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hanzy
26
Mar 15, 2015
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Why balanced input but not output?
Mar 15, 2015
GreggoEggo
2
Mar 16, 2015
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hanzyFor DAC and cable compatibility... though yes, it would have been cool if the H10 could also serve as a preamp, but in term of headphone amps, balanced operation and output is a significant expense with questionable payback in terms of performance. Also, if you have more than just a headphone or two, it is a real pain for the expense and swapping of cables to use both balanced headphone jacks and then single ended from other components... Personally, I am glad the Gustard crew just stuck to the basics and delivered a straight up headphone amp with amazing price/performance. I already own one and I am a very big fan of this component. Hoping Massdrop eventually has the X12 DAC on here because it will be a no brainer for me to join that drop.
Mar 16, 2015
Anonymouse
216
Mar 16, 2015
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GreggoEggo"but in term of headphone amps, balanced operation and output is a significant expense with questionable payback in terms of performance."
From the Massdrop blurb, it sounds like it's two mono amp modules with individual power supplies? If so, adding "balanced" headphone output (which in headphone land, just means "dual mono") should be just a matter of wiring it up, and maybe a switch.
Then again, if it has TRS output there's gotta be a common ground in there somewhere, so the "amplification circuits" can't be all that "individual" after all.
Mar 16, 2015
hanzy
26
Mar 17, 2015
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GreggoEggoIndeed this is a fantastic amp for the price. Internals appear somewhat similar to the Violectric V200(~$1,000USD). The V200 or rather the V181 is a piece I've had my eye on for awhile. How similar they really are beyond visual face value, I have no idea. I have heard about loose mainboard screws on these though. Easy enough fix for most people into "techie" hobbies. There is quite a large thread over on head-fi about this amp, and general consensus is good.
Mar 17, 2015
hanzy
26
Mar 17, 2015
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AnonymouseI am no electrical engineer but I think that it may take quite a bit of modification to turn a single ended amp into a balanced unit. Only way I could see it being feasible is if a manufacturer did like many car manufactures do. Run the wiring, but leave the main components out. Makes it easy enough to install the accessory module, code it, and now you have the hi-fi amp(just an example).
Mar 17, 2015
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