[ServinginEcuador]

Does anyone have experience using the RKV headamp teamed up with some low impedance cans WITHOUT the addition of the impedancer thingy to go with it?? I am looking to buy an RKV to go with my Sony CD3Ks, and want to make sure it works well without the addition of another $250 part.

Please let me know what headphones you used with the RKV and whether or not it worked well or not!!!


Thanks!!!

 

[88Sound]

Hi ServinginEcuador,

Only my opinion of course.....

So far I've tried the Grado HP-2, RS1, 325, Audio Technica W2002, W100, and Etymotic ETY4S.

All of these phones exhibit a background hiss at zero volume without the impedancer on my RKV. IMO the HP-2 is the only passable phone amongst these because the hiss is not as apparent. Even the ETY4S (97 Ohms?) have background hiss that is completely alleviated with the 32 Ohm setting on the impedancer.

The more sensitive your low impedance phones are the louder the hiss will be. The W2002's are probably the most sensitive of the bunch and require the impedancer.

If the type of music you listen to has no quiet passages the hiss may not bother you.

An amp at this level requires the impedancer with low impedance phones to sound it's best. You can always get the RKV now, see what you think and get the impedancer later.

With the impedancer all of the above mentioned phones will play music painted on a silent background.......ahhh......

 

[grinch]

my ety 4s, grado rs-1 and sr-325 all exhibit a bit of hiss. the 325 and rs-1 are much worse than the etys though. the etys it is much quieter, if you turn up the volume it gets louder and louder (with no music playing). i have bought the impedancer and it is en route to me, so hopefully that'll alleviate the situation. i really can't wait for it, imagine the rs-1 with slightly rolled-off highs..

also, keep in mind that the instruction manual explicitly states not to use low-impedance headphones with the amp, for it can injure the amp. i've tried the above headphones with the amp, but never used them for a long period of time. etys seem safer, as the manual states that cans with impedance lower than 100ohms can damage it (i think). i'd keep that in mind if you're not planning on getting the impedancer.

we tried the cd3000's (or was it the cd1700's?) at the ny head-fi meet with my rkv and joelongwood seemed to really like them. i personally think those sony cans kinda suck, so you might not want to hear my idea on that setup. they did exhibit a bit of a hiss, i'd really suggest going for the impedancer if you plan on using this as your long-term setup.

 

[ServinginEcuador]

Thanks guys, I've decided to go with the RKV and Impedanzer combo!! I was worried tis would degrade the sound quality by going thru another component, but from what I've heard this affect is minimal.

How much did you pay for yours, and where did you get it?? I've seen Meier Audio selling it for like $180, but is there a distributor in the US who sells this stuff??

 

[88Sound]

ServinginEcuador,

Do yourself a favor and order the impedancer from Jan. He has the best price, highest intregrity, and if you ever have a problem his support is excellent. Although I don't have any personal experience with any US distributors, from what I've read they are the exact opposite.

 

[ServinginEcuador]

Got it. I am going to go ahead and order the Impedanzer from Jan. Is there any import tax issues when ordering from him when the item reaches our shores??

 

[88Sound]

I'd ask Jan to make sure but I paid import taxes only on the RKV. I think the cost of the impedancer is below what they charge import tax on in the US.

 

[ServinginEcuador]

Since I am contemplating ordering the RKV from him also, can I ask how much you paid in tax on the RKV??? I am hoping it is very little since this is already an expensive purchase!!

 

[88Sound]

ServinginEcuador,

YGPM.

 

[ServinginEcuador]

Thanks Jim!! I got it. Thanks for the info.