Watts Up...?

[technobear]

Wonder for focal sopra's n1 with specs 89db 8ohm nominal, and 3.9ohm minimal would TT2 cope via XLR fine straight, or as always it's more safe via SE / HP? Thanks.

Rob answered this yesterday: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/watts-up.800264/post-17328514

You cannot drive 8 ohm speakers from the XLRs.

 

[mark44]

Correct.



You can use either, as both are connected to the same amp, enabled by different relays.


No headphone amp - headphone or RCA is identical, except different relays. When in headphone mode, RCA and XLR OPs are disabled, and headphone OPs are disabled when no headphones are plugged in.

In your opinion, to connect Chord M-scaler and Chord Dave, which Wave BNC cable is best? The Storm, the Stratos or the Stream?

Thank you very much

 

[Rob Watts]

I don't know - I have only used the Stream.

 

[mark44]

I don't know - I have only used the Stream.

Have you tried connecting the Dave +M-Scaler to HeadAmp GS-X mk2 ?

The GS-X mk2 is very neutral as a headphone amp and so I would be very interested in comparing the Dave +M-Scaler to the HeadAmp GS-X mk2 with Dave +M-Scaler.

Thank you very much

 

[Slim1970]

Have you tried connecting the Dave +M-Scaler to HeadAmp GS-X mk2 ?

The GS-X mk2 is very neutral as a headphone amp and so I would be very interested in comparing the Dave +M-Scaler to the HeadAmp GS-X mk2 with Dave +M-Scaler.

Thank you very much

This was my setup for two years. The GS-X Mk2 was very good at maintaining the Dave’s level of transparency while improving the sound quality of harder to drive headphones.

 

[mark44]

This was my setup for two years. The GS-X Mk2 was very good at maintaining the Dave’s level of transparency while improving the sound quality of harder to drive headphones.

But if you had to compare neutrality, with GSX MK2 and without GSX MK2, what impressions did you get?
Thank you very much

 

[Whazzzup]

But if you had to compare neutrality, with GSX MK2 and without GSX MK2, what impressions did you get?
Thank you very much

Gsx mk2 is a wire and gain system. Fully balanced dual mono from end to end.

 

[Slim1970]

But if you had to compare neutrality, with GSX MK2 and without GSX MK2, what impressions did you get?
Thank you very much

Like @Whazzzup said, the GS-X Mk2 is a wire and gain amp. It really didn’t have a sound of its own. It just amplified the signal, added some weight to notes, improved note definition, and added some transients snap. The GS-X Mk2 is very fast and punchy. I loved the way that amp controlled the drivers. I would say the GS-X Mk2 is a very neutral sounding amp. It’s clean, spacious sounding with a lot of resolve. This is why I think it worked so well with the DAVE.

 

[mark44]

I don't know - I have only used the Stream.

Please could you tell me what settings with HF Fil and Phase when using M-scaler with the Dave?

Thank you very much

 

[Rob Watts]

I use pos phase, and with M scaler HF filter is set to off with Dave.

Absolute phase depends very much upon recordings and the transducer used, and it's not something I worry about as the differences (when apparent) is small. That said, I haven't experimented with phase using my DCA Stealth - something I will try.

 

[Reactcore]

I use pos phase, and with M scaler HF filter is set to off with Dave.

Absolute phase depends very much upon recordings and the transducer used, and it's not something I worry about as the differences (when apparent) is small. That said, I haven't experimented with phase using my DCA Stealth - something I will try.

Im still a bit puzzled by what this phase setting does to the signal.. is it a 180° shift thus inverting the output polarity for both channels? Or am i too much analog thinking and is it something in the digital domain

 

[Rob Watts]

Correct. Imagine recording an instrument that creates a positive initial pressure - absolute phase accuracy would mean a positive pressure hitting your ear drums too. Absolute phase switch inverts both channels so that a positive pressure would now become a negative pressure. The reason it's adjustable is many recordings do not maintain absolute phase. When set to positive, then a positive digital input would create a positive pressure on your headphones - assuming the headphones are wired correctly.

 

[Reactcore]

Correct. Imagine recording an instrument that creates a positive initial pressure - absolute phase accuracy would mean a positive pressure hitting your ear drums too. Absolute phase switch inverts both channels so that a positive pressure would now become a negative pressure. The reason it's adjustable is many recordings do not maintain absolute phase. When set to positive, then a positive digital input would create a positive pressure on your headphones - assuming the headphones are wired correctly.

So actually the best setting is recording dependant and one just dont know whats needed per track, let alone if listening to a compilation of eg. various artists album..

 

[thePhones]

I use pos phase, and with M scaler HF filter is set to off with Dave.

Absolute phase depends very much upon recordings and the transducer used, and it's not something I worry about as the differences (when apparent) is small. That said, I haven't experimented with phase using my DCA Stealth - something I will try.

You have repeatedly mentioned that you normally recommend HF filter on for 96khz and higher. Is it just a special case for you with the Dave and if why so?

 

[Christer]

I don't know - I have only used the Stream.

Hello Rob ,I have both Stream and Storm and with my humble Qutest/Mscaler Combo and Storm is the one I use daily. I kept Stream mainly as a travel alternative,then Covid happened and I haven't really travelled anywhere since then.
Sometimes I feel it is enough of a hassle to move my headphone listening gear from the main listening room when my main fireplace clogs up and forces me to move into a bedroom where the fireplace works more reliably,with those heavy cables and everything else needed.

Tonight almost turned into one of those nights. But starting my Aircleaner and stopping that fire in the stove earlier than usual saved the day.

But good as Storm is, I am still hoping that a Hugo 3 with an onboard Mscaler and no need for such heavy "little ferreted" cables will be one of the new products you will bring and release at Canjam Singapore in March.
If so, I will definitely try to make it to Singapore late March for the first time in three years.

Sorry, but a new 2M? taps Super-Expensive Mscaler "looking just like Dave" in a fancy case is NOT on my current shopping list really. It would have to leave even DAVE /Mscaler way way behind in the dust, to make me even think of such a Super Luxury toy.
my priority is always MUSIC FIRST.

But an "mscaled" Hugo 3 at still very reasonable cost, now that would be MUCH more tempting to me, even if it would only bring some smaller SQ benefits over my current combo.
Some 13 hours without electricity until late afternoon today,made me even wish I had had a Hugo 2 or even Mojo 2 to connect to my Mscaler.
Yes I still have my Hugo but it is now difficult for me to enjoy my music without Mscaling capability.
So why have you only tried Stream?
Because it sounded identical to a reference point of yours?
But which reference point was that? I can not remember which one it was.
What if Storm would have sounded even closer to live acoustic instruments such as those you recorded so well with simple Blumlein miking?
Cheers and Happy New Year , a bit late, I know but still.
Christer