1 (edited by JNV 2024-09-05 20:33:07)

Topic: DA sound improvement

Are there any audible and mesurables improvement of the DAC headphone out section of the Pro FS and 2/4 Pro over the ADI 2 DAC ?

I think the balanced mode of the 2/4 can offer a lower noise ( less crosstalk? ), but my headphones aren’t hard to drive so I thought it might be enough with unbalanced output from the ADI 2 DAC FS.

This is for monitoring for mixing / mastering in the box, I don’t need the AD but I need the best DA possible, thanks.

2 (edited by KaiS 2024-09-05 21:03:34)

Re: DA sound improvement

In my experience there is no audible sound quality difference between balanced and single ended ‘phones drive, if the amp has enough power in each configuration.
The latter is absolutely the case with all of the ADI-2 series devices.

(For portable amps with limited power this can be another story).


There is in fact one exception and difference that is linked to the headphone cable, not the amp:

Balanced phones alway have to use fully independent 4-wire wiring, 2 for left and 2 for right side, to make balanced work.
This keeps left and right signals fully appart.


Single ended phones partly do use 3-wire cables, with separate left and right “hot” wires, but a shared ground wire for both sides.
This config causes an anti-phase crosstalk between left and right channel.
The effect is an artificial stereo-spread of up to several single figure percent, which is audible.

Stereo spread is used in studio mastering as effect, but you don’t want that in your control monitor chain.

Again:
This is only linked to the ‘phones, NOT the amp.
ADI-2 has neglectable crosstalk in any configuration.


It’s not easy to find out if your ‘phones fall in one category or the other.
If there is an option to replace the cable with a balanced one, re-terminated for single ended on the amp side, you’re safe.

Some reviews mention it in the context of balanced options.

Else, tell the models of your ‘phones and I try to get the info.

Re: DA sound improvement

Thanks for your answer.
Currently using Audeze mm500 mainly.
Came with a single ended stock but could swap to balanced.

Re: DA sound improvement

JNV wrote:

Thanks for your answer.
Currently using Audeze mm500 mainly.
Came with a single ended stock but could swap to balanced.

AUDEZE traditionally uses 4-wire cables terminated in left/right separated Mini-XLRs.
So, no concern, the cable is fully balanced down to the amp connector, no cable-crosstalk.

Re: DA sound improvement

Alright
Thanks