The RSA Protector balanced portable: Images and impressions 1st page, Please post your impressions . .

[jamato8]

The Protector balanced does better with the HD650's than the 6. I think for the HD650's to really sound good they need to be balanced.

 

[CountChoculaBot]

What about JH13, balanced protector vs single ended Woo 6? Thanks

 

[Junliang]

Sorry for the noob question.
But doesn't the source have to be balanced in the first place ?
Like line out from the ipod has a common ground, single left, single right.
How is it able to acheive "balanced" sound by just tweaking it in the circuit ?_?

plus the input of the protector is a mere 3.5mm jack..

 

[markmaxx]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Junliang /img/forum/go_quote.gif Sorry for the noob question. But doesn't the source have to be balanced in the first place ? Like line out from the ipod has a common ground, single left, single right. How is it able to acheive "balanced" sound by just tweaking it in the circuit ?_?

No it does not. It takes the single ended signal & split the phase to two signals equal to each others but out of phase 180 degree. One is positive & the other is negative.
Ray Samuels


Quote:

Originally Posted by Junliang /img/forum/go_quote.gif plus the input of the protector is a mere 3.5mm jack..

We have done a long search to find out a good quality connector that is sturdy, small, well build, with four pins and PC brd foot prints yet not expensive. We came with this connector that is just amazing, its size and look makes it the best choice for balanced portable use. It has very small foot prints. This connector could be used by all the manufacturers of both the IEMs & the portable amp designers. This way it unites us all in making it easy for the consumers to have one cable with the right connector to fit all the up coming balanced amps from every manufacturer. Making this connector a universal choice for all balanced portable amps will give us many choices for other amps or IEMs with out the worry of what adaptor should I get to make this work with that.

We have already been in contact with JH Audio regarding the balanced cables for the PRO13s. We will do the same with Westone & the Ultimate Ears by posting the part # of both the male & female of this connector. The most important think we would like to do is posting the wires termination, both the positive & the negative as to which pins # the left & right drivers have been assigned. This way it makes the termination matching for all IEMs cables & the portable amp’s connectors.
To be continued …
RSA

 

[Junliang]

Mark, are you RSA ?
Otherwise, I believe it would be appropriate if you put his answers in quotes.

Man, the first answer just topple the reasoning behind the importance of a balanced source in a balanced setup.. like in a laptop balanced setup, a balaced dac like the Cambridge Audio DacMagic is needed to output balanced signal to the balanced amp.
I guess whether its true balanced or not can only be confirmed by a long term balanced user =/

With regards to the second answer, I was referring to the input of the protector, and not the output.
I believe Ray would never make such a mistake.

 

[midoo1990]

Jamato,how does it compare to woo6 or desktop amps in the 800-1000$ region?I have a feeling that the protector will be priced in the 400-450$ region,we'll see what happens...

 

[jelt2359]

Preorder has started for first 200 units. $475 black, $490 white and clear.

 

[OPTiK]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jelt2359 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Preorder has started for first 200 units. $475 black, $490 white and clear.

It's $50 off that price for preorder.

 

[mesasone]

Hmmm, the price on the Protector is much more attractive than I was anticipating (I was expecting $600+). I went ahead and threw in my hat for one.

I'd be interested in listening impressions vs the Fi.Quest if you get the opportunity John. Do you think the the Protector has the cojones to drive some of the more demanding phones, such as the AKG K701?

EDIT: To clarify, I'm talking about the Protector in balanced operation vs the Fi.Quest

 

[markmaxx]

Quote:

Mark, are you RSA ? Otherwise, I believe it would be appropriate if you put his answers in quotes.

No,,,, next time

Man, the first answer just topple the reasoning behind the importance of a balanced source in a balanced setup.. like in a laptop balanced setup, a balaced dac like the Cambridge Audio DacMagic is needed to output balanced signal to the balanced amp.
I guess whether its true balanced or not can only be confirmed by a long term balanced user =/

Quote:

With regards to the second answer, I was referring to the input of the protector, and not the output. I believe Ray would never make such a mistake.

I missed the input. Sorry.

 

[googleli]

Would the protector be able to do well with HD800?

 

[mesasone]

Quote:

Originally Posted by googleli /img/forum/go_quote.gif Would the protector be able to do well with HD800?

A few members have posted quick listening impressions with the HD800 in the MOT thread - just a quick search in that thread brings up these:

Quote:

Originally Posted by IPodPJ /img/forum/go_quote.gif xuan87, There are two 8.4V batteries. From my meet impressions: "The most time I spent with a single person tonight was with Ray at dinner. We had great conversation all throughout dinner. He is a genuinely good person and I wish him all the success in the world -- not like he will need any luck... the Protector is just amazing and it will change the way everyone listens to portable rigs. Since I don't have any IEMs, I hooked up my HD800 to this little marvel. When paired with Ray's Meridian, I was shocked just how good it sounded. It was musical and detailed, had a large soundstage like you'd expect from any HOME balanced amp, and had plenty of balls to drive it louder than I'd want to listen -- on LOW GAIN!! I felt the medium gain setting sounded best with the HD800 and HD600. But this amp can probably drive any headphone you could throw at it, including the DT880/600. Ray doesn't need any luck with this amp, he's going to sell a boat load! If I had to be without a home balanced amp, I could be plenty satisfied with a nice source and the Protector. It really can keep up with big boys. I don't know what Ray's secret is, and while not all of his other gear suits my tastes, this little amp has a Napoleon complex and will stomp on many of the home selections costing many multiples of its price."

Quote:

Originally Posted by shaizada /img/forum/go_quote.gif For anyone waiting on this...the Protector balanced drive is something waiting for regardless. The sound was astonishing and on level with desktop amps. I mean here I was listening to the HE90, Jade and Stax through the A10 (about a $12 ~$13k rig), and this little protector with the HD800 and the HD600 did not give up an iota of performance to this big rig. Asking for more than that is just something not worth it... If Ray makes his portables sound better in the future....I'm getting rid of my home amps as there will simply be no need sound wise. This Protector ALREADY has me thinking! Something that just wasn't possible a few years ago. But times are a changing. Ray should be able to get ALL the preorders in from what little I know about the batteries supply. It's all about getting those lithium ion batteries at this point. If you pre-ordered, you have nothing to worry about. Just wait.

 

[Mr Do]

So how does one pre-order a Protector?

Thanks.
Do!

 

[SoupRKnowva]

go over the the sponsored thread, and say you want one

he just made the announcement thread the preorder thread today

 

[kunalraiker]

I was feeling is there a way I could balance my RE0's and my HD 25-1 II,i know some will feel its a stupid idea, but I don't know much about balanced setups.