Wont make a difference. If it’s not fully balanced then why. I bet I could take my Ayre V-3 and play balanced and then switch to single ended, and nobody could tell the difference as a matter of fact. A lot of amps take the single ended input and make it balanced to the balance connectors. As does the Ayre V-3
Again, there are applications that require a true differential input. I've already cited the Schiit power amps needing a true differential input to run as monoblocs. Sure, one could simply buy either an external DAC or a separate pre-amp that has differential outputs from single-ended inputs (Schiit Saga 2 is a good example) but it's cheaper and less cluttered to simply have the streamer already have differential outputs.
First off, they do not need a balanced input to sound good. For some reason you think the Schiit Tyr will sound better in balanced. It has single ended inputs, and could you tell the difference between the two inputs. Is this what you think, or is this what the designers at Schiit Audio think/ say. I say no way you could tell the difference
As discussed above - 1) a long cable run that may introduce electrical noise and 2) because that is the connection on the amp.
My friend, I don't think you understand how the Aegir or the Vidar work.
So first and foremost, they were designed as stereo amps, correct?
I'm not part of the design team--I don't have the answer to this.
I've already previously requested some of the same in the other post/thread that we have had going for a while now, so we do align on other desires:
So looking at their website, basically what they’re doing is summing the outputs to make it 400W in mono at 8 ohms no 4 ohm rating. I guarantee the noise floor goes up and it doesn’t sound as good as most stereo amps do when bridge to mono. The Vidar was first and foremost designed as a stereo amp. Not a balanced mono block or it would just only have balance connectors, therefore it’s better to run it in stereo. So looking at the Agir, it’s the same thing it’s summing the outputs to get more power at 4 ohms, again first and foremost designed as a stereo amp single ended/ balanced. Not one of their amps has only balanced connectors. So what you’re telling me is you took all their amps ran them in single ended and ran in balanced you would be able to tell that the balanced connections sound better. ImpossibleI'm not part of the design team--I don't have the answer to this.
When run as monoblocs, they're running bridged mono mode. I don't know if overall fidelity drops, but I do know they no longer handle 2ohm loads once bridged to mono.
The SMSL PA200 power amps are also set up this way--once receiving a balanced, differential input signal, they are bridged to mono. Single-ended inputs allow the amp to be run stereo.
There are plenty of examples of this. I am not here to debate the merits of running stereo amps bridged to mono or vice-versa. I am simply stating there are plenty of legitimate use cases for differential output, and again, I see no issue dedicating some cost of execution to a flagship product to have this feature--don't want to pay for that? Buy a lower model (or even a first-gen Ultra).
As to this:
I've already previously requested some of the same in the other post/thread that we have had going for a while now, so we do align on other desires:
The remote, the improved analog output/preamp functions and specifications (lower noise floor from higher voltage).
-Ed
I never said this. Not once. You go putting your words in other people's mouths. I find you curiously hyper-focused on fighting against other people's requests for added functionality to the point of alleging things that are not reality.
Any amp running in bridge mode is noisier and won’t sound as good. Only if it was designed as a true mono block. I remember talking to David Grue of Classe Audio about 35 years ago or so. I asked him do your amps sound better in balanced mode. His exact answer was and I quote no, we just put that on there for the audiophiles because they think it does. My last amp from Classe was the Classe Omicron stereo 350 W per channel and doubled output into 2 ohms and stable into 1ohm load and weighed in over 350 pounds sounded just as good in single ended as balanced. I could not tell the difference. My only point in this long debate, is put the money somewhere else it will be much more beneficial than a balanced connector when everything has single ended connectors. The only company that I know that runs truly balance from input to output is a company called Balanced Audio Technology. Also usually balance cables cost more because of the connector.I'm not part of the design team--I don't have the answer to this.
When run as monoblocs, they're running bridged mono mode. I don't know if overall fidelity drops, but I do know they no longer handle 2ohm loads once bridged to mono.
The SMSL PA200 power amps are also set up this way--once receiving a balanced, differential input signal, they are bridged to mono. Single-ended inputs allow the amp to be run stereo.
There are plenty of examples of this. I am not here to debate the merits of running stereo amps bridged to mono or vice-versa. I am simply stating there are plenty of legitimate use cases for differential output, and again, I see no issue dedicating some cost of execution to a flagship product to have this feature--don't want to pay for that? Buy a lower model (or even a first-gen Ultra).
As to this:
I've already previously requested some of the same in the other post/thread that we have had going for a while now, so we do align on other desires:
The remote, the improved analog output/preamp functions and specifications (lower noise floor from higher voltage).
-Ed
And my original counterpoint still stands: I agree with you if we were discussing LinkPlay’s next step for replacing the Pro or Pro Plus.
You actually did blind testing? I love that. Most don’t and when they hook up that new dac or cable the sound “magically” opens up. Kudos for actually blind testing. Rarely happensI am going back on my previous viewpoint and now believe, after some serious testing, that there is no need for a better DAC or balanced out. I have tried Topping E70 Velvet as an external DAC and tried balanced out to my power amp.
It is hard to admit but via blind testing (not me switching) I can't hear any
audible improvements. I also tried just a good active unbalanced to balanced converter (creating real +- balanced audio signal and gain at 4 Vrms out). No audible difference detected by young or middle-aged ears.
My conclusion is that I'll be very content with an updated Ultra, hopefully via software, but also via new improved hardware if necessary, that improves the internal signal processing and removes more noise and cracks from the HDMI-in and good support for Dolby 5.1 with two new Wiim Sound speakers and a virtual centre channel so you don't need a third one. That would be sweetand perfect for most of us in this budget device.
So you don’t want 4V out your happy with 2 volts out, you just want a balanced connection. The advantage of running a balanced output is getting more output voltage. Correct me if I’m wrong please, ED
Looks you still haven’t read my other post where I already asked for added voltage:
Not exactly.
The advantage of a balanced connection is that the signal is fed to the receiver through two hot wires instead of one. There is the signal in its original form on one hot wire and then in its inverted form on the other hot wire. This leaves a third pin for a cable shield, which only serves this one purpose (shielding) and doesn't carry any signal. An interfering signal still picked up be the cable connection will be "common" to both hot wires. The differential input amplifier on the receiving end suppresses any signal identically present on both hot wires and amplifies the differential portion only. That's about it.
Correct. The Geshelli JNOG3, for example, is a 3V/6V RCA/XLR DAC, little beknown to most. I've had extensive conversations with Geno at Geshelli Labs about the DAC since I am a previous owner and I had...compatibility issues...between Topping B100 amps (overly sensitive) and a JNOG3. His answer was that it's not designed to go directly to power amps without an attenuator or preamp (volume control) between it and the power amps.Not exactly.
You can have 2.5 or even 4 V of output voltage using RCA connections, of course. It's just relatively uncommon.
