Nope you can't tap into the balanced output that way. Simple explanation, BAL has R+ R- L+ L- while single ended connection has only half the pin-out. So those adapters are a scam, at best you get half the balanced voltage (effectively identical to connecting to SE out) and at worst you can damage the amp.I noticed that the balanced AMPs usually have less power on the unbalanced outputs. In case of having headphones with unbalanced cables, if I use an adapter from unbalanced to balanced (for example 6.35 to 4.4) can I get the power from the balanced outputs to drive the headphone with unbalanced cable?
So, the only way is to change the cable to a balanced one?Nope you can't tap into the balanced output that way. Simple explanation, BAL has R+ R- L+ L- while single ended connection has only half the pin-out. So those adapters are a scam, at best you get half the balanced voltage (effectively identical to connecting to SE out) and at worst you can damage the amp.
Short answer, yes! A balanced cable solves this.So, the only way is to change the cable to a balanced one?
L70 + D10 Balanced?Finalmente consegui a cobertura L70
Newbie question: If you are using a balanced output on a headphone amp, is it the cable that needs to be balanced, or is something in the headphones, too?
In my case, I have the Sennheiser 58x headphones. If I were to use them with the Topping L70 in balanced mode, is it just as simple as buying a balanced cable?
And also, if I did not have the balanced cable, does the amp automatically switch itself to single-ended mode? So no problems that way, either?
(Is it just the topology in the amp that enables balanced output if the path is available, and if not, it just defaults to single-ended mode?)
You need a balanced cable but you also need a headphone where the negative terminal of each driver can be connected individually to the cable. For example, if your headphone is connected through a single three pin connector such as TRS or mini XLR3, it cannot be used balanced by changing the cable. If instead each driver is connected individually to the cable such as in the case of the 58X, using a balanced cable is enough.
If you do not have a balanced cable, you should not use the balanced output but use the single ended output, i.e. TRS 6.35 mm. Balanced tends to refer to symmetrical drive, i.e. the amplifier sends the same signal to the headphone driver on both connectors but on the negative connector it is inverted. The driver responds to the difference which is twice the voltage at the positive connector. Single ended the amplifier only sends the signal over the positive terminal while the negative terminal is connected to ground. Again, the driver responds to the difference but it is only the voltage at the positive connector. However, some amplifiers have balanced connectors but operate only single ended.
The L70 uses differential drive so its maximum power using the balanced connector is 4 times higher than using the single ended if enough current is available.
For the 58X, the L70 has enough power in single ended use to reach a peak SPL of 128 dB which is extremely loud. For power alone, using balanced makes little sense in this case.
Thank you for this explanation. I somehow missed that on the L70, the XLR connection is balanced, while the 6.35mm and 3.5mm connections are single-ended.
It seems like the 58X is capable of being used in either balanced or single-ended mode. To use in balanced more, I would need a balanced cable that has an XLR connector
I do not listen at very loud levels, so single-ended will be plenty for my needs. This is what I will do, but I wanted to understand how the balanced mode, works, as well.
I've been on the fence between the A30 and the L70 to pair with my E70. I like the idea of all the single-ended power in the A30, but I think the additional features of the L70 - preamp, remote, 12v trigger - are tipping me toward the L70. I do not listen at loud levels on headphones, anyway.