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Topping A90 Headphone Amplifier Review
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maxxevv
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Outside of electrostatics and the Raal ribbon, cannot think of any reason why one would need more power than what the A90 can supply.
Why do you actually NEED that ??
wacomme
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I probably don't NEED it. I just want something that will be somewhat future proof. I have electrical inferences issues off and on. Thus, I want balanced inputs for my desktop powered speakers. In reality, the DX3Pro+ will suffice since with some wire adjusting and using just one surge protector for all of my desk electronics, the interference noise is now gone (for now). And for a small desk (47" x 27") a combined AMP/DAC is probably better than two units. BUT, I would like more power, prefer balanced, and just want a separate AMP and DAC.
I believe the DX3Pro+ would drive my Sundara and 560S headphones just fine. And if or when I buy hard to drive headphones, or NEED balanced inputs, I suppose I could buy something new at that time. So why spend $600+ for the DO100 + A90 when the $200 DX3Pro+ fits my current needs? I suppose I should save myself $400; I guess there isn't a NEED for something more.
I believe the DX3Pro+ would drive my Sundara and 560S headphones just fine. And if or when I buy hard to drive headphones, or NEED balanced inputs, I suppose I could buy something new at that time. So why spend $600+ for the DO100 + A90 when the $200 DX3Pro+ fits my current needs? I suppose I should save myself $400; I guess there isn't a NEED for something more.
Hifiman Susvara and Abyss DTC. A little more power for some overhead and future proofing.
wacomme
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Has it been confirmed that the A90 has grounding issues? And what is the Raal ribbon issue? I can’t find anything about it.
wacomme
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I’m circling back to the A90, A90D, or the A30Pro.
If my DAC has a preamp, is there any advantage of the A90/A90D over the A30Pro?
maxxevv
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According to the ASR measurements of the Abyss here, it needs 1.03V with a 49 Ohm rating to reach 94db sound levels. The HE-6 needs an even higher 1.25V with a 50 Ohm rating.
But according to Amir, you don't need anything more than the A90 to drive them to beyond satisfactory listening levels.
Hifiman HE-6 Review (Headphone)
This is a review and detailed measurements of the Hifiman HE-6 open-back, Planar Magnetic Headphone. It was kindly loaned to me by a member. There are different versions of this headphone in the wild. This is the "4-screw" version. The HE-6 has been discontinued. When available, it cost US...
www.audiosciencereview.com
And to add, according to online nomenclature, the HE-6 runs a abysmal 77 db/mV sensitivity, 50 Ohm impedance. BUT at 94dB SPL, it only needs 51mW of power !
Headphones Power Calculator
Calculate the power needed to drive your headphone based on sensitivity (db/mw or db/V), impedance (ohms) and loudness (dbSPL)
www.headphonesty.com
Push that power draw 10 times and you are still barely past 0.5W !
Why would you need anything more than 3W / Channel at 32 Ohm for that kind of power draw ? Which even on the conservative side of things, scale down to over 1.5W / channel at 50 Ohm load.
As for the Raal, its the SR1a :
RAAL-requisite SR1a Ribbon Headphone Review
This is a review and detailed measurements of the Raal SR1a "true ribbon earfield" headphone. It is on kind loan from a member. As configured (with Pelican case and cabling) costs US $3,500. But that is not your full cost. You also need a home hifi amplifier that can produce minimum of 100...
www.audiosciencereview.com
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does the A90 clip often?
Does A90 really clip if nobody is there to hear it?
Bow_Wazoo
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So either my new A90 is defective,
or I pushed it to its power limits with my HE6SE v2.
From about 9 o'clock position, high gain, and EQ with 8db bassshelf,
I have regular dropouts in the sound...
If I turn down significantly, there are no problems...
or I pushed it to its power limits with my HE6SE v2.
From about 9 o'clock position, high gain, and EQ with 8db bassshelf,
I have regular dropouts in the sound...
If I turn down significantly, there are no problems...
cheapmessiah
Active Member
Try the bass shelf from 0 dB with increments of 0.5 dB to see how high you can go before it hits the current limiter
cheapmessiah
Active Member
That is both great and bad at the same time.
You might need a Burson Audio engineering solution:
solderdude
Grand Contributor
I figure it is the DC protection kicking in not clipping or over current protection.
Add a steep 10Hz high-pass filter as well and you will probably be rid of the cut-outs.
A bass shelf will also increase frequencies below 16Hz which should not be there in music anyway.
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Just checking, what dac at what output setting/level into which inputs on the A90?.
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