Audio differences between different amplifiers. Help!

[Sebby]

I bought the Hifiman Arya Stealth a week ago and I can't tell you what a huge leap it has made over the HE400se in every way.

I tried some of my killer tracks after plugging it into the Topping G5 and the Tempotec BHD PRO, both tested on Audioscience.
I used a 20€ 4.4mm cable (the one I used on the HE400se) both plugged into the same source (PC or Smartphone made no difference).
With this specific killer track of mine (the one in the photo from 0:20 onwards) I hear a very strange distortion and collapse of the sound when the strong bass mixes with the female voice at high volumes. The real problem is that I'm noticing that with the Topping, to get that distortion (the female voice collapses) I have to reach higher volume levels (knob at 15 o'clock on high-gain) compared to the Tempotec which gives in at lower volume levels and in any case far from the maximum level. I've also noticed that with the Tempotec I have a much narrower soundstage and less "powerful" sub-bass even at "human" volumes.
As a good objectivist, I can't understand what's going on and yes, I can win any blind test (already done) because the differences, with a little attention, are "dramatic". This thing leaves me perplexed because from the measurements they are both very transparent and capable objects.

Is it possible that there are all these differences? This thing is pushing me to get a Topping E30 II hoping to solve the problem.

 

[NTK]

Do you only notice the difference with this track but not on most other tracks with deep strong bass?

If it is the case, I would first take a closer look at the track. If you can take an audio capture of the track, I'd look at its spectral composition. There are tracks with very low frequency subsonics that may trigger the DAC protection circuits.

Or if you can run PEQ (e.g. Equalizer APO on your PC), add a high pass filter at 20 Hz (2nd order or higher) and see if there is a difference.

 

[DVDdoug]

The real problem is that I'm noticing that with the Topping, to get that distortion (the female voice collapses) I have to reach higher volume levels

The most common kind of distortion is clipping when you over-drive an amplifier, speaker, or headphone and it's more common in bass where the signal tends to be stronger.

In his review, Amir mentioned the the the Hifiman headphones distort with high bass levels and they do have weak bass so it could happen if you boost the bass to correct the frequency response with EQ. You can also get digital clipping if you boost the bass with digital EQ without turning down the overall level with the "preamp" setting. (But you didn't say you were boosting the bass).

I have a much narrower soundstage and less "powerful" sub-bass even at "human" volumes.

Soundstage normally comes from the recording, your brain, and to some extent the headphones. Properly functioning electronics won't affect it unless you have a crossfeed/blend control. Headphone soundstage survey

As a good objectivist, I can't understand what's going on and yes, I can win any blind test (already done) because the differences,

Maybe, but everybody says that! (And blind tests are meaningless if not level matched.)

 

[antcollinet]

I bought the Hifiman Arya Stealth a week ago and I can't tell you what a huge leap it has made over the HE400se in every way.

I tried some of my killer tracks after plugging it into the Topping G5 and the Tempotec BHD PRO, both tested on Audioscience.
I used a 20€ 4.4mm cable (the one I used on the HE400se) both plugged into the same source (PC or Smartphone made no difference).
With this specific killer track of mine (the one in the photo from 0:20 onwards) I hear a very strange distortion and collapse of the sound when the strong bass mixes with the female voice at high volumes. The real problem is that I'm noticing that with the Topping, to get that distortion (the female voice collapses) I have to reach higher volume levels (knob at 15 o'clock on high-gain) compared to the Tempotec which gives in at lower volume levels and in any case far from the maximum level. I've also noticed that with the Tempotec I have a much narrower soundstage and less "powerful" sub-bass even at "human" volumes.
As a good objectivist, I can't understand what's going on and yes, I can win any blind test (already done) because the differences, with a little attention, are "dramatic". This thing leaves me perplexed because from the measurements they are both very transparent and capable objects.

Is it possible that there are all these differences? This thing is pushing me to get a Topping E30 II hoping to solve the problem.

I'd say there is a fairly easy explanation here.

have you looked at the two reviews? Especially the output power measurements into 32 ohms (your new 'phones are 32 ohm)

The topping can do 1W
The Tempotec is only managing 137mW

Quite a difference. Especially when you are talking about bass performance at higher volume - but the Tempotec could still be clipping at "human" volumes depending on what that level means for you.

 

[Keith_W]

Let's post some quick links to reviews for the devices in question:

Hifiman Arya
Tempotec Sonata BHD
Topping G5

With a 32 Ohm load, the Topping G5 is able to output 1.02W before distorting. Tempotec Sonata 137mW (balanced) or 79mW (unbalanced). Note, MILLIWatts. IOW the Topping has more than 7x as much output as the Tempotec before distorting.

The Hifiman Arya's impedance curve looks like this:

Impedance peak = more current demand from the amplifier. If the amplifier can't supply it, you will get dips at those particular frequencies.

Diagnosis: Sounds as if your Tempotec is clipping and distorting. It looks like you need a device with more grunt than your Tempotec.

(edit) @antcollinet beat me to it.

 

[sergeauckland]

Just to point out that an impedance peak requires less current from the amplifier, not more.

S.