CEntrance DACmini CX Amp/DAC Discussions | Drop

Dec 5, 2014

If I wanted to buy the dacmini to operate as an dac for my little dot i+ and Grados as well as a dac/amp for my beyerdynamic dt 770 premiums (600 ohms), do I need any of the mods or will the base model work?

Dec 5, 2014

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Dec 6, 2014

jbrady3324Nope. The Var-Out doesn't matter in your scenarios, and the 1-ohm option is not what you want for 600-ohm cans

Dec 6, 2014

Dec 6, 2014

RShackWhat headphone impedance range is the 10-ohm output suited for?

Dec 6, 2014

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Polygon

192

Dec 6, 2014

jbrady3324"THE SHORT VERSION: All you really need to know is most headphones work best when the output impedance is less than 1/8th the headphone impedance. So, for example, with 32 ohm Grados the output impedance can be, at most, 32/8 = 4 ohms. The Etymotic HF5s are 16 ohms so the max output impedance is 16/8 = 2 ohms. If you want to be assured a source will work well with just about any headphone, simply make sure the output impedance is under 2 ohms."
Source: http://nwavguy.blogspot.com/2011/02/headphone-amp-impedance.html
For further insight: http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/musings-headphone-amplifier-output-impedance

Dec 6, 2014

Dec 6, 2014

PolygonGreat info. So the 1 ohm output would be a perfect fit my grado's and AKG's, but the 10 ohm output would provide for power for my beyerdynamics (600 ohms). I see the little dot i+ is rated at 32 ohms.. that seems bizarre..
I am trying to convince myself to purchase the dacmini to replace my MK III

Dec 6, 2014

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Dec 6, 2014

jbrady3324Apparently, lots of people have excellent results with the 10-ohm version with AKG's, and the manufacturer doesn't warn that low-ish ohm headphones need the 1-ohm version, so perhaps there is something in this design that challenges the 8:1 rule-of-thumb. Maybe best to email customer service at the manufacturer to ask.
The main diff people report is that the 1-ohm version sounds more neutral or clinical, while the 10-ohm std version sounds a bit on the warm side, so that's a matter of personal taste.. Lots of discussion on headfi.org, but it will take you forever to read it all.

Dec 6, 2014

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Dec 6, 2014

RShackI already spend way too much time reading head-fi.org :) I might just opt for the variable output version but the extra $100 kills it for me. Tough decision

Dec 6, 2014

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Dec 6, 2014

jbrady3324You understand that the Var-Out has nothing to do with this ohm business about headphones, right? (If you do, please forgive...)

Dec 6, 2014

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Dec 6, 2014

jbrady3324If you can get just 21 of your pals to buy one of these, we might all get the Var-Out for free ;-)

Dec 6, 2014

Dec 6, 2014

RShackNow I do! So the dacmini is only offered at a fix 10 ohm or 1 ohm output impedance? No switch mod?

Dec 6, 2014

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Dec 7, 2014

jbrady3324AFAIK, the std 10-ohm and the 1-ohm option are the only two ohm choices.
The Var-Out makes the volume knob also control the line out, in case you want to use the Dacmini as a pre-amp (for powered speakers or for a plain power amp). Without that mod, the line out signal goes out at a constant level to wherever your line-out cable sends it, and volume control for that has to be done by whatever device is on the other end of that cable.
In addition, you can pay them extra to boost the amp's gain, but that's not a choice here... and is something that almost nobody needs (because if you want more power, that's what the PX model is for). Same thing for the option of having the line out be "always on"; the std configuration auto-disconnects the line out signal whenever you plug in headphones. Each of these last two options can be done later if you send the unit back to them and pay them extra for doing them, but they are not choices for this Massdrop deal.

Dec 7, 2014

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Dec 7, 2014

jbrady3324You don't need any more power than what DACmini provides, be it 1 ohm or 10 ohm. This thing is a monster. And power difference is very small between 1 and 10 ohm, so it's not an issue. It's only about neutral vs. warmer sound.

Dec 7, 2014

Dec 7, 2014

RShackI would personally stay with 10 ohm. We voiced this thing to please the most ears, so you should be quite happy.

Dec 7, 2014

Dec 7, 2014

RShackLook, don't even think of the High Gain mod unless you don't like your hearing... Not needed in 99.9 % cases.

Dec 7, 2014

Dec 7, 2014

CEntranceWould you stay with the 10 ohm even for a pair of sensitive Grado's (32 ohms)?

Dec 7, 2014

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Dec 7, 2014

jbrady3324A little birdie told me that 25 ohms or less might be a useful guideline for when the 1-ohm option is called for...

Dec 7, 2014

loonger

Dec 8, 2014

CEntranceCan you answer my question please. If I would use this on both IEM like um pro 30, and fans like OK1, HD600, shall I choose 1 Ohm or 10 Ohm output? Thanks.

Dec 8, 2014

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