Check out the Earman Sparrow. Much better than the Dragonfly Cobalt while using a good balanced cable.
Shure SE846 Impressions Thread
- Thread starter jelt2359
- Start date
Do you know the output impedance for the sparrow?
Specifications
| Input | USB C Female | |
| Output | 3.5 mm | |
| 2.5 mm Balanced | ||
| Power | 2.5 mm Balanced | 3.5 mm |
| 2.0 Vrms into 32 Ohm | 1.4 Vrms into 32 Ohm | |
| 4.0 Vrms into 600 Ohm | 2.0 Vrms into 600 Ohm | |
| Dimensions | (L x W x H) | 42 x 8 x 22 mm |
| Audio formats | ||
| DSD | 64 / 128 DoP | |
| DXD | 384/352.5 kHz | |
| PCM | Up to 384 kHz | |
| MQA Rendering | Up to 384 kHz |
Yes I saw that too but it doesn’t have the output impedance which is fundamental Information when pairing to low impedance headphones like the SE846s.
Have you been able to compare it to the DFC to give us a comparison? Why do you feel it is “much better”?
Last edited:
For me the Sparrow's SQ via single ended sounds similar to that of the Cobalt listening with the se846, fiio fh7 and beyerdynamic t5p. Moving to the balance output, the fh7 and the t5p really sound much improved (clarity, dynamics, stage) as much as I precieve (did not try the se846 balanced).
Have a look here as well https://audiofool.reviews/2020/07/25/earmen-sparrow/
https://www.headfonia.com/earmen-sparrow-review/3/
Have a look here as well https://audiofool.reviews/2020/07/25/earmen-sparrow/
https://www.headfonia.com/earmen-sparrow-review/3/
Last edited:
Going to throw a controversial hat in the ring; the 846 really don't need to be run balanced. It's all well and good you saying the Sparrow is better balanced than the cobalt single ended, but that doesn't mean a whole lot when the comparison isn't done with the 846. I wouldn't be advocating people with a cobalt run out to buy the sparrow unless they want a balanced option. Most often when a device has both single ended and balanced, the balanced sounds better because that's what it's been optimised for, the single ended is merely there for convenience. As the cobalt only has a single ended out you can be sure that's what it's circuitry has been designed around.
Not pretending to advocate anything. Just tried to share an experience with a new DAC.
That's cool, it was just your claim of "much better" is a phrase that gets used with a bit too much verve around these parts. There's really not that much of a difference between my Dangerous Source and PAW S1 in reality.
That was my original point. Subjective comments like “much better” need to be justified.
Last edited:
I still can’t find any info regarding the output impedance for it. It’s a fundamental detail for a headphone amp and concerning that it’s so difficult to find information.
I think it’s worth looking into but I can’t see anyone claiming this is a DF slayer (alternative, yes, but not “much better”) and more importantly I can’t find the output impedance.
Guys. For me (I am not a professional audiophile) , the SQ of the Earman Sparrow via the balanced output (with the FH7 and the T5p headphones), is superior to the SQ via the DFC using 3.5 to 2.5 adapter for the same headphones.
I recomnend further reading of reviews, and comparisons.
I recomnend further reading of reviews, and comparisons.
Last edited:
Appreciated but with all due respect considering that this thread is for shure SE846s that have a particularly low impedance and that we (or at least I) cannot find any mention of the output impedance of the sparrow man your experience with other headphones may not be applicable and could even be counterproductive for someone looking to match a DAC/DAP to the SE846s.
I think it’s good that you mentioned it so that people can try and learn more about it but the lack of technical info does work against it for now.
Last edited:
Wow! really did not want to start such a debate.
I do not have any further tech details regarding output impedance of either the SE or Balance outputs. as a matter of fact it does not interest me a bit. All I care is whether I like or dislike what I get from my gear.
Thanks
I do not have any further tech details regarding output impedance of either the SE or Balance outputs. as a matter of fact it does not interest me a bit. All I care is whether I like or dislike what I get from my gear.
Thanks
I think it's great to have more impressions, not trying to discourage you in anyway! It was simply the use of describing A as much better than B.
I considered the Sparrow myself and it was on my shortlist for a long time, along with the DFC and S1 (and a myriad of more dongley-dongles). After reading the reviews, and especially the comparisons of the Sparrow in the Headfonia article you referenced earlier, I was actually slightly dissuaded from it. It sounds like it has an extremely resolving and neutral signature, perhaps even the best in its class, which personally are qualities I don't seek; I'm a more organic, warmer, lusher kinda guy and would willingly give up (perhaps perceived) resolution for the qualities I seek. Before I jumped on the S1 I was more than content using my V30 as my DAP, but in the end it was just too analytical in presentation for me, hence the purchase of the S1.
That's all I was alluding to, that someone's much better could just as likely be to another's detriment.
Users who are viewing this thread
