Got my D90+A90 stack yesterday.
Using supplied USB cable and short Neutrik/Canare balanced XLR interconnects. Connected by stock ribbon cable to my only headphones, Audeze LCD-2.
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Everyone jokes about #endgame, but this is actually my very first dedicated DAC & headphone amp ever. #firstgame lol. I only got these headphones a few weeks ago (used), so I won't comment on SQ of my setup–I have nothing which to compare.
I can say that this small mountain of Topping looks and works perfectly. I like the size, weight, case style, and controls. Never hot, just slight warmth. Only thing I had to figure out was how to put the D90 into DAC-only mode. (It is super easy but the manual was real bad.)
Question 1: Do I have to leave the ugly serial number stickers on the right sides? Those should have gone on the bottom or elsewhere.
Question 2: I have ordered a balanced XLR "Clear Light" headphone cable from Cardas. What can I expect to change when I switch to that? Will there be more or less gain?
Question 3: I am currently running exclusively on low gain mode, with volume pointing around 9-10pm. Mostly classical music. Are these "easy to drive / low impedance" headphones, or do I just listen at low volume?