I got this from Aliexpress. installed under my PC monitor.
My sound card is a SoundBlaster ZxR, with a dedicated headphone amp, with one TPA6120A2 chip. Was doing great for my AKG K701 (62 ohm impedance), but was kind of struggling with my HiFiMan Deva Pro (16 ohm).
I decided to give a try to this E600 amp, because it has two TPA6120A2 chips, in a balanced mode, how the application note recommends them to be used. The Deva can take balanced input too, with the proper 4 pin cable. I have ordered one but it didn't arrived yet.
So I tested it with the unbalanced output. The input is unbalanced anyway, from my PC soundcard.
First, it was having a slight buzz on the RCA input. I was pissed. I had around a small ground loop insolation transformer, put it in on the RCA cables... quiet. That was OK, but it was still bugging me why. Tried a wire between the two cases... not a change.
Eventually I took out the fat, pretty, boutique RCA cables (Monster) and used one of my old cable (from 80's or 90's ?). Holly cow, there was no more buzzing noise!
Yesterday I could not stop listening to music. So much bass, so much airness... I can take it as loud as I want, to ear hurting levels and not a problem. I can't describe how much better sounds that the one chip on the sound card board. Maybe because that also has a passive volume control, that didn't like the 16 ohm at all? IDK.
The board comes with three options of OpAmps, I choose the cheapest one, with JRC NE5532DD. I swapped them with a couple of LM4562NA that I had around. I have done extensive rolling experiments and for me, those are the best sounding. I even used a couple of them inside my sound card (it has sockets for front channels).
The mains is connected trough a fuse holder, in the socket, and the ground wire is connected directly to the case.
I hope the balanced cable comes soon, I can't wait to test it in the proper configuration.
I am happy that for $90, I had such good results. Not sure how it would "measure" if @amirm would measure it, but it sounds good to me.
My sound card is a SoundBlaster ZxR, with a dedicated headphone amp, with one TPA6120A2 chip. Was doing great for my AKG K701 (62 ohm impedance), but was kind of struggling with my HiFiMan Deva Pro (16 ohm).
I decided to give a try to this E600 amp, because it has two TPA6120A2 chips, in a balanced mode, how the application note recommends them to be used. The Deva can take balanced input too, with the proper 4 pin cable. I have ordered one but it didn't arrived yet.
So I tested it with the unbalanced output. The input is unbalanced anyway, from my PC soundcard.
First, it was having a slight buzz on the RCA input. I was pissed. I had around a small ground loop insolation transformer, put it in on the RCA cables... quiet. That was OK, but it was still bugging me why. Tried a wire between the two cases... not a change.
Eventually I took out the fat, pretty, boutique RCA cables (Monster) and used one of my old cable (from 80's or 90's ?). Holly cow, there was no more buzzing noise!
Yesterday I could not stop listening to music. So much bass, so much airness... I can take it as loud as I want, to ear hurting levels and not a problem. I can't describe how much better sounds that the one chip on the sound card board. Maybe because that also has a passive volume control, that didn't like the 16 ohm at all? IDK.
The board comes with three options of OpAmps, I choose the cheapest one, with JRC NE5532DD. I swapped them with a couple of LM4562NA that I had around. I have done extensive rolling experiments and for me, those are the best sounding. I even used a couple of them inside my sound card (it has sockets for front channels).
The mains is connected trough a fuse holder, in the socket, and the ground wire is connected directly to the case.
I hope the balanced cable comes soon, I can't wait to test it in the proper configuration.
I am happy that for $90, I had such good results. Not sure how it would "measure" if @amirm would measure it, but it sounds good to me.
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