Headphone Heights

RE: Which balanced amp/?

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Some useful info:

There are several "balanced" headphone amps on the market, but basically there are two types to choose from.

My DNA Sonett, for example is of the first type. It has true, differential balance output by way of a single center tapped output transformer. The benefits of this type of balanced-drive design include better channel separation (less crosstalk between channels/better isolation of back EMF between channels) for less overall distortion.

The second (and most expensive!) type of balanced amp uses a differential output stage with two separate active devices (one per channel). This type of balanced-drive headphone amp provides all of the sonic benefits of the first type but, in addition (because of the dual active devices), you'll also get a doubling of the slew rate and voltage swing power for faster transients and better dynamics. In other words, the benefits of balanced-drive are fully realized here for a cleaner and more powerful sound with the lowest possible distortion.

Be aware that a true balanced-drive amp does not need to have balanced XLR INPUTS (as well as balanced XLR outputs), as some might claim. MY DNA Sonett uses single-ended RCA inputs and dual 3-pin XLR outputs, for example.

Perhaps the most famous FULLY balanced headphone amp (called "The Blockhead" now discontinued) was made by Tyl Hertsens (former owner of Headroom Corp.). Essentially, it was a dual mono headphone amp joined in the middle to make one stereo amp. It had balanced inputs as well as balanced outputs for use in a fully balanced system.

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