[Ge03]

Do you have balanced headphones? If so, which ones?
LCD-2 & HD800

For balanced headphone output, how important is it to have dual three-pin XLRs as well as a 4-pin XLR?
At the moment using pairs of 3 pin as I needed 3 pin on my DAC to link in to my active monitors. However I would buy a dedicated headphone amp with a 4 pin output.

In an ideal world, if you were shooting for ultimate status, 3 pin xlr output from DAC and 3 pin throughput (line in & line out) on the amp would be perfect

For a balanced amp, how important is it to also have single-ended outputs?
Not for me. I would rather see an adapter lead included.

What I would love to see is the option of a battery supply to create a truly portable system
I'm seriously looking at the RWA Audeze DAC/Amp combo and would love to see how you guys would interpret the same set of requirements.

 

[MorbidToaster]

Do you have balanced headphones? If so, which ones?
No, sadly.
 
If not, are you looking at balanced headphones or a balanced amp in the future?
Yes. I've taken a step back recently, but still plan to own a balanced pair in the future.
 
For balanced headphone output, how important is it to have dual three-pin XLRs as well as a 4-pin XLR?
I'd love to see 4-pin become the balanced standard. I'm not a fan of 3-pin. That said, 3-pin is not important to me.
 
For a balanced amp, how important is it to also have single-ended outputs?
I'd say it's a nice option and would allow people to own the amp before they get their entire set up done. I'd say pretty important for people without endless budgets.
 
If single-ended is important, is the quality of the single-ended outputs as important as the balanced outputs, or is this more of a “utility” thing so you can use all kinds of different headphones?
More utility than anything. I know I'd use SE as more of an inbetween while I got the rest of the rig together.

 

[Sonic Defender]

Do you have balanced headphones? If so, which ones?
Not yet, but within a year.
 
If not, are you looking at balanced headphones or a balanced amp in the future?
Totally looking at a balanced rig.
 
For balanced headphone output, how important is it to have dual three-pin XLRs as well as a 4-pin XLR?
4-pin would be nice, but either implementation would suffice.
 
For a balanced amp, how important is it to also have single-ended outputs?
I would say this is a good idea as long as it doesn't force any compromises into the design.
 
If single-ended is important, is the quality of the single-ended outputs as important as the balanced outputs, or is this more of a “utility” thing so you can use all kinds of different headphones?
Mostly utility, but if doing it in my mind it would be best to keep the quality of the outputs as high as possible. I like the idea of having another source for my unbalanced cans as well.
 
Cheers.

 

[BTGHeadphones]

 
Do you have balanced headphones? If so, which ones?

      -Not yet. 

If not, are you looking at balanced headphones or a balanced amp in the future?

     -Yes, I plan to get an (undecided) balanced amp in the near future.

For balanced headphone output, how important is it to have dual three-pin XLRs as well as a 4-pin XLR?

     -Not too knowledgeable on the perks and the downsides of either/both, so I have no preference. 

For a balanced amp, how important is it to also have single-ended outputs?

     -Significantly important. I would prefer a balanced amp to have a 1/4 jack. 

If single-ended is important, is the quality of the single-ended outputs as important as the balanced outputs, or is this more of a “utility” thing so you can use all kinds of different headphones?

     -I think the quality of the single-ended outputs are just as important as the balanced outputs, but it is also an added plus that you can use different kind of headphones with the single ended output.

 

[Downtheline1973]

Do you have balanced headphones? If so, which ones?
Not yet, but I plan to get a balanced cable for my HD650s and get the LCD-2
 
If not, are you looking at balanced headphones or a balanced amp in the future?
Yes.
 
For balanced headphone output, how important is it to have dual three-pin XLRs as well as a 4-pin XLR?
4-pin would work for me.
 
For a balanced amp, how important is it to also have single-ended outputs?
Yes it is important, unless a decent quality adapter is included.
 
If single-ended is important, is the quality of the single-ended outputs as important as the balanced outputs, or is this more of a “utility” thing so you can use all kinds of different headphones?
Utility, but of course Schiit is good.

 

[Theogenes]

Hey Jason, just read through the responses you're getting here. Any chance of getting a peak behind the curtain to get a better idea of what you guys are planning? Is this going to be a 'statement' product, as some have assumed, or is this part of a planned series (like the DACs)? Any idea yet on tubes vs SS vs hybrid? And of course, the most important question... 
 
When are we gonna see a Schiit product named Ragnarok??? (Might get some sort of promotional tie-in with Gwar on that one. Although it's probably in your best interests to avoid any and all associations with Gwar. Cuz they're scary.)
 

 

[Christofis]

 
Do you have balanced headphones? If so, which ones?
No
 
If not, are you looking at balanced headphones or a balanced amp in the future?
Would be interested in exploring
 
For balanced headphone output, how important is it to have dual three-pin XLRs as well as a 4-pin XLR?
Not very
 
For a balanced amp, how important is it to also have single-ended outputs?
Think would be a nice additional feature
 
If single-ended is important, is the quality of the single-ended outputs as important as the balanced outputs, or is this more of a “utility” thing so you can use all kinds of different headphones?
If implemented, then quality should be on par with balanced
 
 

 

[.Sup]

Cool stuff Jason!
 
 
Do you have balanced headphones? If so, which ones? I have HE-4 balanced but would reterminate HD-800 to balanced 4 pin

If not, are you looking at balanced headphones or a balanced amp in the future? I am looking for a balanced amp yes. Preferably tube amp.

For balanced headphone output, how important is it to have dual three-pin XLRs as well as a 4-pin XLR? I would only like 4 pin. I think it saves cost both for you as well as for me.

For a balanced amp, how important is it to also have single-ended outputs? Not very important, it is a balanced amp after al. 

If single-ended is important, is the quality of the single-ended outputs as important as the balanced outputs, or is this more of a “utility” thing so you can use all kinds of different headphones? Yes, if it offers single ended outputs as well as balanced then they must be of same quality otherwise I don't see any point in adding single ended.

 

 

[pooslice]

 
Do you have balanced headphones? If so, which ones?

LCD-2 with an 4-pin XLR and a 1/4 adaptor.

For balanced headphone output, how important is it to have dual three-pin XLRs as well as a 4-pin XLR?

I would be fine with just a 4-pin XLR

For a balanced amp, how important is it to also have single-ended outputs?

It would be great as I wouldn't have to balance future headphones just to use them with the amp.

If single-ended is important, is the quality of the single-ended outputs as important as the balanced outputs, or is this more of a “utility” thing so you can use all kinds of different headphones?

I hope the sound quality will at least be on the same level as the balanced output. If the quality of the single ended output is far away from the balanced i might just go for a purely singled ended amp to keep thing simple.

 

 

[FrederikS|TPU]

Do you have balanced headphones? If so, which ones?
Sennheiser HD600, Head-Direct: HE-5LE, HE-6, HE-500, HE-300, RE-ZERO, RE-272, JH AUDIO 16PRO, Westone ES5
 
If not, are you looking at balanced headphones or a balanced amp in the future?
Yes!
 
For balanced headphone output, how important is it to have dual three-pin XLRs as well as a 4-pin XLR?
Not important at all, 4-pin XLR is all that is needed, and perhaps an adapter to TRRS balanced and RSA balanced connector.
 
For a balanced amp, how important is it to also have single-ended outputs?
Not at all.
 
If single-ended is important, is the quality of the single-ended outputs as important as the balanced outputs, or is this more of a “utility” thing so you can use all kinds of different headphones? 
Not important.

 

[Butler]

Quote:

 
Here are the questions:
 
Do you have balanced headphones? If so, which ones?
If not, are you looking at balanced headphones or a balanced amp in the future?
For balanced headphone output, how important is it to have dual three-pin XLRs as well as a 4-pin XLR?
For a balanced amp, how important is it to also have single-ended outputs?
If single-ended is important, is the quality of the single-ended outputs as important as the balanced outputs, or is this more of a “utility” thing so you can use all kinds of different headphones?
 

 
1) I do not own a balanced headphone. I would not be able to afford one. Ever.
2) Not in the near future, no.
3) I would prefer it.
3) Again, preferred.
4) Utility. If I'm dropping money on something that expensive I want to be able to use it with anything and everything for the next years.
 
… And thanks for entering me in that there contest.  Planning on picking up Biifrost as a DAC for my new computer.
 
EDIT:
 
Always been bit of a skeptic when it comes to balanced, but I've never played around with a set up long enough to be able to say either way.
 

 

[Jason Stoddard]

Hey all, 
 
Thanks for the responses so far! Keep them coming--even if it's "I don't believe in all this balanced hoo-ha!"
 
As far as what we're planning, we're still working the details of the planned balanced product (or products)--hence this poll. It's really helping to clarify what we're going to provide as far as connectivity and features. We may decide to bring out a "minimum cost" balanced product (still not cheap), and another "maximally versatile" version as well. But that's all up in the air at the moment. 
 
The reason we're so focused on the single-ended (SE) output is that the balanced topology we're working with isn't just another "put two of the same amps in one box and run one inverted," deals--there's no good way to get a SE output (well, a quiet SE output) out of it. So the SE output would have to be an entirely separate amp section--which is why we're asking "how good's it gotta be?" Sounds like it will have to be **** good.
 
All the best,
Jason

 

[zzffnn]

Reply to Jason's questions by zzffnn
 
Do you have balanced headphones? If so, which ones?
>>> LCD-2s and Beyer T1s. Both have 4 pin XLRs.
 
If not, are you looking at balanced headphones or a balanced amp in the future?
>>> Depends on what headphone. HD650s for example, are said to sound better in balanced mode, not so much for Beyer T1. LCD-2s are somewhat in between. Cost also matters. Not for me atm.
 
For balanced headphone output, how important is it to have dual three-pin XLRs as well as a 4-pin XLR?
>>> I think 4 pin XLRs are good enough. Isn't it easy to reterminate between 3pin and 4 pin XLRs?
 
For a balanced amp, how important is it to also have single-ended outputs?
>>> Very important. I would like to have both.
 
If single-ended is important, is the quality of the single-ended outputs as important as the balanced outputs, or is this more of a “utility” thing so you can use all kinds of different headphones?
>>> Quality of SE output is as important as the XLR output.

 

[WNBC]

Maybe another question you can ask down the road in this thread is one of expense.
If balanced + high quality SE costs X and balanced + utility SE costs Y then how many people would choose X over Y.
Or as you mentioned the best option is two options:  less expensive balanced + utility SE (or no SE) and more expensive balanced + quality SE 
I'm now thinking the minimum priced balanced amp will be good for me and the Lyr will be around for my SE terminated headphones.
 
Thanks for listening to our needs
 
Quote:

Hey all, 
 
Thanks for the responses so far! Keep them coming--even if it's "I don't believe in all this balanced hoo-ha!"
 
As far as what we're planning, we're still working the details of the planned balanced product (or products)--hence this poll. It's really helping to clarify what we're going to provide as far as connectivity and features. We may decide to bring out a "minimum cost" balanced product (still not cheap), and another "maximally versatile" version as well. But that's all up in the air at the moment. 
 
The reason we're so focused on the single-ended (SE) output is that the balanced topology we're working with isn't just another "put two of the same amps in one box and run one inverted," deals--there's no good way to get a SE output (well, a quiet SE output) out of it. So the SE output would have to be an entirely separate amp section--which is why we're asking "how good's it gotta be?" Sounds like it will have to be **** good.
 
All the best,
Jason

 

 

[Yikes]

[size=10.5pt]Based upon what someone wrote I wanted to clarify something.[/size]
[size=10.5pt] [/size]
[size=10.5pt]It is perfectly OK to make a Single Ended (¼” or 1/8” stereo jack) to balanced (4 pin or two 3 pin XLR’s) adapter.[/size]
[size=10.5pt] [/size]
[size=10.5pt]It however is not always OK to make or consider using a Balanced to Single Ended adapter (4 pin or two 3 pin XLR to ¼” or 1/8”).[/size]
[size=10.5pt] [/size]
[size=10.5pt]I won’t get into the technical reasons, but I’d caution any balanced amp owners that are considering using a balanced to single ended adapter to TALK TO THE MANUFACTURER before doing so.[/size]