Headphone Amps and choices

[Pingushome]

Originally Posted by bob orbell

Just had a look, seams a bit of a bodge job to me and as far as my knowledge goes, WAD never used that size of case and they had a black front. Bob

Just contacted the seller and he says I’m mixing up late models and this one and suggested I look at previous HA sold.

I did and definitely looks different to me. That has rounded corners on case and faceplate which match.

So no resolution

Martin

[Greg.]

If my memory serves me right, when Peter Comeau changed the shape and size of the chassis from the old WAD one, the initial order of face plates were manufactured undersize and a corrected size was made to replace it.

[davebms]

http://rssconsultancy.co.uk/article84.pdf
yes greg I think you are correct .. mine is the original small box type if the
link works ,,that's the mk 2,, the current model has a front that fits better !
I think they all use the same circuit the later model have dip switches for
different phones so poss the ebay one is real

dave

[Greg.]

Nice link, Dave, thank you. I’ll save Neville’s review for the archive.

[Pingushome]

Originally Posted by davebms

http://rssconsultancy.co.uk/article84.pdf
yes greg I think you are correct .. mine is the original small box type if the
link works ,,that's the mk 2,, the current model has a front that fits better !
I think they all use the same circuit the later model have dip switches for
different phones so poss the ebay one is real

dave

Thanks Dave I see it now square box round corners faceplate.

I’ve saved the link as well

Martin

[Greg.]

By the way, you could make a reasonable improvement to sound by simply replacing the DIP switches with a quality selector switch. An Elma would do a nice job. Have a look here.
https://www.hificollective.co.uk/swi...-switches.html

[Black Stuart]

Pingushome,
re. the DV, just be aware that it has only one sweetspot no sound before and way too loud after.

Two options use appropriate resistors before the pot to attenuate it, or remove the pot or replace it with a shunted Alps Blue. If you do remove the pot it is easy to make another earth connection, which you lose if you remove the pot.
I did neither using a Stereo Coffee.

The other thing is that there are issues with hum in a standard DV which can be solved via info on the early threads on Headfi. You will not believe the b/s that the fanboys later come up with on Headfi - good for a laugh though.

It can operate as a preamp but I suggest removing the caps/resistors and wiring for this and just use as a pure h/amp.

The layout in the DV is excellent and a lesson that should have been learned by the likes of WAD etc.

The o/put caps can be changed for a much better ones, again take a look at the early DV threads on Headfi. Be warned removing the PCB to access these caps will not be easy or to replace but is definitely be worth the effort.

The DV is a quasi tranformerless amp and will be a shock to those who havn't heard this type of amp - very three dimensional, even 3D. Look to buy one on Drop/Massdrop.

I was lucky living in France as it arrived via Germany and was treated as 'in transit' so escaped the normal EU 20% tax imposed on cost + postage.

The first two problems - volume control and hum must be dealt with, the third is optional and unlike the HD83 you are not limited to the one valve type, in my opinion a crazy idea. You can choose the flavour of sound you personally like with the DV

[bob orbell]

But Stax are better. Bob

[Pingushome]

Originally Posted by bob orbell

But Stax are better. Bob

And so they should be at over ten times the price Bob

Martin

[Pingushome]

Thanks Black Stuart

I’ll take your advice. Yes noticed lots of stuff about modding the DV but was only going to keep it simple.

Good you mentioned shunt pot as when people mentioned the volume probs I was thinking on the lines of a shunt.

All food for thought.

Thanks
Martin