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ARaudio
38
Mar 7, 2021
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I did something different with my 6XX. I mostly drive my 6XX either by Schitt stack or by Micca Amp, or on Desktop. But yesterday I plugged it directly into the line out (using an RCA to 3.5 converter cable) of my 2009 Sony BluRay player BDP S360 playing an Audio CD. I assumed that the sound out of 6XX will be feeble as the Lineout cannot drive 300Ohms. But to my surprise, the volume was soo loud that I was not able to listen for more than a minute. There was no volume control in line, so I was not able to control volume. The sound was clear and a little bit extra Bassey(good) that the external DAC. The main reason why I plugged the 6XX directly into the Analog out of BluRay Player was because I have always been curious to know which DAC is better- OnBoard Sony BDPlayer's or external Schiitt or Micca. The result almost felt like I can use the 6XX with the BluRay player to enjoy the CDs by placing a passive volume control(like Schiit Sys) inline. Please share your thoughts.
So here are few questions..
- How was RCA out able to drive by headphones so loudly (You can try at your home if you don't think it will break your 6XX)
- Are DACs inside name brand BluRay Players (Sony, Samsung, Panasonic) better than the externals DACs (Modi, Micca, O2, SMSL, FiiO) we use these days?
raansire7
1507
Mar 9, 2021
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ARaudioI apologize in advance for being extremely wordy. 😬
1) The reason why it was loud is because RCA outputs push out VOLTS. Maybe you've seen car head units literature that say their RCA outs push (a puny) 2V or (a desirable) 4.5V...even 5V.
2V is not much output voltage for a car amplifier to get super loud, clean and satisfying to hardcore bass heads or SQ freaks.
When matching and setting gain, it would need to be higher, and noise from the amp would show compared to 5V, which is a strong signal that results in the amp needing way less gain to match the output of the head unit.
Well, headphones have tiny drivers and can sound very loud with a test tone on just a single mW. 2V, which translates to a number of milliwatts that I'm not going to convert because I don't know the formula from memory (but it's easy), is a respectable amount of power for headphones.
2) Depends. It can be both ways. In a circuit design, badly-implemented good DACs could sound worse than well-implemented lesser DACs.
It's like that with most things in life. Cheap ingredients can make an awesome-tasting meal when made by a competent cook, he-he. 😁👍
Now, keep in mind that internal BD player DAC chips are used for one thing, and external, dedicated Hi-Fi DAC units for another, some intented strictly for headphone listening as their primary duty.
EDIT: Your BD player's line out puts 2V, but it has 10,000 ohms of impedance, which is fine for its original application but super high and undesirable for headphone applications. It's not an adjustable volume amplifier design with headphone amplification in mind.
The reason why it made the HD 6XX bassier is because amplifier output impedance, in simple terms, results in changing the sound signature of the dynamic drivers, because they have varying impedance depending on their design and desired application.
Due to their fundamental design, the impedance of dynamic drivers changes with frequency. It goes up and down with music.
Now, what sounds bad for someone can sound good to someone else even if it's "wrong". Still, low-impedance headphones sound their "best" with low-impedance outputs.
There is a guideline, I don't remember the ratio, that is used for knowing the proper range of output impedance in relationship with headphone impedance that won't adversely affect their sound.
It's why the Bottlehead Crack with its very high-impedance output is so loved by a lot of people when combined with the HD 650/6XX, but those same people dislike it with low-impedance headphones.
That amplifier was intentionally designed to have a very high-impedance output in order to interact desirably with high-impedance headphones.
What you're doing with your BD player is "wrong", but if your hearing is not being harmed and the Schiit Sys' impedance doesn't undesirably affect the sound you already liked, there is NOTHING wrong with your experiment, and much less with you enjoying that sound signature.
It's your own ears. No one else matters. There is no arbiter in this game but yourself. Just be careful with the volume levels. They can be harmful even if your ears are feeling good. God bless you!
(Edited)
ARaudio
38
Mar 10, 2021
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raansire7Thank You very much for a detailed reply. Much appreciated. I have stopped using the RCA outputs at least for 2 reasons. 1. Because they are so loud and I cannot stand such loudness for more than few minutes, I need to buy a SYS which is about $65 including shipping. 2. I am afraid it will damage the 6XX if it is connected to RCA outs for a long time. I went back to external DAC/Amp Combos.
raansire7
1507
Mar 10, 2021
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ARaudioThat depends on your individual likes and based on reviews. It's all about reading and watching videos to see if you like what the reviewers say about the product you've never heard before; if it resonates with you. That's how I do it. 🤓
I'd either get the U.S.A.-made Valhalla 2 or the build-your-own Crack. I own many Schiit products and they're an easy company to work with when it comes to warranty. I've experienced it. The owner can be found on Head-Fi and he always takes care of people himself when they have unresolved issues. I trust Schiit Audio before any other audio company. That's just me. 😃
The Crack has only a few parts one needs to solder, and the instructions are detailed and illustrated; they hand-hold you during the process. I've read and watched videos of the Crack. I also like its website.
Soldering skills needed are of the most basic level, so YouTube tutorials are really all one needs if lacking experience, and also some solder and spare boards to practice in with a soldering iron. I plan to buy and build one this year to finally hear that popular design with my HD 6XX
I wouldn't touch a DarkVoice. Who knows who really makes it and with what kind of care they operate not only in choosing quality components but also testing it.
I've read way too many horror stories about the DarkVoice and La Figaro amps to even risk my money with them. They're pricey, too. That amount of money buys reputable, quality equipment. I just like to buy from manufacturers that I can easily reach and I can also trace back to a physical location.
ARaudio
38
Mar 11, 2021
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raansire7Thank You. Reasonable. I do not have a problem Soldering Bottle crack, I can do that in a weekend. My concern is mostly about the output sound quality. About Valhalla, version 2 has been in the market for a while, so I am afraid that they will release Valhalla 3 right after I purchase version 2. I emailed to Schitt inquiring if they are releasing ver 3 any soon, they responded immediately that they do not have any Valhalla upgrade scheduled (They might not want to cannabolize ver 2 sales by telling about ver 3 release). So, I am not sure if it is wise to wait for Valhalla 3 or pull the trigger on 2. Or better if Drop considers it. Meanwhile, I am happy with my solid state Amps.
raansire7
1507
Mar 11, 2021
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ARaudioThe reason they told you that, which they already explained in Head-Fi why they won't release a Valhalla 3, is that the Valhalla 2 is as good as that design can get!
EDIT: Same case as the Asgard 2. They cannot improve the design further, which is why the Asgard 3 is so different, and gets out of pure Class A after 500mW.
(Edited)
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