[NickT23]

Hi why not get Toping to deal with this issue ?

 

[Julesonbass]

sadly the warranty has passed and the device was gifted to me.

as for the size of the stock volume knob:

 

[NickT23]

sadly the warranty has passed and the device was gifted to me.

as for the size of the stock volume knob:

Still can be serviced.

 

[borkenarrou]

Deleted, posted in wrong thread.

 

[killthrash]

Hi there!

Quick question for the community. I have the Sennheiser HD8XX sticker modded, and I'm trying to get the best connection to my A90 amp, source is an RME ADI-2 DAC FS via XLR balanced. When I hook up my 8XX to my A90 via XLR cable, there's a significant and VERY audible increase in energy, bass slam, dynamics, and soundstage over the stock OEM 4.4mm balanced cable.

Could this be due to the type of connection? Does a straight balanced XLR setup always sound better than going through the 4.4mm pentaconn? Or would this be due to the actual cable quality? My XLR cable is a Bucktown cable, pretty standard but nice. I don't have another set of cables to A/B test this.

 

[Vijay74]

Hi there!

Quick question for the community. I have the Sennheiser HD8XX sticker modded, and I'm trying to get the best connection to my A90 amp, source is an RME ADI-2 DAC FS via XLR balanced. When I hook up my 8XX to my A90 via XLR cable, there's a significant and VERY audible increase in energy, bass slam, dynamics, and soundstage over the stock OEM 4.4mm balanced cable.

Could this be due to the type of connection? Does a straight balanced XLR setup always sound better than going through the 4.4mm pentaconn? Or would this be due to the actual cable quality? My XLR cable is a Bucktown cable, pretty standard but nice. I don't have another set of cables to A/B test this.

There should not be much difference between XLR out and and 4.4 out from A90. And though as per my experience, different cables may sound different but don't think by this much! Two things to check:
1. Make sure at one time only one connection is active. It should not happen that while testing with 4.4 out, your XLR is also plugged in at the same time.
2. Buy XLR female to 4.4 male adapter, if you can. This may be helpful later on to connect with devices having 4.4 out only. Using this, you can check both XLR out and 4.4 out using same cable. If you don't hear much of difference using same cable but using different output ports, then its not the ports making the difference. But if you do, please do share as that would be surprising revelation!

 

[killthrash]

There should not be much difference between XLR out and and 4.4 out from A90. And though as per my experience, different cables may sound different but don't think by this much! Two things to check:
1. Make sure at one time only one connection is active. It should not happen that while testing with 4.4 out, your XLR is also plugged in at the same time.
2. Buy XLR female to 4.4 male adapter, if you can. This may be helpful later on to connect with devices having 4.4 out only. Using this, you can check both XLR out and 4.4 out using same cable. If you don't hear much of difference using same cable but using different output ports, then its not the ports making the difference. But if you do, please do share as that would be surprising revelation!

Thanks so much for the response. I figured out that it was in fact the cable that was improving the sound. I created a 1/4" adapter for my XLR cable and plugged it directly into my RME ADI-2 and got the same bass slam and more open soundstage. Down the cable rabbit hole I go....

 

[Vijay74]

Thanks so much for the response. I figured out that it was in fact the cable that was improving the sound. I created a 1/4" adapter for my XLR cable and plugged it directly into my RME ADI-2 and got the same bass slam and more open soundstage. Down the cable rabbit hole I go....

I would like to test such amazing cable if I come across one. However I tested both XLR out and 4.4 out ports of A90 using same headphone with XLR connector and then using additional XLR to 4.4 adapter, and found both to deliver same SQ and volume.

 

[nhitnho]

I am using chord mojo in Line out mode to feed the A90 and HD650
I am looking to get tubes in.
Can anyone suggest that I should setup
1. Mojo -> A90 (in pre mode) -> tube amp -> HD650

2. Mojo -> tubes amp (may be in pre amp mode if it has) -> A90 -> HD650

please help to tell me which option should I go

Thanks in advance

 

[TwtBeard]

Hello,

I have got the exact same setup though I am waiting for.my tube amp to arrive...what kind of tube amp is it? Conventional wisdom usually states put the tube amp first but this is based only on what I have read... You know what, I probably don't know what the *** I am talking about.

If it.is an OTL powerful enough to drive the 650 alone then I would buy two 3.5mm to twin RCA cables and plug in whichever amp you plan to use at the time of listening...this would give you a tube option and a solid state option.

 

[TheMiddleSky]

I am using chord mojo in Line out mode to feed the A90 and HD650
I am looking to get tubes in.
Can anyone suggest that I should setup
1. Mojo -> A90 (in pre mode) -> tube amp -> HD650

2. Mojo -> tubes amp (may be in pre amp mode if it has) -> A90 -> HD650

please help to tell me which option should I go

Thanks in advance

i suggest get the tube amp, and try both set up in direct comparison. If you don't like the additional A90 in chain, you always can sell them later.

I only ever tried SMSl D400EX + A90D + Cayin HA-3A. I like without Topping in the middle. However, when I switch Topping with Singxer SA-1, actually I quite like the result, more than SMSL to Cayin Tube amp direct. Synergy and preference are the keys here.

 

[BowWazoo]

My suggestion: DAC with tubes and A90
as amp.

The LAB12 DAC1 Reference blows my mind every day

 

[Melt28]

I'm getting some pretty brutal interference from my A90/D90 stack. With my headphones in I can hear the radio playing. Also, my Fearless S8F IEMs hiss a lot at higher volumes and crackle when I turn the volume knob. Does anyone know of any fixes?

 

[Baten]

I'm getting some pretty brutal interference from my A90/D90 stack. With my headphones in I can hear the radio playing. Also, my Fearless S8F IEMs hiss a lot at higher volumes and crackle when I turn the volume knob. Does anyone know of any fixes?

This is all connected with XLR?

 

[Riversalt]

Nobody changed the knob yet?