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RE: Balanced confusion in high end audio

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In Reply to: RE: Balanced confusion in high end audio posted by Ralph on December 31, 2024 at 13:05:27

Well Manley is not alone. If a manufacturer has an xlr or 4.4mm or 2.5mm jack on their headphone amp, they all say balanced . Here are some examples:

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_956UAHPAMP/Naim-Uniti-Atom-Headphone-Edition.html?tp=60845

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_246ZENCAN/iFi-ZEN-CAN-Standard-Edition.html

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_958MHA200/McIntosh-MHA200.html

And Pass is in good company not offering a 4 pin output:

https://www.musicdirect.com/headphone-amp/music-hall-ph25-2-headphone-amplifier/

https://headphones.com/products/feliks-audio-echo-mk-ii

https://headphones.com/products/leeloo-desktop-tube-headphone-amplifier

And one would think the pro market would be using a 4 pin output for headphones. I own 5 different pro audio products that have headphone outs and none of them have a 4 pin output:

Hafler HA-75- 2 headphone outs all 3 pin
Tascam da-3000
Focusrite Am2
ESI planet 22x
Behringer battery amp

And even the pricey amps or dacs amps like Phonitor and Cranesong and lynx or the well known ones like Rupert Neve or little labs and Klang, none offer 4 pin. Only one I know of is Benchmark. Are the pros missing the boat?

And headphone makers. Lots of one cable cans out there that can't be run 4 pin without surgery. Why oh why do they do that if 4 pin is better?

Cut to razor sounding violins

Follow Ups:

Pro Audio - Ralph 12:22:12 01/02/25 (0)
Usually in pro audio the concern is being able to hear the mix while a musician is playing. So the concern for the best sound of the 'phones isn't as important- getting the recording right is. Once the tracks are all there then you mix it. The 4 wire connection would likely help for that but engineers are just as likely to use speakers as well.
RE: Balanced confusion in high end audio - MaggiesAndCats 20:22:27 12/31/24 (2)
My Schiit Jotunheim 2 has a 4 pin output that I use with my HiFiMan HE6se V2 headphones. I use "balanced" cables to connect my Schiit Bifrost 2/64 DAC to the Jotunheim 2. Schiit calls the Jotunheim 2 and Bifrost 2/64 inputs/outputs balanced. Are they? Dunno, but I like the combination.

Regards,

Steve
- RE: Balanced confusion in high end audio - Dawnrazor 11:51:16 01/01/25 (1)
  I had the Vali2 and the Eitr. Often almost buy Schiit products. Hifiman too. Was looking at that same headphone. How do you like it?
  
  Cut to razor sounding violins
  - RE: Balanced confusion in high end audio - MaggiesAndCats 13:03:50 01/01/25 (0)
    I love the HiFiMan HE6se V2 headphones. I got an open box set for $609 2 years ago. Now you can get a refurbished pair for $369.
    
    I'm a long time Magnepan listener and when I lost my listening room temporarily I looked for planar headphones to fill in. I like the tonal balance of the HE6se, and they have great bass and dynamics. They are very comfortable to wear but they take a little extra power for listening levels I like. As a reference, I tried driving them with my Samsung phone and couldn't quite get to the level I wanted. The Schiitt Magni+ worked fine to drive them, but I went to the Jotunheim 2 for the extras it offers.
    
    I keep meaning to post my impressions of my headphone system but haven't quite put finger to keyboard yet...
    
    Regards,
    
    Steve

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