Improving the headphone-listening experience on an audio unit with a 3.5mm jack?

[RobBain]

Hi

[I posted a similar question earlier to the wrong sub-forum. Apols]

I have a little Sony digital recorder I use for unattended wildlife sound recording (PCM-A10 with some nice external mics). I record 24-bit at 96kHz (WAV files). I like my recording set-up but the headphone-listening experience from the PCM-A10 feels a little underwhelming. I'm not looking to tamper with my recorded WAVs as it's easy to mutilate delicate wildlife sounds. And I like to listen on cans from a portable source. I just feel that the immersive listening experience could be 'richer'.

From its 3.5mm jack, the PCM-A10 is feeding my 32 Ohm BD770s (which I also like). I like wired cans.

Could someone give me some advice? Should I stick with the PCM-A10 and add a headphone amp (or something) for a bit more punch/definition, or should I simply pop my microSD cards into a DAP (and, if so, which one and why?).

Happy to provide more info. I just wanted to keep this short.

FYI, the wildlife sounds are very soft and gentle. This ain't Slipknot!

Many thanks in advance,

Rob (UK)

 

[raistlin65]

If it's not getting loud enough, or you're running the volume add or near about as loud as it can go, then a headphone amp might help.

 

[Berwhale]

The PCM-A10 appears to support the LDAC codec for Bluetooth, so I would run your BD 770s from a Qudelix 5K...

Qudelix-5K Bluetooth DAC & Headphone Amp | Audio Science Review (ASR) Forum

You get to keep your wired headphones but also break the physical connection to the PCM-A10 - maybe useful for monitoring live recorings without picking up cable noise?

 

[RobBain]

If it's not getting loud enough, or you're running the volume add or near about as loud as it can go, then a headphone amp might help.

Yeah. Playback volume runs from 0-30 and I'm generally playing back at around 25. So I'm open to suggestions about headphone amps (and a steer regarding which one I should consider trying). Many thanks, Rob

 

[RobBain]

The PCM-A10 appears to support the LDAC codec for Bluetooth, so I would run your BD 770s from a Qudelix 5K...

Qudelix-5K Bluetooth DAC & Headphone Amp | Audio Science Review (ASR) Forum

You get to keep your wired headphones but also break the physical connection to the PCM-A10 - maybe useful for monitoring live recordings without picking up cable noise?

Now, this IS interesting. Thanks Berwhale. FYI, Bluetooth can be used by the PCM-A10 to control the unit (eg. recording settings) from a phone app. It can also be used to sync with wireless cans for playback. It doesn't allow for real-time audio monitoring. Doesn't bother me as I'm never with the recorder when it is recording. I'm in bed and its stuck deep in a forest! Just FYI.

Notwithstanding, your suggestion looks very interesting indeed.

Thanks again,

Rob

 

[Katji]

[btw, in case you don't know, might be interested...] There is a global forest sounds project going on, that I follow on Soundcloud. More of them in UK than anywhere else.

 

[RobBain]

[btw, in case you don't know, might be interested...] There is a global forest sounds project going on, that I follow on Soundcloud. More of them in UK than anywhere else.

Thanks Katji. For me it's a bit like golf. I really love playing. Really love it. But I have much less interest in watching others doing the same!

Thanks anyway.

Rgds,

Rob

 

[raistlin65]

Yeah. Playback volume runs from 0-30 and I'm generally playing back at around 25. So I'm open to suggestions about headphone amps (and a steer regarding which one I should consider trying). Many thanks, Rob

The BTR5 seems like a good choice for you. LDAC Bluetooth is very high quality and unlikely you could tell the difference between it and a wired connection.

 

[RobBain]

The BTR5 seems like a good choice for you. LDAC Bluetooth is very high quality and unlikely you could tell the difference between it and a wired connection.

Many thanks, Raistlin65. This does seem to be an interesting avenue of investigation. Berwhale earlier pointed me at the Qudelix-5k. Now the BTR5 enters the ring. I need to do some reading!

Regards,

Rob

 

[Berwhale]

After another bit of Googling, it appears the the PCM-A10 only supports the SBC codec, which is a bit of a shame given that Sony own LDAC.

See Bluetooth section here: PCM-A10 | Help Guide | Technical specifications (sony.net)

 

[RobBain]

After another bit of Googling, it appears the the PCM-A10 only supports the SBC codec, which is a bit of a shame given that Sony own LDAC.

See Bluetooth section here: PCM-A10 | Help Guide | Technical specifications (sony.net)

Thanks for doing some digging, Berwhale. My technical knowledge in this field is limited - so that's useful (if disappointing). Wonder where to go from here?

Regards,

Rob

 

[Berwhale]

You could get a portable headphone amp and see how you get on with it, for example...

Fiio A5 Portable Headphone Amp Review | Audio Science Review (ASR) Forum

Or you could still go for a Quelix 5K, BTR5 or similar and see if limitations of the SBC codec are audible to you.

 

[raistlin65]

After another bit of Googling, it appears the the PCM-A10 only supports the SBC codec, which is a bit of a shame given that Sony own LDAC.

See Bluetooth section here: PCM-A10 | Help Guide | Technical specifications (sony.net)

Yeah, that really sucks that it doesn't do LDAC. I guess they figure people only need headphones for monitoring a recording, not for critical listening.

 

[RobBain]

Yeah, that really sucks that it doesn't do LDAC. I guess they figure people only need headphones for monitoring a recording, not for critical listening.

The irony being, Raistlin65, that the only way to monitor a live recording with the PCM-A10 is through wired headphones!! Bluetooth is only used for (a) controlling the recording device, and (b) later (off-line) monitoring.

TBH, Bluetooth isn't a priority for me. Nor is Android or streaming services etc. I'm simply trying to find a neat, portable solution to enhance the audio out from my Sony (without distorting my quiet + delicate wildlife sound recordings).

Regards,

Rob