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JWahl
40
Mar 20, 2018
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I'm going to play the devil's advocate for a moment. I'm actually frustrated that consumer demands tend to push toward all-balanced gear.
The benefits of balanced tends to be double the voltage swing, and cancellation of common mode noise. However, there are drawbacks as well.
In most cases, balanced equipment doubles the number of components required and thus cost. Additionally, component tolerances for the two phases of a balanced signal must be tighter, thus adding to the cost. This will either make the balanced equipment far more expensive, or force the designer to cut costs in other ways.
I, personally, would rather see manufacturers focus on higher quality single ended equipment so that design choices can maximize component quality and value, rather than having to compromise for the additional design expense of running balanced.
Unfortunately few focus on really high quality single ended gear because of the consumer perception that balanced is always superior.
Mar 20, 2018
jefe32
149
Mar 20, 2018
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JWahlTotally agree on the last sentence. Thanks for breaking down the balanced plus and minus. I have been a fan of audio products for a few years and still grasp to fully understand the who balanced vs single ended debate.
Mar 20, 2018
kukkurovaca
323
Mar 21, 2018
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JWahlI feel like single-ended amps are pretty well represented. Whose lineup do you think is being held back by not having enough single-ended designs?
Mar 21, 2018
ChongHern
1
Mar 21, 2018
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JWahlIndeed, balanced sources often measure worse than their single ended counterparts, especially at the cheaper and more portable end of the scale, presumably because of the additional cost and difficulty in implementation.
Particularly for portable gear, I find that the costs of going balanced outweighs the benefits. Take a look at some balanced vs unbalanced measurements on ohm-image.net and you will find that the added distortion from poorly implemented balanced outputs can be significant. I will take a well implemented single ended output over a balanced one any day, especially considering the (typically) lower prices and compatibility with regular unbalanced cables.
Mar 21, 2018
JWahl
40
Mar 22, 2018
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kukkurovacaSorry for the slow response. In general, I'd like to see more single-ended amps that maximize quality in the ~$700-$1500 range. There are quite a few single-ended tube amps this range, but better quality ones tend to be much more expensive due to transformers. I haven't been a fan of OTL tube amps myself.
For a little more background, I really liked my Torpedo III DIY tube hybrid I built for just under $1000. However I sold it and downgraded to an iFi iCan Micro SE so I can sell my Chord Mojo to upgrade to a Chord Qutest (still waiting on delivery). The iCan Micro is a great value. It makes me curious about what the Pro can do, but I don't really need balanced, the Qutest is single ended output only.
The other thing I'm curious about is step-up transformer gain headphone amps. They're somewhat rare. I only know of the Metrum Aurix (discontinued I think), ECP black diamond (DIY), and EMAC 535SE.
I'm also not opposed to using a differential stage while having single ended in and out. Sometimes that can split the difference of pros and cons. The Torpedo III used a similar arrangement. Also really curious to read about the Schiit Lyr 3 that just came out.
Mar 22, 2018
kukkurovaca
323
Mar 22, 2018
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JWahlI feel like maybe the problem is just the relative lack of OTC amps in general? : )
I'll be interested in reactions to the Massdrop / Eddie ZDT Jr. once it's in people's hands. Have you checked out the Feliks Euforia? That seems to have garnered a lot of hype. Woo also has a mix of transformer and OTL tube options, right?
My setup is all portable(ish), but I actually recently bought a single-ended OTC tube amp, the Phatlab Phantasy. (I got a suspiciously good deal on eBay.) I also have an ALO CDM (balanced hybrid tube amp) and it's been interesting comparing them. They're extremely different in sound and how they interact with different headphones. I like them both a lot, though.
Mar 22, 2018
JWahl
40
Mar 27, 2018
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kukkurovacaThat's fair to say. I don't mind hybrids, though. I actually just pulled the trigger on the Massdrop Cavalli CTH, since they're in stock for delivery now. I just didn't want to wait months before. I'm going to compare it against the iCan Micro SE and sell the one I like less. I may wait to sell until I get the Qutest, so I can see how they both respond to the better source.
Mar 27, 2018
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