MoreExpensiveSuchBetter
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- Jun 5, 2024
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Hi all,
Long time lurker and finally made an account! I recently acquired a SPL Phonitor 2 for more than half off. I loved the sound of it but wanted to run tests between that and a more affordable amp as I’ve read a lot here about how one will get the same performance. After reading reviews from Amir, it appeared that the Topping L30 measured much better than the Phonitor (granted this was for a different model but I believe the circuitry is the same).
For my blind test, I acquired the Douk Audio Little Bear as Amir gave it a great review. I used identical generic cables for both inputs and outputs. I used a multimeter to measure the output of both as well as a SPL meter to confirm volumes were sufficiently matched with a sine wave. The headphones were the Audeze MM-500. had a friend switch between the two while I listened to various tracks. I wanted to make the test as fair and blind as possible.
My results were that 10 out of 12 times, I picked the SPL Phonitor. While it sounded like there was slightly less bass, it sounded more controlled or perhaps the transients were less smeared. There was slightly more top end and the SPL sounded more dynamic. I’d say overall the general impression I had was that the L30 sounded great but almost like everything was a tiny bit squashed.
Now my question for everyone here is - on paper I was expecting both amps to sound the same or the L30 to be slightly better given its measurements. What do you think caused me to prefer the SPL that measured significantly worse? Could it be certain flaws I found appealing? Perhaps the impedance was a better match (although my MM-500s are low impedance and from what I understand the Phonitor won’t be best suited)? I’m an audio engineer and am not in the business of defending my insanely expensive gear - I would be thrilled to sell the unit and pocket that cash.
Is there anything else I should be checking to confirm my results? I did try toggling the different gain modes on the L30 but didn’t seem to be that drastic of a difference.
Thanks in advance! I am not looking to turn this into a more expensive = better thread. I truly want to learn and understand why things are the way they are.
Long time lurker and finally made an account! I recently acquired a SPL Phonitor 2 for more than half off. I loved the sound of it but wanted to run tests between that and a more affordable amp as I’ve read a lot here about how one will get the same performance. After reading reviews from Amir, it appeared that the Topping L30 measured much better than the Phonitor (granted this was for a different model but I believe the circuitry is the same).
For my blind test, I acquired the Douk Audio Little Bear as Amir gave it a great review. I used identical generic cables for both inputs and outputs. I used a multimeter to measure the output of both as well as a SPL meter to confirm volumes were sufficiently matched with a sine wave. The headphones were the Audeze MM-500. had a friend switch between the two while I listened to various tracks. I wanted to make the test as fair and blind as possible.
My results were that 10 out of 12 times, I picked the SPL Phonitor. While it sounded like there was slightly less bass, it sounded more controlled or perhaps the transients were less smeared. There was slightly more top end and the SPL sounded more dynamic. I’d say overall the general impression I had was that the L30 sounded great but almost like everything was a tiny bit squashed.
Now my question for everyone here is - on paper I was expecting both amps to sound the same or the L30 to be slightly better given its measurements. What do you think caused me to prefer the SPL that measured significantly worse? Could it be certain flaws I found appealing? Perhaps the impedance was a better match (although my MM-500s are low impedance and from what I understand the Phonitor won’t be best suited)? I’m an audio engineer and am not in the business of defending my insanely expensive gear - I would be thrilled to sell the unit and pocket that cash.
Is there anything else I should be checking to confirm my results? I did try toggling the different gain modes on the L30 but didn’t seem to be that drastic of a difference.
Thanks in advance! I am not looking to turn this into a more expensive = better thread. I truly want to learn and understand why things are the way they are.