean Adams' reply:
 
"Balanced cabling may have an advantage over long distances (several meters) or in extremely noisy environments. Over short distances there is really no advantage over RCA AFAICT.

Transporter's RCA outputs are driven by an active balun circuit, which is fed by the exact same signal that goes directly out of the XLR. So it takes advantage of the balanced filter/DAC stages upstream from there. In terms of objective metrics (SNR, THD etc) there is no appreciable difference between Transporter's outputs, for short cables."
 
My opinion is that there are only 3 explanations for the RCA and balanced outputs on the NFB-6 to sound different.
 
1. The unit is not functioning properly
2. The unit is poorly designed
3. The listening conditions are not controlled (level match, double blind, etc.)

 

[viveksaikia22]

Quote:

In the old Slimdevices forum, someone once asked if the Balanced output of the Transporter was better than the Single-Ended. Here is Sean Adams' reply:
 
"Balanced cabling may have an advantage over long distances (several meters) or in extremely noisy environments. Over short distances there is really no advantage over RCA AFAICT.

Transporter's RCA outputs are driven by an active balun circuit, which is fed by the exact same signal that goes directly out of the XLR. So it takes advantage of the balanced filter/DAC stages upstream from there. In terms of objective metrics (SNR, THD etc) there is no appreciable difference between Transporter's outputs, for short cables."
 
My opinion is that there are only 3 explanations for the RCA and balanced outputs on the NFB-6 to sound different.
 
1. The unit is not functioning properly
2. The unit is poorly designed
3. The listening conditions are not controlled (level match, double blind, etc.)

 
Without any intention of starting a debate on "Balanced vs Unbalanced", here is some good read to understand the concept better -
 
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&ved=0CC4QFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hifiportal.co.uk%2FArticles%2FArticle0003-BalancedVsSingleEnded.pdf&ei=0nVTUIGEIdSDqgHKgIHQCw&usg=AFQjCNFSSgTfVcef2CHHCpVj8H77CGchQw&sig2=eccgIwu75G8ibWTPV5R5EQ
 
My theory is entirely from the load prospective and not from the output side.