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Showing 1 of 1097 reviews about:
DiggerFigger
6
Aug 31, 2019
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Okay for the price except SE output level
Single Ended power output is way too low. I thought it might be an issue with my DACs output voltage being to low or the the Cinch Line In of the 789 being handled differently than the XLR Inputs. So I tried my Yamaha Mixer's XLR Outputs into the 789's XLR In. (The Yamaha has a stronger output signal than most consumer products would expect. That's why a JBL305/308 has a selector for this on its back). Still the same issue. On a quiet Song this is just enough to power my (quite efficient) DT1770Pro decently with the 789 on High Gain Full Throttle. This is really! disappointing. With a male 4Pin XLR -> 6.5m Stereo Jack you can circumvent the problem. Really disappointed about that though...
Build quality is okay, but if my Mercedes came with edge alignments like the THX AAA 789, I would be angry... Also the buttons. Who build those?! Is the Power Button supposed to stay down when it's in the "On" position? I don't know. You just press, then wait and stare at the LED. Sometimes it turnes on. No physical Feedback at all. Seriously, the buttons feel like utter sh**. Although the other controls are just fine. The Gain Selector and Volume Knob are absolutely okay. Not the best, but okay for the price of the unit. Duty for Germany was about 75€ (~80$). A Pro is that you can just use this standard connector that looks like an 8 for the power supply if you do not live in the US and therefore need a different power cable for the power supply. Sound is clean just as expected.
Recommends this product? No
postwarscars
1367
Aug 31, 2019
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DiggerFiggerFirst: DT 1770 Pros are 250ohms, which is hardly efficient.
Second: using the balanced XLR input doesn't let you use single-ended, so I'm unsure why you're not still asking if your single-ended DAC source isn't the issue. You may be experiencing channel bleed, which a few people have complained about, which would explain the low volume.
Third: the power button sucks but it's not intended to stay in, so that's a fair criticism.
What is your single-ended DAC? The 789 outputs 200mw at 300 ohms which should be more than capable of driving your headphones at high gain. This is assuming you are getting enough voltage from your DAC. That said, the single ended isn't nearly as strong as balanced, but that's the primary driving factor for this amp's sales. But, for instance, if you used an older Schiit DAC, their voltage is 1.5v, whereas a JDS Labs DAC is 2v. That can be an issue.
DiggerFigger
6
Aug 31, 2019
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postwarscarsFirst: A SPL of 102dB is quite efficient.
Ohm isn't everything. They are just a little harder to power than the 58x Jubilees.
Second: I used XLR inputs on the 789 because I thought the LineIn would be handled differently. That didn't change the overall output level so I used an Adapter so I could use the XLR out from the 789 instead of its SE out.
I used a SMSL SU-8 as well as a Yamaha MG10 mixer.
The last one can push significantly higher output voltages as a standard DAC.
I think my text was not really clear so you've might misunderstood what I was trying to say.
postwarscars
1367
Aug 31, 2019
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DiggerFiggerI'm not sure what you mean, because from what I know if you use the XLR input on the 789 you can't drive through single ended. If you used the single ended output of the su-8 to test the single ended headphone output, it's possible you need to increase the level on the DAC (at least I think the su-8 is adjustable at the line level, correct me if I'm wrong). Anyway, what I'm getting at is if the only input you used was XLR I'm surprised you heard anything, and if you used single ended I would check if line level is low (obviously not all DACs have that adjustment). If that level is at all adjustable that is likely your issue. I'm not being combative, so I apologize if I came off that way.
As for the db, yeah it's decent, but at 250ohms you still wouldn't plug that into a phone. It still should get good sound from the 789 on single ended though.
Lisasonictower
666
Sep 1, 2019
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postwarscarsAll headphone outputs work on any input.
What it wont do is SE pass through from the XLR, only SE input will pass through SE
(Edited)
postwarscars
1367
Sep 1, 2019
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LisasonictowerWow I misunderstood that for a while now! We will just pretend I was never here.
phoenixsong
1055
Sep 2, 2019
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postwarscarsMy LG quad dac phone powers 250 ohm beyers just fine :D
DiggerFigger
6
Sep 2, 2019
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phoenixsongDies it make your ears bleed and your eyes resonate like a speaker membrane?
phoenixsong
1055
Sep 2, 2019
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DiggerFiggerMy ears have never bled, nor have my eyes ever resonated like speaker membranes XD I've used many amps with many speakers/headphones/iems/earbuds, and been to many a concert. I've even fired a rifle once without hearing protection (yeah I forgot to put them on :p) If you have experienced the content of your question, I strongly advise you to schedule an appointment with your audiologist- and psychologist- while you're at it :)
(Edited)
phoenixsong
1055
Sep 2, 2019
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phoenixsongI mean, it could be trauma on one hand (sounds like the aftermath of surviving an explosion) and hallucinations on the other XD
(Edited)
Sel2g5
21
Sep 3, 2019
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DiggerFiggerSo, regarding the power cable, you just need to buy the european plug to figure 8 (i dont know what its called)? Sorry the unit was underpowered, I hope you can work it out...
DiggerFigger
6
Sep 3, 2019
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Sel2g5Yes.
The AC/DC transformer can handle 110-230V inputs and the cable on the AC-side is detachable. So you just need the figure 8 to standard European plug cable which you probably got lying around somewhere (from a Radio or alike)
DiggerFigger
6
Sep 3, 2019
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phoenixsongI did have a gas cartridge explode near me and several motorcycle crashes, BUT:
This doesn't change the fact that my hearing is still at least average for my age (<30y) and that Slayer cannot possibly be too loud ever.
HIFI778
652
Sep 6, 2019
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DiggerFigger75 Euros duty charges on a 300 Eur item????? What thiefs those governments now 😱😱😱😱
(Edited)
CEE_TEE
3480
Sep 7, 2019
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DiggerFiggerHi There,
Just wanted to let you know that there is a way to get more power from the single-ended output and it is not super-intuitive.
Gains 1 & 2 allow a higher input voltage than gain level 3.
If you find a hot source of 4-7V, you can use Gain 2 and get a lot of throughput.
Here is some info so you can get maximum output with your 789:
Where we landed in Gains: Balanced: Gain: 0.66x , 2.0x, 6.6x (-4, +6, +16 dB), selectable via front switch. Output impedance: < 0.1 ohms Single-Ended: Gain: 0.33x , 1.0x, 3.3x (-10, 0, +10 dB), selectable via front switch. Output impedance: < 0.05 ohms INPUT Maximums: The 789 can tolerate the following rms input voltage from your DAC without clipping: -10dB Mode: 7 V 0 dB Mode: 7 V +10 dB Mode: 2.1 V On the 789, the RCA unbal and XLR-3 bal have same input voltage tolerance. Here are two good options for you that will avoid clipping at any volume level with a 4.5V DAC: 1) Use 789 in 0dB or -10dB mode all the time and you'll never clip even at full volume. You'll achieve 4.5V for your TRS headphones, and 9V for your XLR-4 balanced headphones. or 2) To access the maximum voltage swing... attenuate 7dB in your player (e.g. Foobar) or DAC, and then use the 789 in +10dB mode. That'll achieve 7V at your TRS or 14V at your XLR-4, and never clip at any volume level. You should avoid the max gain position unless your DAC is guaranteed (e.g. with attenuation) to not be putting out more than 2.1V. Else you'll clip the preamp inside the 789. The -10dB setting is mainly for sensitive IEM/headphones, where lowest noise and distortion and vol knob usable range are the goals, not 1000's of mW of output power. Here, the max output voltage/power are also reduced by 10dB. If you can't get adequate SPL at -10dB, then switch the gain knob to the 0dB (or even the +10dB setting if you have <2.1V DAC). You can safely change the gain knob -10/0/+10 realtime without any clicks/pops. The 7V/+16dB output is actually unclipped. Clipping (1% THD) starts a bit higher than that. XLR Input impedance is 50k differentially (line-line) and 1Meg each line to GND. Power button: If you forget your amp is on, it is I think 6 hours with nothing coming through and then it will automatically shut itself off. That means we have to have a momentary switch that only serves to try and turn the unit on...so it returns to ready state each time after you press it.
Here is some info so you can get maximum output with your 789:
Where we landed in Gains: Balanced: Gain: 0.66x , 2.0x, 6.6x (-4, +6, +16 dB), selectable via front switch. Output impedance: < 0.1 ohms Single-Ended: Gain: 0.33x , 1.0x, 3.3x (-10, 0, +10 dB), selectable via front switch. Output impedance: < 0.05 ohms INPUT Maximums: The 789 can tolerate the following rms input voltage from your DAC without clipping: -10dB Mode: 7 V 0 dB Mode: 7 V +10 dB Mode: 2.1 V On the 789, the RCA unbal and XLR-3 bal have same input voltage tolerance. Here are two good options for you that will avoid clipping at any volume level with a 4.5V DAC: 1) Use 789 in 0dB or -10dB mode all the time and you'll never clip even at full volume. You'll achieve 4.5V for your TRS headphones, and 9V for your XLR-4 balanced headphones. or 2) To access the maximum voltage swing... attenuate 7dB in your player (e.g. Foobar) or DAC, and then use the 789 in +10dB mode. That'll achieve 7V at your TRS or 14V at your XLR-4, and never clip at any volume level. You should avoid the max gain position unless your DAC is guaranteed (e.g. with attenuation) to not be putting out more than 2.1V. Else you'll clip the preamp inside the 789. The -10dB setting is mainly for sensitive IEM/headphones, where lowest noise and distortion and vol knob usable range are the goals, not 1000's of mW of output power. Here, the max output voltage/power are also reduced by 10dB. If you can't get adequate SPL at -10dB, then switch the gain knob to the 0dB (or even the +10dB setting if you have <2.1V DAC). You can safely change the gain knob -10/0/+10 realtime without any clicks/pops. The 7V/+16dB output is actually unclipped. Clipping (1% THD) starts a bit higher than that. XLR Input impedance is 50k differentially (line-line) and 1Meg each line to GND. Power button: If you forget your amp is on, it is I think 6 hours with nothing coming through and then it will automatically shut itself off. That means we have to have a momentary switch that only serves to try and turn the unit on...so it returns to ready state each time after you press it.
ZeDestructor
16
Sep 9, 2019
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HIFI778€75 is 25% of €300. Given Germany has a 19% sales tax rate, once you add the customs handling fees and other applicable taxes and duties, 25% is entirely reasonable and hardly anything remotely resembling theft.
HIFI778
652
Sep 9, 2019
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ZeDestructor25% tax on an item and you call it fair? Customs again isn’t government? For me it is a theft. Geeeez... 😱 We humans have been blindfoldet to accept everything... when too much will start to seem... simply too much??
(Edited)
ZeDestructor
16
Sep 10, 2019
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HIFI778That's part of the price of living in Germany. If you can't stomach that much, you're free to leave and go elsewhere... though good luck moving to anywhere with comparable health cover, health coverage pricing and standards of living with significantly different tax rates.
DiggerFigger
6
Sep 10, 2019
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ZeDestructor"Duty for Germany was about 75€ (~80$)."
That's a pretty neutral statement. Not a complaint.
And the country you are looking for is called Switzerland.
The tax burden in Germany is second highest in the EU/world(?) after Belgium. Just for comparison.
prestidigitator
77
Sep 11, 2019
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DiggerFiggerWhat is the impedance (in ohms) of your pair of Beyerdynamic DT 1770 Pros?
The 32-ohm, 250-ohm, and 600-ohm versions have vastly different power requirements to reach the same sound pressure level (SPL).
I assume by your description you have the hardest to drive 600 ohm version.
ZeDestructor
16
Sep 13, 2019
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DiggerFiggerOh, I interpreted it that way, no worries. It's the other guy who called the government thieves.
Cortol
10
Dec 25, 2019
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HIFI778Well. In Europe we pay higher taxes compared to other countries like the USA and I really like that considering that we get in return exceptional education, medical and healthcare services, libraries and more payed by us and are for us. I like that model and many of my fellow Europeans will agree.
(Edited)
970EVO
11
May 19, 2020
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DiggerFiggerI found the channel separation to be problematic as well. It really hurts soundstage.
Also, if you select the wrong input, but cranking up the volumn to the max, you can actually hear music. That should tell something about the separation of the input stage.
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