Sennheiser PC37X randomly goes bad after disconnecting the cable ?
Greetings, Yesterday I was using my headset like normal with my macbook, just listening to music and on a call with people like usual, and the headset was perfectly fine. The stock wire that came with the headset is extremely long and yesterday it annoyed me very much that it kept getting tangled with itself, so I decided to see if the cable is replaceable. I pulled out the cable from the headset and saw the adapter, and looked online for a replacement. Upon plugging it back in, the audio sounded extremely muffled and washed out. Im not sure what I did wrong to make it mess up like that as I've always taken good care of it, ive had it for about 2 years and its always just been chilling on my desk, but anywho I thought the cable just went bad and ordered a replacement. The replacement came, and the issue is still persistant, so I am not sure what the issue is I've tried multiple different headsets and the issue is not with the port, and I also tried it with my windows laptop and...
Apr 23, 2024
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.
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.
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.
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.