RME Babyface Pro FS Portable Interface Review

[ra990]

supposedly technically, if I use the 6.3mm output with 32Ω headphones, there will be a change in sound, especially at low frequencies.

I believe this applies more to dynamic drivers and not so much to planars.

BTW, the Topping L30 II recommended earlier is an excellent choice for ultra clean amplification, small foot print, at a great price. I keep one paired to another RME interface I have. I keep its volume full and control my headphone volume through the RME's phone's output level in TotalMix, just like I would if they were plugged in directly - except I have gobs more power.

 

[memopro]

I believe this applies more to dynamic drivers and not so much to planars.

BTW, the Topping L30 II recommended earlier is an excellent choice for ultra clean amplification, small foot print, at a great price. I keep one paired to another RME interface I have. I keep its volume full and control my headphone volume through the RME's phone's output level in TotalMix, just like I would if they were plugged in directly - except I have gobs more power.

Thanks for the reply.
I also thought that planar headphones were an exception, but I was told that it doesn't matter what the headphones are, only their impedance is important, I don't know, I'm not familiar with such detailed information.
I'm thinking of ordering a Topping DX1 for my Slate Audio VSX, and I'll use HIFIMAN HE400se with a 3.5mm RME Babyface output.

 

[AnalogSteph]

I also thought that planar headphones were an exception, but I was told that it doesn't matter what the headphones are, only their impedance is important,

This is definitely incorrect. 32 ohm dynamic driver IEMs might have a sensitivity of 120 dB / 1 V, while a planar in the same impedance range might end up at little over 100 dB / 1 V. That is a major difference in power required to drive each to the same levels. Let's say it's 18 dB, then you need 63 times as much power for the planars. For the IEMs you need little more than 3 mW to drive them to 110 dB SPL, which most anything will do... if you need close to 200 mW instead, an amp seems hardly avoidable.

 

[memopro]

This is definitely incorrect. 32 ohm dynamic driver IEMs might have a sensitivity of 120 dB / 1 V, while a planar in the same impedance range might end up at little over 100 dB / 1 V. That is a major difference in power required to drive each to the same levels. Let's say it's 18 dB, then you need 63 times as much power for the planars. For the IEMs you need little more than 3 mW to drive them to 110 dB SPL, which most anything will do... if you need close to 200 mW instead, an amp seems hardly avoidable.

It's not about the required power from the amplifier, it's clear to me that lower sensitivity requires more power.

In this case, we are talking about using headphones with 32Ω impedance with a 6.3mm output on a babyface, which has an output impedance of about 10Ω , i.e. it is claimed that the high impedance of the output will change the frequency response of the headphones with 32Ω impedance, even though they are planar headphones.

 

[MC_RME]

Who claimed that where exactly? You might have misread that one. It is common knowledge that planars have a frequency-independent impedance, so no such effects will happen.

 

[memopro]

Who claimed that where exactly? You might have misread that one. It is common knowledge that planars have a frequency-independent impedance, so no such effects will happen.

Here: https://forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.php?id=40078

Thanks, Matthias!
Absolutely, this is the answer I was looking for.
I knew that planar headphones have a constant impedance in this case (32Ω) and should not give deviations as with dynamic headphones, because with them the impedance is not constant and from there their frequency response is affected by the output impedance of the amplifier.

 

[MC_RME]

'ramses' wrote about damping control, not frequency response variations. And while measurable they won't be audible in this case.

 

[memopro]

'ramses' wrote about damping control, not frequency response variations. And while measurable they won't be audible in this case.

In this case, can I use HIFIMAN HE400se (32Ω) with 6.3mm output on RME Babyface Pro FS?!

 

[MC_RME]

Of course. If it's loud enough for you or not I can't say, though. Just try it.

 

[memopro]

Of course. If it's loud enough for you or not I can't say, though. Just try it.

It is enough for me, I amplify the sound up to a maximum of -18-20db (40%-45%) and it is enough for me, at the same fader levels it gives me about 6db higher sound level than the 3.5mm output.
Thanks you so much, Matthias!

 

[alexcoitus]

just for information, rme babyface pro has a dramatic change in sound with a 12v 2a power adaptor connected

 

[Purité Audio]

Uh huh, and obviously you have two baby face pro units and compared them unsighted?
Keith

 

[alexcoitus]

if you want to compare you just plug and unplug the adaptor, its that easy

 

[Purité Audio]

As you remain unaware as the adaptor is switched and then can reliably pick the change.
Keith

 

[alexcoitus]

i didnt understand you, but just do it, the change is night and day, its not just a subtle change

 

[Purité Audio]

You have to ‘do it’ but to be valid you mustn’t know whether the adaptor is in or out of circuit.
Keith

 

[Blumlein 88]

i didnt understand you, but just do it, the change is night and day, its not just a subtle change

I have one of these and the adapter. I have used it with adapter a few times. I did not notice any difference. If there is one it is subtle. I could measure it both ways and see if there are any differences. I don't know that I'll bother as I would be very surprised given the company and its products if they would put something out like that.

However, I would ask what was your method to determine this difference? If it is the typical just listen it is obvious, well no it was not to me.

So did you have someone switch it for your or exactly what was your method?

 

[caught gesture]

the change is night and day

Whenever I read night and day difference, I immediately think cognitive bias. My wife hearing the difference from the kitchen triggers me the same way!

 

[alexcoitus]

my babyface pro is connected to a singxer sa-1 then to focal speakers alpha 80.
when i put the 12v power adaptor (which i took from my little vaccuum machine} it took around 10-20 seconds to make a difference,
it upgraded gradually in 20 seconds time. the bass has 3 times the slam, the sound stage opened dramaticaly. the mids are alive,
it has to not be me the only one that is happening, i just informed my experience since i see people want to upgrade their babyface,
now i understand that the voltage is playing the biggest role in dacs

 

[Purité Audio]

Three times the bass slam wow.
Keith