[ablaze]

I'd like to think my meta42's pretty tweaked out (thanks to Possum), BUT big question is, is it still not doing justice to the Sony CD3000s (on the way)?

any opinions or experiences (even better!) to share with the combo?

 

[ablaze]

my "research" shows up the earmax pro, the microzotl, and the discontinued X-cans as good matches for the CD3000s. now what about the comparatively cheaper "maxed out meta42"..

 

[puppyslugg]

What's in your 'maxed out Meta'? I would suspect some Meta's may not work well with the CD3000, based on component selection.

 

[ablaze]

"Pseudo-Alps Blue potentiometer - stepped with resistors
No capacitors in coupling path for more "pure" sound
2x Elna Cerafine 470uF, 2x Cerafine 220uF, 2x Cerafine 10uF capacitors for power rails and decoupling
2x Wima 0.22uF decoupling capacitors for op amp
2x AD8610 op amp
Biased into Class A with JFET transistors
Stacked 3x EL2001 output buffers per channel
Stacked 2x EL2001 for power supply buffer
Gain set to about 15-16
Blue LED with lens cover for case panel
All resistors, op amps, and buffers are socketed so they can be changed at any time
LM350 voltage regulator ""

Possum's work

k maybe it ain't the usual "maxed out" meta. lets just call it a "tweaked" meta42

 

[radrd]

I don't understand why you are asking now that you already ordered the headphones?

If people seem to think that they won't work well together, then you will be biased when you are listening to them.

Since you went ahead and ordered them without finding this out before hand, why not just wait and listen for yourself?

 

[ablaze]

it gives me something to do while my stuff's flying over from the US of A. beats twiddling my fingers

anyway, i was looking for a perspective of things that perhaps someone with a meta42 and another amp could share. so when I hear my combo, I could think "this could be so much better" or "guess this is pretty much how the CD3000s will sound"..know what I mean?

 

[radrd]

Not really...

...but different strokes for different folks I guess.

 

[LTUCCI1924]

.

 

[Spad]

I don't have a Meta42, but I do have a Xin SuperMini which is supposed to sound somewhat similar.

My favorite around-the-house portable system at the moment combines an EJ1000 and SuperMini with the CD3000s. The CD3000s sound significantly better in this modest setup than does the W2002s.

The CD3000s also shine when driven directly from an iPod and even more so, naturally, when the SuperMini is added to the mix. I would expect the Meta42 to be even better.

 

[markl]

ablaze,
I think the major question for you is "is your META able to properly power low-impedence phones like the CD3K"??

i suspect it is. A more important question is-- what is your source?? Do you have a good CDP/SACDP? Do you listen to MP3's off a computer card or do you have a dedicated CDP and a collection of CDs?

Mark

 

[ablaze]

Quote:

Originally posted by Spad I don't have a Meta42, but I do have a Xin SuperMini which is supposed to sound somewhat similar. My favorite around-the-house portable system at the moment combines an EJ1000 and SuperMini with the CD3000s. The CD3000s sound significantly better in this modest setup than does the W2002s. The CD3000s also shine when driven directly from an iPod and even more so, naturally, when the SuperMini is added to the mix. I would expect the Meta42 to be even better.

hi spad, it was actually your post in another thread about the super mini that gave me hope about my meta42.

i'm keeping my fingers crossed too!

 

[ablaze]

Quote:

Originally posted by markl ablaze, I think the major question for you is "is your META able to properly power low-impedence phones like the CD3K"?? i suspect it is. A more important question is-- what is your source?? Do you have a good CDP/SACDP? Do you listen to MP3's off a computer card or do you have a dedicated CDP and a collection of CDs? Mark

regarding your first question. I really don't know. <---see my newbie status.

but I did realise the importance of this and asked Possum (the builder) and he said it sounded more than fine with his high impedance phones as well as the low-impedance phones that he had, so I'm taking his word for it. is there some tweak for the meta42 for low-impedance cans?

source: yeah. I know. its just a crappy CT570 and an audigy2 for now. I was going to get an ART DI/O. but at the last min withdrew on the deal, realising how much exactly I had already spent on this habit

600+++ WAYYYY beyond the initial budget. I'll work on the source in future for sure. but for now..i've just gotta make do with what i have.

 

[ablaze]

Quote:

Originally posted by LTUCCI1924 ablaze HI: I was considering the cd3000 but when I read that they need a real good amp and a real good source I decided not to get them. And I have a Max Out META42 and a good home source but I don't know if its good enough? If you don't like them you can always sell them and get something else. I hope that you like them and good luck with them.

thanks Lou. I'll post my impressions when I receive them

 

[tangent]

Quote:

is there some tweak for the meta42 for low-impedance cans?

Yes. When you get your headphones, set the volume to a normal level with music, then unplug the source from the amp. Don't just put it on pause or turn it off -- unplug the RCAs. Now, listen carefully for any hiss. Try turning the amp on and off. There shouldn't be easily audible hiss, but there may be a "there-ness" to the amp when it's on that goes away when you turn the amp off. This presence is caused by a low-level hiss that amps like this can exhibit in some situations, particularly with low-impedance headphones.

If you have this low-level hiss, there are three things you can do:

1. Ignore it. It's probably so low that it won't interfere with your enjoyment of music.

2. Lower the gain of the amp. 15-16 is awfully high, especially for efficient headphones with a line-level source. Try something around 5. You do this by changing the ratio of R3 to R4. If R4 is 15K, R3 would probably be 1K, giving a gain of 16. (Gain is R4/R3+1.) To lower the gain to about 5, you could use a 3.9K R3. (4.02K is a closer common resistor value, but those are harder to find than 3.9K.)

3. If step 2 still doesn't reduce hiss enough, you can add an output resistor. Look inside your amp -- hopefully R8 and R9 are jumpers right now. You can replace one of these with a small (47-100 ohm) resistor to help quiet the amp. This isn't without cost, though: damping factor suffers with output resistors.

If you go through all three steps and you still have hiss, you've probably got a noisy power supply.

Now, aren'tcha glad Possum put those resistor sockets in?

 

[ablaze]

thanks tangent. letme bookmark this link..

hmm..resistors..my first attempt at electronics toying..we'll see how it goes man