[gr8soundz]

yeah, i know that the type of plug is TRRS, but still not convinced that at the plug on the headphone side there are L+, L-, R+ and R- connectors. in phone cables (which is where you see most of the 4 pole TRRS plugs), one of the poles corresponds to the remote. 

but maybe you and others can try it out and let us know for certain.

Oppo already confirmed the correct pinout. I also recall the Hifiman players having the same balanced pinout on their 3.5 trrs outputs.

Based on that, I'm interested to know which headphones use the pinout you're referring to?

 

[kenman345]

Oppo already confirmed the correct pinout. I also recall the Hifiman players having the same balanced pinout on their 3.5 trrs outputs.

Based on that, I'm interested to know which headphones use the pinout you're referring to?

I think he was listing them without any particular order, just the types of signal you would find/need for balanced connection.

 

 

[musicman59]

This is the correct sequence. I got it form the Oppo guys during CanJam SoCal and Drew from Moon Audio made a Silver Dragon for me with it and my cable works great!
 
Quote:

The signal assignment from the tip to the ring is: L+, R+, L-, R-. We do not have a specific diagram illustrate this configuration at the moment, however.
 

 

[kugino]

cool. thanks. I'll make a cable when I get my headphones...one of these days.

 

[Licht]

Pin assignment figure on Oppo Japan site. 
 
http://www.oppodigital.jp/products/headphone/pm-3/

 

[kenman345]

  Pin assignment figure on Oppo Japan site. 
 
http://www.oppodigital.jp/products/headphone/pm-3/

If I understand that section from the translation properly, then  the HA-2 has separate grounds on the output? So it can instantly take advantage of the cable I posted a link and image of earlier that's 3.5mm TRRS 6' cable? That's pretty sweet.

 

[Licht]

  If I understand that section from the translation properly, then  the HA-2 has separate grounds on the output? So it can instantly take advantage of the cable I posted a link and image of earlier that's 3.5mm TRRS 6' cable? That's pretty sweet.

Yes, that's right.
I prefer 3 dollar TRRS cable over original cable to connect PM-3 to HA-2.
Waiting for modest and not so expensive TRRS cable coming out to the market.

 

[kugino]

  If I understand that section from the translation properly, then  the HA-2 has separate grounds on the output? So it can instantly take advantage of the cable I posted a link and image of earlier that's 3.5mm TRRS 6' cable? That's pretty sweet.

indeed, it appears from the japanese site that the ha-2 does output a balanced signal if using the proper trrs 3.5mm cable with the pm-3. i wish they'd put this information in the oppo america website as well...
 
btw, they're not separate grounds...they're inverted signals (the L- and R-)

 

[Licht]

 
indeed, it appears from the japanese site that the ha-2 does output a balanced signal if using the proper trrs 3.5mm cable with the pm-3. i wish they'd put this information in the oppo america website as well...
 
btw, they're not separate grounds...they're inverted signals (the L- and R-)

HA-2 has separate ground. Not balanced output.
See here.
http://www.oppodigital.jp/products/headphone-amp/ha-2/
"GNDセパレート" means "Ground Separate"
 

 

[kenman345]

Well, I had that cable that fits the PM-3 and got a 4-pin XLR Male to use, I wired it up and it sounds sweet.
 

 
So, confirmed, balanced is a thing and it's sweet. (X Fi on loan from a friend, taking full advantage for now.)

 

[Mont mont]

Reading this thread convinced me to buy the PM-3 and now its convinced me to go balanced.

 

[kenman345]

  Reading this thread convinced me to buy the PM-3 and now its convinced me to go balanced.

I was the same way, and I apologize for my involvement :-D
 
In all honesty, I have found that these days more than ever before it's easier to go balanced. I think it's now a negative on the checklist of any headphone if it cannot be balanced without modding the internals. I have even found that seaparating the grounds can have improvements, so even if you dont have a balanced rig, separate grounds is still my preference.

 

[miceblue]

Technically speaking, balanced connections have to do with equal-impedance wires such that any interference affects both equally. If you have impedance mis-matching, the advantage of balanced signalling becomes less.

Differential signalling is the +/- signals that people often refer to.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balanced_audio#Differential_signalling

Signals are often transmitted over balanced connections using the differential mode, meaning the wires carry signals of opposite polarity to each other (for instance, in an XLR connector, pin 2 carries the signal with normal polarity, and pin 3 carries an inverted version of the same signal). Despite popular belief, this arrangement is not necessary for noise rejection. As long as the impedances are balanced, noise will couple equally into the two wires (and be rejected by a differential amplifier), regardless of the signal that is present on them.

Depending on how the amplifier is designed, a balanced audio system may or may not sound better. Often times, people compare balanced amp A with unbalanced amp B and automatically assume any differences between the amps is because one is balanced and the other isn't, which most likely isn't the whole story.

 

[jagwap]

Technically speaking, balanced connections have to do with equal-impedance wires such that any interference affects both equally. If you have impedance mis-matching, the advantage of balanced signalling becomes less.

Differential signalling is the +/- signals that people often refer to.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balanced_audio#Differential_signalling
Depending on how the amplifier is designed, a balanced audio system may or may not sound better. Often times, people compare balanced amp A with unbalanced amp B and automatically assume any differences between the amps is because one is balanced and the other isn't, which most likely isn't the whole story.

^ This.
 
A good single ended can be better than a poor balanced.
 
All things being equal, and the half impedance seen by the amplifier being negligible balanced has a good change of being better.

 

[Stillhart]

Random thought:  I brought my Audio-GD NFB-15 out of retirement to work to use with my PM-3.  The pairing is very nice!  The darker Wolfson DAC really complements the PM-3 nicely.  
 
That is all.