Aune X7S Balanced Headphone Amp Discussions | Drop

Dec 20, 2016

triggsviolaFrom a Gustard X20U (fully balanced architecture) using XLRs. The HE-6 rig was balanced front to end, same as with the Ragnarok. The Joutenhiem wasn't a bad match for the HE-6, but it wasn't as good as the Ragnarok, nor the Mjolnir 2 using high end NOS tubes. Compared to the Ragnarok, the Joutenhiem had a similar sound signature, but it lacked the output muscle the HE-6 demands for a sense of dynamic ease, and was a noticeable step down in terms of sound dimensionality. I still would have kept it if it had done a better job with the TH900.

Dec 20, 2016

triggsviola

147

Dec 20, 2016

GUTBWow it sounds like one of those things where the HE-6 needs something more than it's stated impedance/efficiency. This Aune wouldn't stand a chance!

Dec 20, 2016

Vote

Dec 20, 2016

triggsviolaIn fact the HE-6 efficiency rating is a lie, it's much lower than stated. I think someone measured it at around 64dB. There are people who get great results hooking them up to massive mono block speaker amps.

Dec 20, 2016

Vote

bentlikeitsmaker

Dec 20, 2016

GUTBon the he 6 did you run balanced cables aka xlr considering it doubles the output power

Dec 20, 2016

Vote

Uzuzu

1431

Dec 21, 2016

indi_guythe th series by fostex and all variants of it are completely not picky, regardless of any amp used. I can vouch for that. I will say though there are some minor gains to be heard with high end amps (500+)

Dec 21, 2016

Vote

markk02474

Dec 21, 2016

GUTBI have the new ES9028Pro version of the Gustard X20u, and it drives my Sennheiser HD-800s just fine, directly from the unbalanced outs! I don't even need to use the extra 6db boost available. These cans are so revealing even at low volumes, there isn't any need to go loud. I love both products.

Dec 21, 2016

Vote

Dec 23, 2016

triggsviolaYeah, guys are comparing unbalanced against balanced amps. I have the Jotunheim, balanced out to my HD600 cans get pretty loud, while sounding very good, for the price.SE out, the Jot is just a little better than my AUNE S16 though...if you are not going balanced out, there are better choices than the Jot, as far as power goes...

Dec 23, 2016

BARBRO

Dec 24, 2016

carlhil2Would u care to give some examples?

Dec 24, 2016

Vote

Dec 24, 2016

BARBROThe M-Stage HPA-3B for one, and it's balanced also to boot, same loot. also, there's the Audio-GD NFB-1

Dec 24, 2016

Vote

Dec 24, 2016

carlhil2The HD600 is a bad headphone. Technically, it is a solid mid-fi product -- good resolution, decent imaging, tonally sufficient, dynamics are about mid-fi level if a little sub-par. But they suffer from a severe flaw; they lack euphonics. The term "euphonic" was made up by audiophile to describe the psycho-acoustical property of sound to engage the listener and make him feel good; basically, the enjoyment factor of music. Headphones that make you bored of them eventually, like the HD600, lack this special formula. When I was auditioning the HD600, I didn't even want to listen to my favorite music with them after a few weeks; they didn't fail terribly in any technical category that I could detect, but they just made my music BORING.
My hi-fi headphones -- the HE-6, TH900 and now the Utopia -- are on a different planet from a technical perspective compared to the HD600, and more importantly, are highly euphonic.

Dec 24, 2016

Dec 25, 2016

GUTBI listen to my various cans via a Aune S16, balanced out into the Jot. I listen to the HD600 via balanced cable. my source is my PC/Sonar Platinum DAW using my vst of choice. can make the headphones sound anyways that I wan basically...I have some tube vst plugins that sound legit...I even use them with JRiver...

Dec 25, 2016

Vote

BARBRO

Dec 25, 2016

carlhil2Will prob go for Audio-GD NFB-1 In this video he talks about The M-Stage HPA-3A the unbalanced version wich seem to be crap.

, Wich is a pitty couse it looks like good value on paper. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJ_VonxE5Wo

Dec 25, 2016

Vote

Dec 25, 2016

BARBROHis desktop setup is okay -- but not from an audiophile perspective. The monitors are junk (which he admits), no USB regeneration, no name interconnects, mid-fi Stax (with a plastic cover, lol), his low-end Matrix amp. Basically, what most Reddit and Massdrop "audiophiles" aspire too, including the non-ironic use kid's toys as presentation aids.
I don't have a "desktop setup", but rather a reference chain.
Source: Dedicated PC, i5 100% fanless, external SSD power line, running Windows 10, Fidelizer Pro + JRiver Transport: USB with ferrite rings to Schiit Wyrd USB regen out to DH Labs Silver Sonic USB cable to LKS Audio USB bridge (with separate linear power supply) out to I2S (HDMI cable). DAC: Gustard X20 with basic AC mods, all PCM input converted to DSD-256 via I2S link, dedicated wall outlet using Audio Sensibility Testament AC cord. Output Audio Sensibility Statement XLR. Amp: Schiit Mjolnir 2 with Reflektor 75 Silver Shields, dedicated wall outlet with the DAC using a Lessloss Standard AC cord. Power: DAC and amp are connected to Furutech GTX-D NCF(R) outlet (NCF-treated copper with rhodium plating). All other components connected to a seperate outlet using a Tripp-Lite Isobar with noise filters. Headphones: HE-6 (modded) + Moon Audio Black Dragon v2 cables, TH900 and Focal Utopia.
This guy would probably cry himself to sleep after listening to my, or any, real audiophile setup.

Dec 25, 2016

Vote

triggsviola

147

Dec 25, 2016

GUTBPics or it didnt happen.

jk

Dec 25, 2016

Dubharmonic

Dec 26, 2016

GUTBThis setup is your first audio setup then? 🙂

Dec 26, 2016