So after researching a bit and reading more on my RME ADI-2 DAC, it appears I had it set up for about 3.5v output. After going into the settings and making some I/O adjustments to have it recalibrate the single-ended outputs to about 2v, my comfortable volume with the Abyss is about 50-55 on the MZ3 dial. This is about 63 dB listening volume, according to my dB meter. Not sure how loudly you guys listen to your music, but in summary, these Abyss headphones require about 10 clicks increase on the MZ3 volume knob.
So after researching a bit and reading more on my RME ADI-2 DAC, it appears I had it set up for about 3.5v output. After going into the settings and making some I/O adjustments to have it recalibrate the single-ended outputs to about 2v, my comfortable volume with the Abyss is about 50-55 on the MZ3 dial. This is about 63 dB listening volume, according to my dB meter. Not sure how loudly you guys listen to your music, but in summary, these Abyss headphones require about 10 clicks increase on the MZ3 volume knob.
So after researching a bit and reading more on my RME ADI-2 DAC, it appears I had it set up for about 3.5v output. After going into the settings and making some I/O adjustments to have it recalibrate the single-ended outputs to about 2v, my comfortable volume with the Abyss is about 50-55 on the MZ3 dial. This is about 63 dB listening volume, according to my dB meter. Not sure how loudly you guys listen to your music, but in summary, these Abyss headphones require about 10 clicks increase on the MZ3 volume knob.
I asked about the max input voltage prior to purchase of my MZ3.
āThe maximum voltage is greater than 5V.ā
Of course Iām not entirely sure why I asked that now, but I was able to find the email.
I certainly havenāt noticed any. Rob Watts chimed in on the Qutest thread and had some reassurance about it as well. I run 3V because theoretically it should have better S/N over the cable run, and I sometimes use my MZ3 as an integrated. Every little bit helps. Even though I know itās perfectly okay, I still get nervous when the volume reads above 75.
I think the MZ3 is likely built like a tank, as I hear no change at all in tone/frequency with 2v or 3.5v. Only the volume compensation is noteworthy. I'll play it safe and keep it at 2v. I also have this same DAC using balanced outs to my Woo WA22 and according to the manual, the balanced outs are 6 dB higher (i.e. double the single-ended output), so when using that amp, I need to change/lower the DAC's I/O setting to achieve 2 v. Not a big deal at all, but something to keep in mind when I switch between these two amps.
I think the MZ3 is likely built like a tank, as I hear no change at all in tone/frequency with 2v or 3.5v. Only the volume compensation is noteworthy. I'll play it safe and keep it at 2v. I also have this same DAC using balanced outs to my Woo WA22 and according to the manual, the balanced outs are 6 dB higher (i.e. double the single-ended output), so when using that amp, I need to change/lower the DAC's I/O setting to achieve 2 v. Not a big deal at all, but something to keep in mind when I switch between these two amps.
Same experience on my end, I have balanced inputs on mine and I do hear a bit better details and clarity that than RCA inputs. They use Lundhal transformers to convert balanced to RCA and not sure if it plays into the equation a bit, its not night and day but one can hear the difference.
I've decided after a bit of experimentation, that my DAC signal doesn't need to be the full 2 v (or higher), as I like to use some of the EQ features. So when those are activated on my DAC, I believe there's an output boost to the MZ3. Thus, my DAC has a dBr reading of -22.0 and I crank up the MZ3 to about 70-75. This produces around ~70 dB on my headphones, which is a comfortable listening level. My previous settings I was experimenting with resulted in 2v and volume of about 40-45 on the MZ3 and at 3.5 v, a volume of about 25 on the MZ3. Using Abyss headphones, by the way. They need a tad more power.
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