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- Sep 21, 2019
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Dear All, my L30 finally arrived after 1½ months of wait. I ordered when the device was on backorder from Audiophonics.
Why? Because after many years (since 2010) of not thinking my AKG K701 sounded good (or loud enough) for my taste. I thought I would take the plunge and order a dedicated headphone AMP and see what all the fuss was about (both concerning the L30 and the AKG's).
Ask away
Hope this helps potential buyers (if the measurements (link #1, #2, ...) don't already do this). So far these are my initial impressions:
Why? Because after many years (since 2010) of not thinking my AKG K701 sounded good (or loud enough) for my taste. I thought I would take the plunge and order a dedicated headphone AMP and see what all the fuss was about (both concerning the L30 and the AKG's).
Ask away
Hope this helps potential buyers (if the measurements (link #1, #2, ...) don't already do this). So far these are my initial impressions:
- Absolutely bonkers price/performance - Worth special attention: ½kg AC-AC PSU, dead silent when on and relay controlled outputs.
- The L30 feels very solid and robust when holding it - very nice material use!
- Jack-to-Mini-Jack adaptor included in the box
- Weight: L30 = 350gr / PSU = 585gr!
- The PSU is a true < insert voltage here > AC to 15V AC unit. I think the designer @JohnYang1997 mentioned somewhere (can't find the post) that this is done so that the individual areas within the device can convert to whatever they need (either AC or DC) since some prefer AC and others DC.
- Haven't felt this heft in a PSU (icon core) for a loooong time, ever since SMPS became the norm.
- PSU doesn't have any audible humn og "buzz"
- Approx. 90cm power cable (barrel-plug)
- The GAIN levels (-9dB, 0dB and 9dB) on the front also control the pre-out level - So whatever is connected to the pre-out will be either amplified (+9dB) or whatever the opposite is called (-9dB)
- For my AKG K701's I have the GAIN set to 0dB and my DAC (Sanskrit MKII v2) set to 0dB
- The bass on the AKG's don't disappoint with this device, I haven't heard these overears sound this good - Actually the whole point of buying this amp!
- DAC Sanskrit MKII v2 at 0dB
- In either Pre or HPA mode the opposite (non-selected) output is dead silent.
- When switching between output modes the L30 makes a subtle relay-click sound - So I'm guessing it uses relays
- When switching between output modes the L30 makes a subtle relay-click sound - So I'm guessing it uses relays
- Getting a banana for scale (soon) - My (inner) monkey ate the last one
- When powered, in HPA-mode (not playing music), the device' outside temp is anywhere around ~28-32'C (@23'C room temp) - This temp doesn't change even when playing music at full volume.
- My SONY MDR-1RBT (cabled) sound ok, the closed design results in a narrow soundstage. Although bass is tighter than the AKG's. They're also heavy (because of battery and other circuitry - although this is nothing new) hence not as comfortable as my AKG's.
- My AKG K701 sound very good, the soundstage is wide (open back design), but I must admit the fatigue sets in at moderate to high volume because the highend is a bit "too high". Also these are lacking in bass (even with and without the bassmod)
- I now have the listening pleasure to find my next pair of headphones (preferably over-ear) - So far at play are the HD 660S or the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro. I considered a pair of GRADO's with the many rave reviews of their different models, but a big minus on these are comfort (so I'm told) and my headphones need to be comfy.
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