Recommendation for USB audio interface, Low output impedance, low absolute noise level |
Recommendation for USB audio interface, Low output impedance, low absolute noise level |
 Mar 31 2012, 13:00
Post
#1
|
|
|
Group: Members Posts: 698 Joined: 6-March 10 Member No.: 78779  |
I have a pair of excellent IEMs with 119 dB SPL/mW sensitivity, that aren't too easy to drive on conventional higher-impedance headphone outputs (2-way balanced armature, <27 ohms). I'm looking for a desktop USB interface with manual volume control, a headphone jack with low output impedance (~0 ohms), and a low absolute noise floor (due to the low sensitivity). Many manufacturers post their SNR figures, which do not help me decide, whether the latter requirement is really fulfilled. For example, with the IEMs plugged into an onboard Realtek ALC261 output, which has got a SNR close to 100dB, I can hear the SSD working.
I had a look at the E-MU 020x devices, which seem to be great, but their 22 ohm headphone output jack looks like a constraint for the intended usage. Could you recommend anything else? *** Edit: I just noticed: Sorry, wrong forum. Please move to 'Audio Hardware' if you find the time. This post has been edited by googlebot: Mar 31 2012, 13:14 |
 |
 
|
 |
|
Apr 18 2012, 21:13
Post
#2
|
|
 Group: Members Posts: 1466 Joined: 30-November 06 Member No.: 38207 |
What about a resistor to lower the sensitivity?
-------------------- geocities.com/hydrogenaudio: http://goo.gl/tqYZj
|
|
|
|
|
Apr 19 2012, 10:11
Post
#3
|
|
|
Group: Members Posts: 698 Joined: 6-March 10 Member No.: 78779 |
QUOTE (Porcus @ Apr 18 2012, 22:13)  What about a resistor to lower the sensitivity? It alters your output impedance and can thus mess up your frequency response with low impedance headphones. This post has been edited by googlebot: Apr 19 2012, 10:12 |
|
|
|
|
Apr 19 2012, 11:05
Post
#4
|
|
|
Group: Members Posts: 1466 Joined: 30-November 06 Member No.: 38207 |
QUOTE (googlebot @ Apr 19 2012, 11:11) QUOTE (Porcus @ Apr 18 2012, 22:13) What about a resistor to lower the sensitivity? It alters your output impedance and can thus mess up your frequency response with low impedance headphones. Sure, in theory. But headphone manufacturers would have to face headphone outputs that are working precisely this way, by coupling the amplifier to either a serial resistor, or a serial + a parallel. If you have access to various headphone outs, then I guess you would get a reasonable idea of how your phones react, by simply trying them and listening for frequency response differences? -------------------- geocities.com/hydrogenaudio: http://goo.gl/tqYZj
|
|
|
|
|
Apr 19 2012, 11:49
Post
#5
|
|
|
Group: Members Posts: 698 Joined: 6-March 10 Member No.: 78779 |
Anything with more than ~3 ohms output impedance causes an audible bass roll-off with my UM2. The amplifiers Westone ships with promo packages all have ~0 ohm output impedance. That's an indication, what they are targeting. IMHO targeting any other output impedance for a target frequency response is a lottery game.
|
|
|
|
googlebot Recommendation for USB audio interface Mar 31 2012, 13:00
Nessuno QUOTE (googlebot @ Mar 31 2012, 14:00) Fo... Mar 31 2012, 20:06
googlebot QUOTE (Nessuno @ Mar 31 2012, 21:06) You ... Mar 31 2012, 21:30 xnor Is the HUD-mx1 usb isolated? If not it might not g... Mar 31 2012, 22:12 googlebot Unfortunately I had read about the HUD-mx1's a... Apr 1 2012, 09:52 probedb I use a FiiO E7 with my Westone UM3x which are mor... Apr 2 2012, 08:26 googlebot Coincidentally, I have tried the smaller brother F... Apr 2 2012, 19:44 googlebot After extensively testing the Yulong U100 I can re... Apr 12 2012, 19:36 stephan_g Implementation is king when it comes to analog and... Apr 18 2012, 21:03 Nessuno QUOTE (stephan_g @ Apr 18 2012, 22:03) To... Apr 18 2012, 22:00 Arnold B. Krueger QUOTE (googlebot @ Mar 31 2012, 08:00) Fo... Apr 13 2012, 01:33 googlebot And how is this supposed to be related to the thre... Apr 13 2012, 07:57 |
|
Lo-Fi Version | Time is now: 19th May 2013 - 08:50 |
