Amp gain vs Superlux 668B

[MrNice13]

Hi

I know this sort of thread already have posted but this is my case

My friend give me his iBasso DC03 pro and Im trying to figure out if it is better to stay in low gain medium or high with my 668B. Depend how well the music was recorded if I'm in low gain I'm at 85% but sometimes I find the bass and dynamics lacking.

Im not an expert in distortion and all that so that's why I ask. In my understanding even at high gain I normally cannot hear distortion even if I crank the volume to 80%?
The 668B are 56ohms and 97 SPL dB/Mw. The sound is pretty amazing btw but I was just asking to have more knowledge about how loud I can drive them.
Another thing I've see in the iBasso app there's an output toggle for Normal or Turbo I'm pretty sure is the voltage output. There's 5 digital filter to Fast roll off, Short delay fast, short delay slow, NOS. There's no audible difference I think but I need to choose one which?

Thanks guys


DC03pro
>DAC: CS43131*2 Dual DACs.
>THD+N: -111dB(32Ω load), -114dB(300Ω load).
>OUtput Level: 2Vrms(300Ω), 1.77Vrms(32Ω).
>Frequency response: 20Hz-40kHz.
>Noise floor: <0.9u.
.SNR:127dB.
>Output impedance: <0.12Ω.
>Output Power: 98mW@32Ω.

 

[solderdude]

I was just asking to have more knowledge about how loud I can drive them.

To drive them to 124dB (with lots o' distortion) you will need 4V
As the max output voltage is 1.9V means peaks of 117dB are possible, so around 110dB average with pop music which is loud.

 

[MrNice13]

Thanks for the response Ok I need precision here please max output 1.9 V so peak at 117dB. Where's those number come from I need just simple precision please

 

[MrNice13]

And what about the gain.. it is best to drive them to high?

 

[Jimbob54]

And what about the gain.. it is best to drive them to high?

Use whichever gain setting gets you the volume you want . It shouldnt change the sound other than the volume you can get. The numbers solderdude quoted would be in high gain I assume.

Use the fast filter

 

[MrNice13]

@Jimbob54 @solderdude
Thanks dudes

 

[solderdude]

Thanks for the response Ok I need precision here please max output 1.9 V so peak at 117dB. Where's those number come from I need just simple precision please

Max output voltage of the dongle = 1.9V.
Sensitivity of the headphone = 112dB/V
20*LOG(1.9/1) = 5.6dB
112+ 5.6dB = 117.6dB
At these levels there will be some compression so around 117dB peaks

 

[MrNice13]

Max output voltage of the dongle = 1.9V.
Sensitivity of the headphone = 112dB/V
20*LOG(1.9/1) = 5.6dB
112+ 5.6dB = 117.6dB
At these levels there will be some compression so around 117dB peaks

man thanks

 

[Jimbob54]

man thanks

That doesnt mean if you max the volume you will be listening at that level though. That entirely depends on the content youre playing.

 

[MrNice13]

That doesnt mean if you max the volume you will be listening at that level though. That entirely depends on the content youre playing.

Of course 90dB is already painful for me

 

[solderdude]

90dB peaks is a moderate active listening level and is between 75dB and 80dB average.
Music peak SPL is nothing like average noise level warnings.

 

[MrNice13]

Sensitivity of the headphone = 112dB/V

dB/V = dB/mW - 10 * LOG10 Impedance/1000

Correct? They must all (headphone makers) put it in Volt other than mW its useless.

 

[MrNice13]

Music peak SPL is nothing like average noise level warnings

Yeah I suppose because its a sound pressure to your hear not something you hear at like 1 or 2 meter like a motorcycle bike passing near you at 90 dB.

 

[solderdude]

Yep, efficiency (dB/mW) is rather useless as you also need to incorporate the impedance and... headphone amps output a voltage level anyway not a power level.

Even sensitivity numbers are just indicative as that can differ many dB depending on the tonal balance and way it is obtained.

 

[MrNice13]

Yep, efficiency (dB/mW) is rather useless as you also need to incorporate the impedance and headphone amps output a voltage level.

Even sensitivity numbers are just indicative as that can differ many dB depending on the tonal balance and way it is obtained.

Thanks @solderdude
I learned a lot from this forum I'm glad there's people like you willing to help people learn audio world and deepen they're knowledge