[muah]

thanks, -10 seems to be the sweet spot with LO from 380.

 

[bmichels]

thanks, -10 seems to be the sweet spot with LO from 380.

 
Well I used another set-up with my friend's AK380 & KSE1500:    
 
- input pad 0 on the KSE1500 and volume set at 100%
- using only HUGO's volume knob to set-up the final volume.

 

[muah]

so you are running 380 to Hugo to KSE?

Well I used another set-up with my friend's AK380 & KSE1500:    

- input pad 0 on the KSE1500 and volume set at 100%
- using only HUGO's volume knob to set-up the final volume.

 

[bmichels]

Quote:

so you are running 380 to Hugo to KSE?

 
Yes this is how my Friend uses his KSE1500.  The HUGO in between definitively improves SQ versus AK380 direct to KSE1500.
 
 
 

 

[spook76]

My intention of this post is not to criticize a particular product.

I would caution against using any DAP like the AK380 with the amplifier module which requires you to engage the input pad on the KSE1500 to lower the decibel level for the avoidance of clipping. I boosted my Chord Mojo to line level and engaged the input pad to -10dB just to test the sound. While I found the sound stage did improve the price was a material loss in clarity and transient response (attack). I do know engaging the input pad does not send the sound through the KSE's DAC but it may require some digital processing to lower the decibel level. I leave the engineering to more qualified people.

Thankfully, I can utilizing the Mojo without using the input pad. I have the Mojo set at aquamarine to light blue and the KSE1500 at 0dB on the input pad with the volume at 11-13.

I am not advocating Chord products, only cautioning prospective purchasers of the KSE1500 that it is very source dependant system.

Sorry for the edit but my friend MCoupe called me to help clarify my post.

 

[jude]

...I do know engaging the input pad does not send the sound through the KSE's DAC but it may require some digital processing to lower the decibel level...

 
The input pad is analog, and (itself) requires no digital processing. Here's a breakdown of the signal path scenarios:
 

1. Analog line-in, BYPASS EQ (with or without input pad applied) = the path is analog from input to earphones.
2. Analog line-in, EQ engaged (with or without input pad applied) = the path is analog-->ADC-->EQ-->DAC--->output stage-->earphones.
3. USB-in (EQ engaged or disengaged, with or without input pad applied) = DAC-->output stage-->earphones.

 
I've not noticed any drop in clarity from the use of the input pad (not said to dispute your findings, only as a statement of my own experience(s) with the KSE1500).

 

[spook76]

The input pad is analog, and (itself) requires no digital processing. Here's a breakdown of the signal path scenarios:

[COLOR=222222]

• Analog line-in, BYPASS EQ (with or without input pad applied) = the path is analog from input to earphones.
  
• Analog line-in, EQ engaged (with or without input pad applied) = the path is analog-->ADC-->EQ-->DAC--->output stage-->earphones.
  
• USB-in (EQ engaged or disengaged, with or without input pad applied) = DAC-->output stage-->earphones.
  

[/COLOR]
I've not noticed any drop in clarity from the use of the input pad (not said to dispute your findings, only as a statement of my own experience(s) with the KSE1500).

Thanks Jude I stand corrected.

 

[spook76]

The input pad is analog, and (itself) requires no digital processing. Here's a breakdown of the signal path scenarios:

[COLOR=222222]

• Analog line-in, BYPASS EQ (with or without input pad applied) = the path is analog from input to earphones.
  
• Analog line-in, EQ engaged (with or without input pad applied) = the path is analog-->ADC-->EQ-->DAC--->output stage-->earphones.
  
• USB-in (EQ engaged or disengaged, with or without input pad applied) = DAC-->output stage-->earphones.
  

[/COLOR]
I've not noticed any drop in clarity from the use of the input pad (not said to dispute your findings, only as a statement of my own experience(s) with the KSE1500).

Jude,

Apologies but I have a follow up question. How does the KSE limit the decibel level on a purely analog basis. Does the signal with the input pad engaged travel a different path from input to output through the KSE than if the input pad is not engaged?

Thanks

 

[ohotonge]

 

 

https://www.seeko.co.kr/zboard4/zboard.php?id=m_phones&page=1&sn1=&divpage=1&sn=off&ss=on&sc=off&select_arrange=headnum&desc=asc&no=144

 

[AnakChan]

Weird...wonder if that's accurate....over 10ms+ decay in the lower midrange and below? Maybe I don't know how to read graphs.

 

[spook76]

Weird...wonder if that's accurate....over 10ms+ decay in the lower midrange and below? Maybe I don't know how to read graphs.

Also note the treble roll at 10kHz off looks greater with the KSE1500 than the SE846 which makes no sense to anyone who has heard and compared to two earphones.

 

[ohotonge]

Also note the treble roll at 10kHz off looks greater with the KSE1500 than the SE846 which makes no sense to anyone who has heard and compared to two earphones.

Measurements after 10kh is grey area in any setup, but having said that, what you hear could be a difference in 10kh peak level, which 1500 has more.

 

[spook76]

Measurements after 10kh is grey area in any setup, but having said that, what you hear is difference in 10kh peak.

When you compare the decay of the cymbals between the KSE1500 and SE846 which extend beyond the 10kHz peak it still does not correlate to what even a layman like me hears.

 

[ohotonge]

When you compare the decay of the cymbals between the KSE1500 and SE846 which extend beyond the 10kHz peak it still does not correlate to what even a layman like me hears.

Sorry, what do you mean by 'decay'?

 

[spook76]

Sorry, what do you mean by 'decay'?

You could call it extension as well. The sound made after the strike (the shhhhhhh until the end).