[Luco]

I thought that the Max had two transformers and the Max Balanced had four. Also, can you put up some pictures of the insides of the Max Balanced (not just the modules). You have plenty of photos on your website, but none that show the workings of the amp in all its glory.

 

[Tyll Hertsens]

Pretty sad, us not having these pieces of information clear.

 

[TheSloth]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyll Hertsens Pretty sad, us not having these pieces of information clear.

So, what's the answer? And some internal amporn shots of your home and max lines, as well as the DPS wouldn't be a bad idea while you're at it...

 

[TheSloth]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSloth So, what's the answer? And some internal amporn shots of your home and max lines, as well as the DPS wouldn't be a bad idea while you're at it...

No-one wants to answer my question? How can I possibly be a good fanboy if I don't know how many PSU's there are in a Max Balanced?

 

[Tyll Hertsens]

I'll work on it. I'm kinda sick right now, but I'll get Andrew on the pix and we'll see if we can't get some up befor we leave for the Stereophile show.

 

[TheSloth]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyll Hertsens I'll work on it. I'm kinda sick right now, but I'll get Andrew on the pix and we'll see if we can't get some up befor we leave for the Stereophile show.

Thanks Tyll! I need something to do - I got my middle finger caught in between two rather large, heavy sash windows while doing some DIY Air Con installation, so it's rather bruised. When am I going to learn to stop saving money and start looking after my hands (which is of course saving money)?

I'm sick too. Get better soon.

 

[Jamey Warren]

As Tyll said, we'll work on getting those pics up soon. To answer the question regarding power supplies, I'll do my best. In both the Home and the Max, there are technically four power supply rails which are derived from two input transformers. Each transformer output is regulated into + and - 15VDC rails which gives an individual +/- 15V supply for each pair of modules that powers either the left or right side of the headphone. Amporn coming soon.

 

[TheSloth]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamey As Tyll said, we'll work on getting those pics up soon. To answer the question regarding power supplies, I'll do my best. In both the Home and the Max, there are technically four power supply rails which are derived from two input transformers. Each transformer output is regulated into + and - 15VDC rails which gives an individual +/- 15V supply for each pair of modules that powers either the left or right side of the headphone. Amporn coming soon.

Thanks Jamey! Why did you go from 4 to 2 transformers in your top of the line? Is there no real/potential benefit from the extra transformers?

Btw, I'm impressed by your new sig.

 

[Jamey Warren]

For some people, four transformers is quite a bit of overkill. We choose larger transformers for the the new line and kept it to only two. When designing the Max Balanced and considering the power supplies, we couldn't hear any degredation of sound compared to the BlockHead. We had something similar to the convertable for listening tests.

 

[TheSloth]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamey We had something similar to the convertable for listening tests.

Similar? That thing must have been HUGE! Do you have a pic?

 

[Jamey Warren]

I don't have a pic but, it's just like a Max Balanced circuit board with only one pair of balanced headphone jacks and some sockets for the modules. I'm hoping that someday that prototype will end up as my balanced amp for home use. Maybe I'll post some pics after I get her all dressed up.

 

[Luco]

When you guys are determining the gain settings for amps with stepped attenuators, do you give different settings to the balanced amps to allow for the fact that balanced sources are on average much louder than unbalanced ones?

 

[TheSloth]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luco When you guys are determining the gain settings for amps with stepped attenuators, do you give different settings to the balanced amps to allow for the fact that balanced sources are on average much louder than unbalanced ones?

No. Because they are designed to run in single ended mode, and if the gain was halved, they might not be able to drive all single ended headphones.

Though, I can't be sure/remeber whether the gain wasn't slightly lower, but if it was, it wasn't by a significant margin.

 

[Luco]

Well, I wouldn't really care if my balanced amp had problems finding the right volume for some unbalanced phones. I want it (heck, need it!) to be able to calibrate balanced phones to the right level. I would like an official Headroom reply to this.

 

[TheSloth]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luco Well, I wouldn't really care if my balanced amp had problems finding the right volume for some unbalanced phones. I want it (heck, need it!) to be able to calibrate balanced phones to the right level. I would like an official Headroom reply to this.

Ok, Jamey will sort it, but I'm right.

I did own a Balanced Home.