[George Chronis]

I am listening to a Bethoven sonata (Barenboim, Deutche Gramophon recording). I transfered it lossless to my iPod and I'm using HD595 and HD650 on a PA2V2. If I go past 60% on the pot, I have terrible clipping in the lows and then the highs as well. It's solo piano, so it's nice to listen to it a bit louder, though I'm not a fan of piercing my ears with loud music.

I have not experienced this before with the same amp, because the rest of the music is already loud to be heard at this kind of setting on the pot. I have the same issue with most solo piano and different recordings (like Glenn Gould's Bach).

My question is: If I go to a better amp (Hornet, Aria, Gilmore Lite) will I be able to play the same thing at same volume without clipping? Clipping is not in the recording (obviously; that would be terrible). I'm not so sure how the whole amplidication deal works. Is the same piece going to be clipping after a certain volume regardless of the amp, or does the quality of the amp have something to do with this?

I have a Woo6 on order and will get the Extreme as well, but the situation I'm talking about is for a bedroom setup and I don't want anything huge in here.

Thanks!

 

[Gonz]

Obvious question: Are your batteries dying?

In my opinion, a GoVibe w/Elpac would probably be enough to fix the distortion problem... which I am thinking is caused by insufficient output voltage. I draw this conclusion as the issue becomes evident by knob position, not actual volume level.

Big cans, small amp, small battery, etc...

Thats not to say you can't go with a small amp, as the Hornet and others you mention are completely different. More powerful yes.

 

[George Chronis]

Good point about the batteries. Although I had not thought about it, the amp has been plugged in for the past 8 hours, so I wouldn't think so.

Ok, so it does make a difference in distortion what amp you choose. Good. And I was looking for an excuse to get a Gilmore Lite after all the threads I read that question the value of an amp in SQ.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gonz /img/forum/go_quote.gif Obvious question: Are your batteries dying? In my opinion, a GoVibe w/Elpac would probably be enough to fix the distortion problem... which I am thinking is caused by insufficient output voltage. I draw this conclusion as the issue becomes evident by knob position, not actual volume level. Big cans, small amp, small battery, etc... Thats not to say you can't go with a small amp, as the Hornet and others you mention are completely different. More powerful yes.

 

[GreatDane]

I've never been impressed with the power from the PA2V2. It is a very nice amp for the price, which isn't very high so I would never complain about the power issue. It was my first portable amp and served me well with IEMs.

I have the same problem with clipping on every can I own except the 55 Ohm K240S using the PA2v2.

I think the G lite would be great.

 

[Rick Hunter]

I have a "M" Hornet / HD650s / HD595s
The amp won't clip even with the volume at 100%
Good amps don't clip, cheap amps can do that with demanding cans.

 

[George Chronis]

Great. Thanks a lot everyone. I knew my question would cost me money (that's what usually happens here). Can't wait to get my new amp