[LYuen]

I have no idea why but I'm hearing static/hissing when listening to Spotify now, only when music playing. Uapp is dead silent. Using my Lyra 2 balanced.

Yep. It is a known question that there is static noise on some third party apps, especially streaming apps.
Only solution: Try lower gain

 

[Chrono251]

Hi! How much battery life are you normally getting when using the 300r?

 

[Andrew Harper]

Hi! How much battery life are you normally getting when using the 300r?

Unfortunately it's a difficult question to answer accurately. It all depends on how you use the player.

Normal FLAC usage through the 3.5mm socket (balanced switched off or not used) about 10-11 hours usage for me.
FLAC through balanced (so using more power) about 7 hours.
HD music through the balanced connection. About 6 hours, maybe less.

I'm basing this on the number of albums I'm getting through, I don't literary time it I'm afraid.

This is with all the extras switched off, so no wifi, Bluetooth, etc.

On standby, when I forgot to switch it off. It only lost 15% over six days so that was quite good, again with wifi switched off, etc.

If you are streaming, that's a different matter. I don't use music streaming services but on here most people seem to get 3 hours or far less.

As I mention I don't use streaming services because I mainly use the player walking to work, on the plane to the UK or at the office, and as wifi is not available I just don't use it.

I bought the 300R as a replacement for an iPod Classic so I use it purely as a music player. Streaming is nice but I can't see me using it that much.

Yes it does take a little getting used to, coming from an iPod Classic where you can listen to music for days on end without battery trouble but there you go.

Hope that helps anyway.

 

[zombicube]

Hi! How much battery life are you normally getting when using the 300r?

Search this thread for zombicube. I posted results of a few battery-drain tests earlier this year. In my normal usage (flacs and podcasts on unbalanced headphones, screen almost always off), I measured drain of about 6% per hour.

More recently, I have been running the AccuBattery Pro app, and it tells me my overall average drain is 2% per hour (listening, sleeping, and deep sleep). Not sure I believe that, but there you go.

Anyway, my lifestyle is such that I charge the thing every few days, and never worry that I'll be "stuck" with no music when the urge to listen strikes.

 

[klepto]

Unfortunately it's a difficult question to answer accurately. It all depends on how you use the player.

Normal FLAC usage through the 3.5mm socket (balanced switched off or not used) about 10-11 hours usage for me.
Hope that helps anyway.

Wow.. I don't have any canz that use balanced anyway, didn't know I could turn that off.. Thanks for the tip, I am sure that will save a bit of battery!

 

[Andrew Harper]

Wow.. I don't have any canz that use balanced anyway, didn't know I could turn that off.. Thanks for the tip, I am sure that will save a bit of battery!

The option is in the main option drop down bar (the one with wifi, etc.) rather than in the music app.

You'll see the option to select balanced and OCG. These can be forcibly switched off.

Admittedly when they are switched on I think they should power on automatically when they detect a connection, however I have noticed an improvement when switching them off completely.

If I'm using the Grado's I turn this option off (like your usage it has a standard 3.5mm connection), It seems to make battery usage better for me.

I then get around 10 hours like I mention above.

 

[doctorjazz]

So, I don't get OCG. According to the instructions I read, it's to get balanced sound without having to use balanced cable or connectors. Not sure it makes a whole lot of difference (haven't spent much time A-B'ing it).
Any thoughts?

 

[Lurk650]

Yep. It is a known question that there is static noise on some third party apps, especially streaming apps.
Only solution: Try lower gain

Yeah very strange I had never noticed it before, lowering gain last night to Low 1 worked. Very strange. This was on my Lyra II, will have to test with my N40 & CH9T. I've used all 3 streaming and have never heard it.

 

[Andrew Harper]

So, I don't get OCG. According to the instructions I read, it's to get balanced sound without having to use balanced cable or connectors. Not sure it makes a whole lot of difference (haven't spent much time A-B'ing it).
Any thoughts?

From what I believe ACG is an enhancement using balanced connected headphones only. It makes no difference via the standard 3.5mm connection.

There are two options, standard balanced and then OCG which although sounds better (via the 2.5mm socket remember) I believe it ramps up the power to get a better, cleaner signal, so you drain the battery faster.

I will admit though the manual does describe this function in pure geek. haha.

There is a subtle difference via a balanced set of connections, however whether it's worth the extra battery drain I'm not sure. At home, in the quiet sure; but on a bus or outside maybe not so much.

 

[Lurk650]

Guys, its ACG and It's supposed to enhance Bal out even more though I don't really hear a difference, I still use it.

I think I even noticed that Bal out is louder and ACG is more like SE out level

 

[klepto]

I think this can be classified as a concealed weapon because I could bludgeon the f@#$ out of someone with this. It is seriously solid.

 

[Andrew Harper]

Guys, its ACG and It's supposed to enhance Bal out even more though I don't really hear a difference, I still use it.

I think I even noticed that Bal out is louder and ACG is more like SE out level

Corrected, that's what happens when don't feel like walking to the other room to check it's the right acronym! lol.

Yes I agree though, there is a very subtle difference. I've only used IEM's via balanced, there could be a more noticeable difference with a high dynamic range set of headphones for example.

 

[Lurk650]

Also, I did confirm this morning that when switching ACG to Balanced the volume is increased, seems to be by about 5 steps, using my ear-o-meter lol.

It's also still odd to me that I'm barely noticing the static from Spotify when using Normal and High Gain

 

[LYuen]

Also, I did confirm this morning that when switching ACG to Balanced the volume is increased, seems to be by about 5 steps, using my ear-o-meter lol.

It's also still odd to me that I'm barely noticing the static from Spotify when using Normal and High Gain

Have you turn on the auto volume function? It's under the ACG/BAL option page.
It shall neutralize the difference in volume between ACG and BAL.

ACG and BAL are different modes. There is no better one, just preference and headphone matching.

 

[Lurk650]

Have you turn on the auto volume function? It's under the ACG/BAL option page.
It shall neutralize the difference in volume between ACG and BAL.

ACG and BAL are different modes. There is no better one, just preference and headphone matching.

I'll test out the Auto Vol.

Official explanation of the two Balanced Drives:
"Balanced output via the 2.5mm 4-pole jack supports the more standard balanced (BTL) drive as well as the more esoteric Active Control Ground (ACG) drive. ACG drive is a different form of balanced drive where the amp’s cold side actively drives to create an ideally stable GND. Power gains and increased sound separation increase stability for a clean signal and greater sound clarity, especially compared to unbalanced drive."

So both are Balanced and I don't think it's really about headphone pairing. Not using Auto Volume and using Bal instead of ACG so increased vol can net better results for hard to drive headphones like my Amiron, will test out later