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Author Topic: Differences between balanced vs single ended headphone/amp/DAC  (Read 7028 times)

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Marvey

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Re: Differences between balanced vs single ended headphone/amp/DAC
« Reply #40 on: April 16, 2015, 02:47:23 PM »
Quote from: OJneg on April 16, 2015, 02:08:39 PM

As with the other examples shown, the biasing mechanisms are not explicitly show but rather implied.


Yeah, but this an Internet forum, so you lose on technical points.
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DGCFAD

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Re: Differences between balanced vs single ended headphone/amp/DAC
« Reply #41 on: April 16, 2015, 06:56:42 PM »
Quote from: Armaegis on April 16, 2015, 03:56:24 AM
I'd like to hear thoughts on transformer coupled amp outputs. Yay/nay? Could I take a regular high quality single ended amp, wire up an appropriately spec'd* 1:1 transformer at the end and be able to drive my headphones "balanced"?

*I'm sure this isn't the simplest thing

Output transformers are common in tube amps, but as David Manley pointed out in his book on the subject, a tube amp's sound is only as good as the output transformer. It is for this reason that so many manufacturers have opted for OTL (output transformer less) designs. Macintosh is one of the few manufacturers to use output transformers on a solid state amplifier, but the output transformer is a large part of their sound. Output transformers are also a common way of providing balanced outputs for preamps with single ended architecture. Another common cheat is resistor ladders.
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OJneg

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Re: Differences between balanced vs single ended headphone/amp/DAC
« Reply #42 on: April 16, 2015, 07:25:11 PM »
Quote from: purr1n on April 16, 2015, 02:47:23 PM
Yeah, but this an Internet forum, so you lose on technical points.


 ::)
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DigitalFreak

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Re: Differences between balanced vs single ended headphone/amp/DAC
« Reply #43 on: April 16, 2015, 11:15:52 PM »
Hi guys, hope this isn't an overly dumb question but I've had minimal experience with balanced setups, meaning none.
I've just bought the Cavalli Carbon and I was thinking of going balanced since according to the Carbon thread Dr Cavalli claims that if you go SE you'll be leaving over half of the amps potential capabilities behind on the table. My question is, should I be worried about going balanced in from a DAC? I have the CLAS-db as DAC and my current cable is a Monster TRRS out from DAC to RCA in into the amp. You guys think its worth getting rid of the CLAS and finding a good DAC with balanced out or should I just concentrate on getting a better cable and keep my CLAS for now?
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The science of properly driving headphones is a mystery for me. For starters where the hell is the steering wheel?
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OJneg

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Re: Differences between balanced vs single ended headphone/amp/DAC
« Reply #44 on: April 17, 2015, 12:03:04 AM »
Quote from: DigitalFreak on April 16, 2015, 11:15:52 PM
You guys think its worth getting rid of the CLAS and finding a good DAC with balanced out or should I just concentrate on getting a better cable and keep my CLAS for now?

In general I always prefer balanced inputs. It just makes more sense, especially if you already have a D/A with balanced outputs. Although I cannot claim to have tested any potential differences between balanced and SE inputs on the Carbon. Or the quality of that DAC.
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Marvey

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Re: Differences between balanced vs single ended headphone/amp/DAC
« Reply #45 on: April 17, 2015, 12:10:57 AM »
Quote from: DigitalFreak on April 16, 2015, 11:15:52 PM
Hi guys, hope this isn't an overly dumb question but I've had minimal experience with balanced setups, meaning none.
I've just bought the Cavalli Carbon and I was thinking of going balanced since according to the Carbon thread Dr Cavalli claims that if you go SE you'll be leaving over half of the amps potential capabilities behind on the table. My question is, should I be worried about going balanced in from a DAC? I have the CLAS-db as DAC and my current cable is a Monster TRRS out from DAC to RCA in into the amp. You guys think its worth getting rid of the CLAS and finding a good DAC with balanced out or should I just concentrate on getting a better cable and keep my CLAS for now?

That's a tough situation. I don't know the internal workings of the Carbon to comment on the amp. I will say that the CLAS attached to the Carbon did not yield anywhere near the Carbon's potential. Anax and Luis brought in their Geek box (SE outs) to replace the CLAS, and that improved the sound of the overall system significantly.

So getting rid of the CLAS is a start. My advice is to get the best DAC that you can get regardless of balanced or SE that sounds best with the Carbon. Don't let the use of balanced steer your decision. Final sound quality is most important, whether that be a DAC with SE or balanced outputs.
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OJneg

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Re: Differences between balanced vs single ended headphone/amp/DAC
« Reply #46 on: April 17, 2015, 12:46:28 AM »
Quote from: purr1n on April 17, 2015, 12:10:57 AM
I will say that the CLAS attached to the Carbon did not yield anywhere near the Carbon's potential.

Oh snap, that was the other DAC next to the Hugo at Cavalli's table? Scratch that then...you need a new DAC brotha
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Anaxilus

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Re: Differences between balanced vs single ended headphone/amp/DAC
« Reply #47 on: April 17, 2015, 12:54:14 AM »
Quote from: purr1n on April 17, 2015, 12:10:57 AM
Anax and Luis brought in their Geek box (SE outs) to replace the CLAS, and that improved the sound of the overall system significantly.

I brought the Geek Pulse Xfi on Sunday which is balanced output with femto clocks. XLR was feeding Carbon and SE feeding the Cavalli Portable I believe.
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DigitalFreak

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Re: Differences between balanced vs single ended headphone/amp/DAC
« Reply #48 on: April 17, 2015, 02:26:48 AM »
Damn, that's what I was afraid of. I've thrown up a mess of lo and mid-fi gear onto the FS forums. I have 4 months to hopefully pull the needed funds together. Until a day ago I had more there but the Carbon came up on pre-sale and I didn't want to lose out. You guys got any thoughts concerning the BottleHead DAC? Although SE it looks nice spec wise, albeit, pricey for my budget at 1500, I also like some of the stuff Calyx has done with their DAcs.  I was hoping for around 750 to 1000 USD as my budget goal. If I was to go into the 1500 USD realm what would you guys consider a safe bet SE or balanced connection wise?

Thanks in advance guys.

Man this post looks like a post you see some of the noobs making on head-fi?!?!??! :spank:
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The science of properly driving headphones is a mystery for me. For starters where the hell is the steering wheel?
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The only thing in this world that's truly neutral is Switzerland

Marvey

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Re: Differences between balanced vs single ended headphone/amp/DAC
« Reply #49 on: April 17, 2015, 03:23:34 AM »
Get a Gungnir. Wait a bit.
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