[sacundim]

So I just bought a Corda HA-2, which is giving me a really great improvement already before I've made my other planned upgrades (I'm running them between a Powerbook G4's line out and an HD 555; want to go up to a NAD C542 and either a DT 880 or HD 595).

However, I have noticed that if I set the amp at a listening volume similar to what I normally use (which isn't too high), it makes the insides of my ears tingle, which I find alarming. My take on this is that the amp has more headroom, and thus, while I'm setting it for the same average level as I'm used to, the peak levels I get are much, much higher. Another strange thing I've experienced is that listening with the amp seems to sometimes make me a bit dizzy.

Has anybody had similar experiences? Did you have to readjust your usual listening levels after getting an amp?

 

[zotjen]

Although I've never listened to the Corda, I think the only way it could damage your hearing is from excessive volume. Unless there is some sort of charge running through the amp, I would think the tingle is being caused from something else. Are you experiencing any distortion while listening through the amp? I also can't see how an amp can make you dizzy, but I must admit that certain recordings have had that effect.

 

[sacundim]

Quote:

Originally Posted by zotjen Are you experiencing any distortion while listening through the amp?

Oh, good heavens, no. The opposite.

 

[KZEE]

Pete Townshend of The Who has tinnitis (ringing in the ears) and he says he damaged his hearing not from playing his guitar through loud amplifiers, but from playing his guitar through headphones at too loud a listening level. I try to keep Townshend's experiences in mind and use an extra dose of caution with the volume level when listening to music through my phones.

 

[jlingo]

It's not really whether to Amp or not to Amp. But the volume that you are using. The purpose of Amp for audiophile is basically to souped up the sound quality for the better. so you should listen to similar sound volume with a lot better quality.

Also when you are using Amp, different, amp has different gain and different volume Pot sensitivity. so you have to adjust accordingly in terms of volume.

You can take your amp and headphone to your nearest audiologist, they will be able to determine whether you are listenting to excessive volume? Or might be some other complication that you were experiencing.

 

[zool]

I've had a similar experience, my guess is it was some ultra fine hairs inside my ear canal vibrating(or dancing for a funnier choice of word

) due to heavy bass slams.. Could this be correct?

It could also be earwax building up in your ear, maybe it's some natural defense mechanism from your body/brain trying to block that loud music out

.

 

[bobeau]

I think everyone's missing what sacundim is saying - an amp will flatten out the response curve, giving treble/bass extension. So it stands to reason at the same volume level the ear is getting more treble than it did before.

 

[sacundim]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobeau I think everyone's missing what sacundim is saying - an amp will flatten out the response curve, giving treble/bass extension. So it stands to reason at the same volume level the ear is getting more treble than it did before.

I'm not sure you're getting it either. I'm thinking about sound pressure levels, not extension.

Anyway, I knew I'd seen a thread once about this, and I managed to find it: DT880 and a tingling ear.

 

[earful]

after trying the superdual and rega ear with senns, (and the superdual with shure e5s and ety er6is), i concluded i simply could not use an amp attached to my ipod. they made listening painful - and i do not listen to loud music. i attribute at least part of the problem to some kind of hearing sensitivity: years ago an audiologist told me my hearing was beyond the normal range. so check your hearing. it may not just be a function of how loud the music is, but also of how sensitive your hearing is.

 

[sacundim]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlingo It's not really whether to Amp or not to Amp. But the volume that you are using.

Are you talking about average sound levels or peak sound levels? Because I said that I set the same average sound level as I'm used to, but that I suspect that the new amp is giving me much higher peak sound levels at that setting.

 

[Kirosia]

I only have this problem if my ears were already fatigued to begin with or I listen for long periods of time.

 

[sacundim]

I did two things:

1. Lower my listening volume.

2. Plug my phones into the HA-2's 120 ohm jack.

It still makes me a tiny bit dizzy, but the tingling inside my ears is gone...

 

[Enverxis]

Better SQ > Lesser SQ

Therefore with Better sound quality/less distortion you get less hearing damage

 

[sacundim]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Enverxis Better SQ > Lesser SQ Therefore with Better sound quality/less distortion you get less hearing damage

Does this mean that a source upgrade would help in that front?

 

[Slow_aetk]

The dizzyness you feel doesn't look good to me. You internal ear is also the mains center for equilibrium (vestibule), most problems there lead to some kind of "seasickness". Vision is the other most important equilibrium regulator, it can override minor disfunctions of the vestibule. If you listen with closed eyes, the only organ left is vestibule and it can cause dizziness if slighly deficient.

I may be worth consulting an Ear and Throat specialist.

Also try using the crossfeed to see if it makes any difference.