Question about crossfeed

[Beauregard]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSloth A good example of a well implimented crossfeed. It should be something that you don't notice until you turn it off, and then think 'where did everything go?'. If you turn it on and suddenly everything changes drastically, it's not working.

When I got my first HeadRoom amp in 1994, they suggested that it might take up to 40 hours of listening with crossfeed engaged before the brain acclimated. I'm not sure it took that long for me, but at first the effect was apparent only on yer basic 'early Beatles' dual mono stereo. However, after the mental break-in, it was startling the way the soundstage would flatten when I switched off the crossfeed. After years now, it's obvious after only a few bars of lateralized sound if I've left the switch in the off position. And this is with the classical music that I listen to most - and many people believe doesn't need or even benefit from crossfeed.

People's response to crossfeed in its various implementations varies tremendously. But I'd strongly suggest to someone who's really interested in evaluating its efficacy - or is auditioning an amp with the feature - that they turn crossfeed on and leave it on for a week or so of continuous listening before experimenting with the effect of switching it on and off.

Best,
Beau

 

[TheSloth]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beauregard People's response to crossfeed in its various implementations varies tremendously. But I'd strongly suggest to someone who's really interested in evaluating its efficacy - or is auditioning an amp with the feature - that they turn crossfeed on and leave it on for a week or so of continuous listening before experimenting with the effect of switching it on and off. Best, Beau

You have struck upon not only good advice for trying out crossfeed, but for trying out any audio device in general. You have identified that A/Bing two options does not necessarily give you the means to tell which is superior - in fact A/Bing can do quite the opposite and make it impossible to hear them as anything except 'different presentations'. They may just be that, but sometimes one is better than the other and it cannot be immediately decided which is which.

That is another reason why so many of those so called DBT trials that said that there was no difference between amplifiers, or even Ray at meets with his little switch between cheap and expensive amps doesn't really tell you a great deal.

 

[GregVDS]

I listen with crosfeed all the time. I choosed the option to build everything, so M³ with OPA627, and Modified Linkwitz Crossfeed as input. The effect IS subtile to say the least, but that's only when you begin to use it. After some times, your hear somehow learn the effect, and you recognize it when changing. Now, to jump back without crossfeed is really awful, I need it, things fall in place in front in some sort of way.

I'm convinced this is one of the most useful feature to have in a headphone amp, DIY or bought.

All the best,

GregVDS