Thomasr
500+ Head-Fier
I'm quite new to headphone hifi, but would love to extract the best possible performance from the modest gear I do have.
My first acquisition was a Fiio BTR7 coupled with Fiio FH5s. Since both are equipped with balanced out/inputs (and the FH5s comes with a frankly insane array of accessories) I used the 4.4mm pentacon cable and haven't looked back.
Several acquisitions later, I find myself with an Aiyima T10 DAC/amp, SMSL HO200 amp, and Monolith M1570 headphones as my go-to setup. The Aiyima is strictly single-ended with RCA outputs. The SMSL has both input and output options for single-ended or balanced (though paired with the Aiyima I'm obviously running RCA inputs). The M1570s shipped with an unbalanced cable and that's what I'm using.
I understand how balanced outputs help feed power to demanding drivers. I've also heard people talk about (and detractors respond to) the idea of better channel separation and a nicer soundstage when running balanced. My questions relate to the above Aiyima/SMSL/Monolith chain:
My first acquisition was a Fiio BTR7 coupled with Fiio FH5s. Since both are equipped with balanced out/inputs (and the FH5s comes with a frankly insane array of accessories) I used the 4.4mm pentacon cable and haven't looked back.
Several acquisitions later, I find myself with an Aiyima T10 DAC/amp, SMSL HO200 amp, and Monolith M1570 headphones as my go-to setup. The Aiyima is strictly single-ended with RCA outputs. The SMSL has both input and output options for single-ended or balanced (though paired with the Aiyima I'm obviously running RCA inputs). The M1570s shipped with an unbalanced cable and that's what I'm using.
I understand how balanced outputs help feed power to demanding drivers. I've also heard people talk about (and detractors respond to) the idea of better channel separation and a nicer soundstage when running balanced. My questions relate to the above Aiyima/SMSL/Monolith chain:
- Moving up to the HO200 immediately had the M1570s scaling with better amplification - clipping was eliminated, soundstage opened way up, and bass reached way deeper. But I'm going to assume I'm now at "plenty" and there's no need to chase more power through balanced amplification
- Am I realistically going to notice a difference (separation, staging, etc.) if I buy the balanced cable for the M1570s and run from the 4.4mm balanced output?
- Moving upstream, there's always the option to make this hobby even more spendy. I could replace the Aiyima with something that has balanced outputs like the SMSL DO200 mk2, and run fully balanced all the way from DAC to cans. But again, worth it? Is there anything worth chasing here?