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Ryunam
9
Apr 15, 2018
I am greatly enjoying the sound of this amplifier so far! The synergy with both my TH-X00 Ebony and HD6XX is, to simply say, outstanding: lush, tridimensional, weighty, but at the same time remaining crystal clear and transparent, sparkly even. I can definitely hear a big difference if compared to Asgard 2 (previous amp I was using, which was much warmer in its tone and at times felt congested).
I have a question though: I have been turning the amp on/off with the headphones already plugged in at all times (as indicated in the manual under "Best practices"), but I have noticed that when turning the unit off you do hear a noticeable pop: it's not too loud and I always make sure to bring down the volume to the lowest amount before doing this, but since you hear so many differing options on the matter I'd love to collect more advice and understand what the general consensus is in avoid to protect all this gear from any undesired wear or damage. Thanks in advance!
Bazirker
107
Apr 16, 2018
RyunamI am also running the CTH with an HD 6XX, and I never bother to unplug mine when turning the unit on and off. I have owned amps that made a much louder (and much nastier sounding) pop or crackle when turning the unit on and off, and I do not think that it will damage anything to leave the phones plugged in. If anything, I think you are more likely to cause damage to the headphones cable or jack by repetitively plugging and unplugging them, as these jacks can only incur so much physical stress before wearing out (admittedly, quite a lot!) I think they instruct you to unplug your phones first less due to actual risk and more as a "cover your ass" thing, so that if someone just happens to claim "I turned on my amp and it fried my headphones!!" then they can say "well, we told you not to do that..."
SmithyNZ
225
Apr 25, 2018
RyunamI currently use the Asgard 2 (paired with a Bifrost AK4490), and am considering this amp. Given that you've recently made the transition to the CTH from the Asgard 2, do you consider it to be an upgrade (big or small), or simply a step sideways to a different sound signature (but on the same level)? I find that the Asgard 2 is too warm for my HD650/HD6xx headphones for my taste, but pairs well with my 'bright' DT880s. Is there a lot more 'sparkle', or just a bit more sparkle in the CTH?
Oh, and as for the 'pop', I get that even on my Asgard 2 - but I always turn the volume to zero when switching it off to minimise whatever risk of damage may exist when I power it on next - just like I do on my integrated amp/speaker rig.
Ashw99
31
Apr 25, 2018
SmithyNZI'm very interested in some more comments on this amp compared to the Asgard 2. I am using the Asgard with some DT1770's (which are 'neutral'-ish reference cans?). I haven't had any other amp to create a baseline, but didn't realise the Asgard was a 'warm' tone.. I was looking towards this or the Darkvoice to find a darker tone.
SmithyNZ
225
Apr 25, 2018
Ashw99I think the Asgard 2 simply emphasises the 'warm' sound signature that the HD650/HD6xx already has - so it's not so much that it's a warm amp, but more that I need a brighter amp to pair with my Sennheisers. I have a Beresford Caiman (1st gen) DAC/amp as well, which is very analytical and crisp - and find that sound signature a great pairing for the HD650s. I haven't spent any time with DT1770s, but I own the DT880s (which I adore) and have spent time with DT990s, and find the Beyerdynamics to have vast treble extension, so if the DT1770s are anything like that, the Asgard is probably a good pairing.
Ashw99
31
Apr 25, 2018
SmithyNZAh I understand your point now. I believe Asgard and 1770 are a great pairing (maybe the Sanskrit DAC is the weak link here...) - but we're always looking for something more to try right ;)
Thanks for the reply anyhow, this drop is almost over so I've got to make a decision..
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