Matrix M-Stage HPA-3B Balanced Headphone Amp Discussions | Drop

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Matrix M-Stage HPA-3B Balanced Headphone Amp

Audiophile

FULL DISCUSSION

badheinz1985

Jul 14, 2018

I have no intentions to join this drop since I bought it directly from Matrix (did not want to wait for the drop). It's a nice amp providing plenty of power. How powerful it is? Well... at the moment I'm sitting down with my Fostex T60-RP (absolutely awesome headphones, by the way) on my head with a balanced cable plugged into the amp, and the volume nob is at 10 o'clock, on lowest gain setting (yes lowest gain setting of the available three), and the music is quite loud.
Some notes on build quality: 1. Volume knob could definitely improve to be more indicative. 2. Blue led indicating the power is on (I'm not pointing fingers at anyone, but I know some people out there are very picky about LED indicator colors). 3. Gain switch on the back is too tiny in my opinion. It feels like you could break it. 4. Power switch in the back as well (as you all can see). 5. Class A - gets hot as hell!
Sound: I have no issues with the sound at all. I guess I'm not very picky. Probably more "serious" audiophiles with better ears can share more useful opinions here.
Here is a pic of my setup for you...

^^ As you can probably see, I'm feeding it with XLR cables from the Quattro II.

Jul 14, 2018

elau

Jul 14, 2018

badheinz1985It's too bad they don't stack, right? Do you hear much difference between the Quattro II's internal amp and the discrete one?

Jul 14, 2018

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badheinz1985

Jul 14, 2018

elauIndeed they do not stack at all. I have a big desk, so I can live with that. I can also buy/build audio racks to solve the problem if I need more space. Regarding the sound differences... Well... I believe that to make any scientific conclusion about the difference between two amps, you need properly conducted blind testing, with volume matching and so on... On the other hand, you can scientifically measure both amps (something I'm not qualified to do). I can tell you for sure that the internal amp of the Quattro is relatively weak. It can drive Senn HD598. It can barely drive the Senn HD660S (awesome cans as well, I game in them). I did not even try the T60-RP with the internal amp of the Quattro. Hope it helps...

Jul 14, 2018

rslatara

287

Jul 18, 2018

badheinz1985I love my T60RP with Mayflower baffle and ZMF proteins on my xDuoo TA-10 which is 2000mw @32ohm. ;)

Jul 18, 2018

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Maxxevv

Jul 19, 2018

badheinz1985It is possible to tune the signature of the sound with some opamps. Only tricky bit with this one is the operating voltage which runs on 18V instead of the more common 15V most of the popular opamps use.
It does limit the options available as a result.

Jul 19, 2018

badheinz1985

Jul 19, 2018

MaxxevvWell... I don't see myself messing with the circuitry of the unit. If l ever want an amp that messes with the sound signature, I'll just by myself a tube amp. Although I can hardly see myself doing that as well... One hot-as-hell amplifier is more then enough for my room.

Jul 19, 2018

Maxxevv

Jul 19, 2018

badheinz1985Of course, not everybody seeks out such things. Just highlighting the possibility with this amp.
Just ordered mine a few hours back, hope to receive them soon. ;)

Jul 19, 2018

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evilizlan

Aug 13, 2018

badheinz1985like me.. why its in blue? i guess we can change the LED yes? any experience on swapping the stock opamp to Burson V5i?

Aug 13, 2018

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AndyZilla

Jan 3, 2019

badheinz1985Hi, quick question if you don't mind :D I have the same amp and bought balanced headphones cables, but the volume is the same as single ended, no difference in Db whatsoever. Is it the case with your unit as well or are my cables the problem? :D Thx

Jan 3, 2019

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badheinz1985

Jan 7, 2019

AndyZillaSure man. Here is the rig I used for testing:

Headphones - Fostex T60RP.
Cables: Standard cable provided with the headphones for the unbalanced out and Fostex 4-pole to XLR cable which I purchased for the balanced output (you can find all of them on this page: https://www.fostexinternational.com/docs/products/T60RP.shtml).
Amplifier gain setting - lowest of the three.
Volume knob position: 10:30.
The amplifier was fed from the balanced DAC as you see in the photo above, through balanced cables (nothing fancy about the cables, you can find them reasonably priced on Amazon).

I can tell you that switching quickly from the unbalanced to the balanced cable definitely led to a volume increase, but not a dramatic one. I think with the Sennheiser HD 660S I will get the same results...

Jan 7, 2019