[leeperry]

Hiya, expecting one and apparently there's no user manual, can I feed it 2xRCA and output XLR4 please? Any disadvantage versus feeding it balanced at all?

SMSL SP200 sounded thin and lo-fi with HE500, I do plan on also using it with HE6SEV2 so I sure hope not to be disappointed

 

[OldDude04]

Hiya, expecting one and apparently there's no user manual, can I feed it 2xRCA and output XLR4 please? Any disadvantage versus feeding it balanced at all?

SMSL SP200 sounded thin and lo-fi with HE500, I do plan on also using it for HE6SEV2 so I sure hope not to be disappointed

This amp isn't actually a fully discrete balanced unit, so you are able to use any of the 3 jacks on the front for your headphones in combination with either the RCA or XLR as your input.

 

[leeperry]

Right but I think unbalanced input to balanced HO comes with cons usually? No advantage of feeding a balanced DAC when going XLR4 HO?

 

[OldDude04]

Right but I think unbalanced input to balanced HO comes with cons usually? No advantage of feeding a balanced DAC when going XLR4 HO?

Unless for some reason your DAC sounds way better via XLR vs RCA it's not going to make a difference. The XLR inputs and RCA inputs take the same path through this amp, so there's no advantage on the amp side of the equation to using either input.

 

[leeperry]

Usually converting unbalanced to balanced is calling for trouble but fair enough, I might try to snatch a balanced DAC later.

And IRL balanced headamping doesn't really exist, it's more of an internal topology design IIUC.

BTW I'm glad to see that it doesn't run the crappy-sounding usual 6120's: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...thx-aaa-887-headphone-amp.31366/#post-1243170

And if this can't fuel HE6SEV2, then I dunno what will

ATOM+ is crying, cavalry's is always late but it's coming

 

[Cat Whisperer Bob]

This amp isn't actually a fully discrete balanced unit, so you are able to use any of the 3 jacks on the front for your headphones in combination with either the RCA or XLR as your input.

On the THX 887 if you use the XLR balanced out you get 8.8 wpc at 16 ohms and 6 wpc at 32 ohms. The HE6’s are 50 ohms so you will still get a solid 4 wpc.
Don’t use the single end headphone Jack they only have 1.6 wpc at 32 ohms so you’ll barely drive those cans. Balanced or unbalanced input doesn’t matter, it’s the output stage of this amp that counts as it’s a fully balanced design. With the xlr out it will blow away the SMSL 200.

 

[leeperry]

it's a copycat of derp's one apparently and it wouldn't be a true balanced headamp so indeed unbalanced input should be fine: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...p-thx-aaa-789-headphone-amp.5327/#post-117955

Shame both units use a cheapo pot, though.

 

[OldDude04]

On the THX 887 if you use the XLR balanced out you get 8.8 wpc at 16 ohms and 6 wpc at 32 ohms. The HE6’s are 50 ohms so you will still get a solid 4 wpc.
Don’t use the single end headphone Jack they only have 1.6 wpc at 32 ohms so you’ll barely drive those cans. Balanced or unbalanced input doesn’t matter, it’s the output stage of this amp that counts as it’s a fully balanced design. With the xlr out it will blow away the SMSL 200.

Oh I def wasn't telling him to run his HE6's from the single ended side, lol. It would barely make noise. I just meant that it was possible to use either jack with either input due to the amp's design.

 

[OldDude04]

And if this can't fuel HE6SEV2, then I dunno what will

If you don't feel that the Monolith runs your HE6's, there is always the option of getting one of THESE for $279 right now. The Emotiva BasX A2m (newer version of the BasX A100). It comes with jumpers you can install that runs the full 50W to the headphone jack. Giving you these numbers:

• Power Output (headphone output; direct drive mode - requires internal jumper; USE WITH CAUTION): 8 Ohms: 50 watts / channel 33 Ohms: 12 watts / channel 47 Ohms: 8.5 watts / channel 150 Ohms: 2.6 watts / channel 300 Ohms: 1.3 watts / channel 600 Ohms: 0.6 watts / channel

 

[Cat Whisperer Bob]

That’s like my first amp was a little Schiit Magni. I had just gotten into this foolishly addicting and wonderful hobby. My friend brought over his headphones so I could try some different styles, 2 Sennheiser and 2 Hifiman, one was a HE6. We had a good time checking everything out but the HE6’s would barely get to medium volume on that amp turned all the way up.
Sold that amp on EBay the next week!

 

[Cat Whisperer Bob]

If you don't feel that the Monolith runs your HE6's, there is always the option of getting one of THESE for $279 right now. The Emotiva BasX A2m (newer version of the BasX A100). It comes with jumpers you can install that runs the full 50W to the headphone jack. Giving you these numbers:

• Power Output (headphone output; direct drive mode - requires internal jumper; USE WITH CAUTION): 8 Ohms: 50 watts / channel 33 Ohms: 12 watts / channel 47 Ohms: 8.5 watts / channel 150 Ohms: 2.6 watts / channel 300 Ohms: 1.3 watts / channel 600 Ohms: 0.6 watts / channel

That’s a good option for the money if you’re careful with the connection. Best bet for a little more is the Burston Funk, some folks run the HE6’s right off the speaker terminals with the proper cabling. My friend has a Schiit Ragnarock it’s 45 wpc and the HE6’s really sing on that!

 

[leeperry]

I'm not keen on wasting +200W on my energy bill to fuel HE6, mine is SEV2 so hopefully a tad more efficient than vintage ones and I'm quite hopeful that XLR4 in high gain off 887 should deliver

 

[Cat Whisperer Bob]

Using this Monoprice amp with a Musician Pegasus R2R DAC and they pair very well. The soundstage is nice and tall but clear.

 

[jonathan c]

Using this Monoprice amp with a Musician Pegasus R2R DAC and they pair very well. The soundstage is nice and tall but clear.

Which cable between h/p/a and d/a/c?

 

[Cat Whisperer Bob]

Hi Jonathan, I’m using a Custom Cans dual XLR to XLR. Love their cables!