[Clayton SF]

Quote:

http://www.highfidelity.pl/@main-135&lang=en
Are there some kind of noise or hum audibly when Leben CS300x are used with the HD800 or others transparent headphones?

An absolutely fantastic article. Thank you, Torero.
 

 

[RedBull]

I swapped RCA cables, RCA port from my NFB-2 (cos I request to change the ACSS to RCA), but still the same.
 
Hmm, I guess I have to use the Balancer then.  I didn't have problem before with Darkvoice 337 because it was dual mono, so I have to adjust left-right separately anyway.
How often do you have to use Balancer with your amps?
 
I'll try mono next time, sounds like easier to set perfectly center soundstage.

 

[RedBull]

Quote:

This may be totally unrelated but it happens with me and my HD650 and DT990 600 ohms. Because my hearing isn't the same for both ears (unfortunately). I mean it's very close but my right ear picks up frequencies slightly higher than my left. I can tell this with symphony triangles and tambourines off in the distance--one ear picks up the nuances and shimmering sound of those instruments and the other (left ear) picks up just the striking of the instrument making the shimmer of the tambourine sound more like the closing of a high-hat from a drum kit.
 
So the conclusion is (for me at least), since the HD650 aren't as detailed as the DT990, the HD650 sound a bit off balance compared to the 990. I think the 990 frequency extension compensates for my slightly dulled hearing in my left ear. The same thing happens to the same ears when I switch the L/R cups on my ears.
 
So it's all in my head.

 
It make sense, maybe my left ear is more sensitive to certain to certain frequency.  I notice I always pick up phone with left ear, I just feel it more clearer than my right ear.
 
Quote:

http://www.highfidelity.pl/@main-135&lang=en
 
Are there some kind of noise or hum audibly when Leben CS300x are used with the HD800 or others transparent headphones?

Nope, no hum with my LCD-2 and HD650, although I heard a very slightly buzz with the shop's Leben when no music is playing.

 

[Clayton SF]

My Leben has always had a slight hum.

 

[Skylab]

My first one (a Japan 100V model) did as well.  My second two did not unless I had my awful kitchen dimmers on...

 

[dminches]

I can picture it now - Rob is in his Leben listening room yelling down to the kids "turn up the lights!"

 

[Skylab]

Quote:

I can picture it now - Rob is in his Leben listening room yelling down to the kids "turn up the lights!"

I actually begged my wife to let me rip out the kitchen dimmers...to no avail...

 

[dminches]

Are there any dimmer systems that do not causes similar problems?

 

[Clayton SF]

The San Francisco neighborhood I live in must be the den of hum-inducing gremlins for specific amps. Although my Leben and WA22 hum, the rest of my amps are dead silent. The quietest of all are the Decware amps. (How can an amp be quieter than quiet?

-- that word looks funny when you look at it too long.)

 

[Skylab]

Quote:

Are there any dimmer systems that do not causes similar problems?

Unfortunately, according to my electrician, no.  And even plugged into a power line filter, the problem persists.  But it isn't just the Leben at all.  My subwoofers buzz.  I can hear a buzz through speakers in either of my speaker rigs.  Turn the dimmers off - all is well.  And this is even on my main hi-fi, which has its own dedicated 20A home-run circuit!
 

 
Quote:

The San Francisco neighborhood I live in must be the den of hum-inducing gremlins for specific amps. Although my Leben and WA22 hum, the rest of my amps are dead silent. The quietest of all are the Decware amps. (How can an amp be quieter than quiet?

-- that word looks funny when you look at it too long.)

 
My WA22 hums a little, too, even without the dimmers.  Like with all tube amps, this is more audible with high-sensitivity/efficiency headphones.  With the LCD-2 or HE-6, not audible at all.
 
 

 

[RedBull]

Quote:

The San Francisco neighborhood I live in must be the den of hum-inducing gremlins for specific amps. Although my Leben and WA22 hum, the rest of my amps are dead silent. The quietest of all are the Decware amps. (How can an amp be quieter than quiet?

-- that word looks funny when you look at it too long.)

Do you mind to share a bit how the Leben sounds different with the WA22, this question also applies for Rob

, and other who may have WA22.
My combination of NFB-2 + Acrolink RCA + Leben + LCD-2 proven to be a little too lush to a level of too much weight at the vocal.
If I skip the NFB-2 and use my CDP DAC directly, the sound is more leaner, but to the expense of slightly more grain.
I'm curious how WA22 sound different from the Leben, WA22 look very nice too. 
I find Leben has a little bit of upper mid emphasize compared to my BCL, which is very flat, but timbre and attack is more realistic on the Leben.
 
What DAC do you guys use with your Leben?
 
Quote:

Unfortunately, according to my electrician, no.  And even plugged into a power line filter, the problem persists.  But it isn't just the Leben at all.  My subwoofers buzz.  I can hear a buzz through speakers in either of my speaker rigs.  Turn the dimmers off - all is well.  And this is even on my main hi-fi, which has its own dedicated 20A home-run circuit!
 
My WA22 hums a little, too, even without the dimmers.  Like with all tube amps, this is more audible with high-sensitivity/efficiency headphones.  With the LCD-2 or HE-6, not audible at all.
 

I'm about to say you have dedicated audio powerline but yet you still have hum.  Man! this dimmer is very powerful!  Luckily I don't have any dimmer around.

 

[Wedge]

I thought that the Leben was a little less lush than the WA-22, I tried it with both the 5998s and 7236.  I also tried a few different 6SN7s.  I like the WA-22, with the LCD-2, but this combo was a little much as opposed to the Leben.  Personally I thought the Leben was fantastic with the LCD-2.  I use a PS Audio DLIII as my DAC.  Unfortuantely, I kinda have to go by memory since I sold my WA-22, so I guess take this for what its worth, an opinion.
 
Cheers
 

 

[dminches]

Wedge, what is your definition of "lush?"

 

[RedBull]

Quote:

I thought that the Leben was a little less lush than the WA-22, I tried it with both the 5998s and 7236.  I also tried a few different 6SN7s.  I like the WA-22, with the LCD-2, but this combo was a little much as opposed to the Leben.  Personally I thought the Leben was fantastic with the LCD-2.  I use a PS Audio DLIII as my DAC.  Unfortuantely, I kinda have to go by memory since I sold my WA-22, so I guess take this for what its worth, an opinion.
 
Cheers
 

 
Thanks for your comparison, that helps me not to buy WA-22, you just saved my wallet

  I was very intrigue with the look and 2 watt output with 7236, but now maybe I give it a missed.
Seems like is is quite consistent with most of Woo 'house sound'.  I don't want an amp that's more lush than the Leben.
More comment on this comparison welcome.
 
Quote:

Wedge, what is your definition of "lush?"

To me, lush is something like smoothening of the sound, with proper weight, no sharp edges, but the detail is there, organic, more like watching the singer in a night club under smooth lightning, less accurate but more romantic, more pleasing to see, rather than under a bright spotlight, lean, clean, more accurate but more sharp edges. 
If that makes sense at all 

  that's my genuine expression from the heart.

 

[RedBull]

Definition from Headroom
 
Lush
Usually attributed to vacuum tube audio gear which produces a relatively large amount of even-order harmonic distortion. This type of distortion is often plesant to the ear, and produces a rich, warm, ambiance to the sound.