What gaming headphones to buy? - Page 255

i heard theres this dude in colorado that really wants a k702 gaming cable, and a shorter k702 audio cable...

have you thought about cutting out the center section and using epoxy to mate the two cylinders together?

Not that it changes much, but DAC in this context stands for digital-to-analog converter.

yea, simple brainfart.... funny you'd think i'd know better considering i'm head of IT here: http://cadeka.com/all_data_converters_products.php

all the dac products we make are mainly video processing, so we reference digital audio converters and digital video converters (for conversational purposes), being a converter simply implies that it's being converted to analog

Mine does work this way.

Have them give me a PM to work out the logistics.


I could just use 2 separate connectors, but haven't tried...

hmm, where can i get one of the phono plugs like you use? i'd like to modify it before you built the cable for the dude in colorado.

OR, would they be too close together and would the GTMAX rub on the mini-xlr?


do you have the new version with the fancy knobs? have you tested flac+pc audio performance vs 3.5mm soundcard output?

Like I said, had you told me about it a few days before I bought my DT770s, I would've easily bought it at this price.

So SWZ has USB DAC function. DAMN YOU!

'nerd, so if I get the AUNE, what/how many opamps do you suggest I get, and where? I REALLY am stupid about such things.

It may be too close. The ones that I use I got from Walmart... They're a little smaller than the RatShack ones, and they don't come with the RatShack logo (a benefit).


Yes, the MixAmp sounds better than what comes out of my Dell's soundcard... and I'm using the Realtek HD version (full surround, High Performance version). I can verify again, as I haven't used it on the PC in awhile... since I picked up the uDac awhile ago.

i'm not unsatisfied with the output from my realtek hd, but there seems to be quite a bit of noise and interference, i'm hoping a dac will clear that up, as a plus, i can use it with my laptop to (which actually has pretty decent sound output)

and shin, everyone is recommending a dual AD744 setup, those are analog devices opamps, and i'm trying to find a source that A) doesnt charge way more than they're worth/cost and B) will sell in quantities less than 100.

you'll need 2 of those, and a dual opamp adapter with 2 dip8 sockets... so you're basically cramming 2 opamps into a single socket.

you can always start with the stock setup and see how you like the sound, a lot of equipment solders them in so you have no freedom to roll (aka, change) them, but the AUNE gives you the option of changing them, but by all means you dont have to.

this is what you'll have....





and this is stock (look near top right, you'll see a single stock opamp, vs the dual ad744 above)




make more sense now? there are a few other circuits you can upgrade easily, but that is said to have the most impact, after that the next logical upgrade would be a cleaner power source.

Cool, and yeah, I see it in the pics. So If anything, I'm looking into getting two opamps? How much do they go for on average?

I'm probably just asking just to ask, since I'm sure I'd be more than happy with the stock configuration.

The AUNE seems like a pretty easy AMP/DAC to deal with, so it's a priority over the others.

I'm not much for messing with such things, but I'm happy to get some tips from you guys.

Agreed, it's easily the best on-board Audio I've used. There is hiss in the background though. Occasionally I'll get a 'pop' or something here or there when something is happening with the computer, but not often. I like on the uDac... where if I'm not feeding it audio... I can turn the volume all the way up... and No HISS. It's nice. I'm gonna try the MixAmp in a little bit...

Sennheiser HD428 Re-Cable Update: SOLD - Going to Netherlands
Dark Knight - SOLD - Going to Australia
- Though, on the Dark Knight, I have to redo the Mic connector, as it's too loose for my taste (when the Mic is inserted... going GOLD, and I think I will standardize on Gold)... so I pulled it apart and will be cleaning that up soon, then in the mail it goes. ...best part, it went for asking price.

Damn. I might have to send you my DT770 for recabling. If only just because I trust you.

I certainly don't NEED it, but I'm curious.

Digikey is my go-to source for electronics. It looks like AD744 chips run about $5-6 ea, min order of 1. I'm not sure which of the models you want since I haven't actually looked into this. That's pricey for an op-amp, but not out of reason. I'm not sure why people are high on them. They are nice, but Burr Brown is the gold standard for quality op-amps. TI bought them a few years ago and you can get Burr Brown designs in the OPA series op-amps. They tend to be expensive, though. The OPA627, for example, runs $25-30 each.

I'd love to see somebody actually scope the output of the circuit instead of report subjective listening tests, though. In my experience, a properly designed circuit with similarly spec'd op-amps will produce identical output. Some op-amps are more sensitive to circuit problems than others, though.

I thought it'd be much more expensive than that. I'd pay $20 for two, easily.

What exactly do they do compared to stock? More ampage, bass, clarity?

they completely change the sound... it's like rolling a new tube in a tube amp, every tube (and opamp) has a different method in creating the sound output in the circuit, they all sound different, some aren't totally different, others can completely change the sound.

IMO burr browns are the monster equivalent of opamps, some are great, some are so-so, all are overpriced.

the aune comes with burr browns STOCK, and the ad744 is a great improvement.... a lot of serious audio guys with collections of opamps (and nearly every OPA known in the audiophile world) prefer different things, but the big trend is all of them running dual ad744 opamps in the aune.

short aune parts list:
OPA chip: BB OPA2134
Headphone AMP: Burr-Brown OPA2604+TIP41C*2+TIP42C*2
USB controller chip BB PCM2707
DIR chip -- TI DIR9001
Main DAC chip -- Burr-Brown PCM1793


i checked digi-key and i could have sworn they'd only sell me 100 minimum, i'll have to look again... i need the AD744JN, i'll probably order some dual to single sockets and solder the ad744's to the adapter, so it's still plug and play with the stock dip8 socket, but more securely connected to the adapter board, i might get a few extra and sell them off on head-fi as a complete package since tracking down all the parts one by one is a pain.

edit: looks like they have stock on the AD744JNZ, i'll have to see if thats alright, and since its stocked i can order as little as 1 piece.

So if I was to get the AUNE, I can just get the dual AD744, take out the Burr-Brown, and snap on the AD744s without any other work?

Sorry if I ask alot. I REALLY don't know nothing about tuvbe vs ss vs whatever else.

yes, its plug and play.

these:


plug into these:


which are already soldered onto this:


which plugs into the socket of the opamp you remove (in those pictures farther up)

all plug and play, someone (either myself or browndog) will solder the dip8 socket to the dual opamp board, but its not something you need to worry about, it'll be plug and play.

Sweet! When I eventually get around to it, you'll be the first I talk to.

yea, i'm still doing final research before getting the aune, but it looks like that will be the one!

after i get the aune in, i'll probably order enough stuff to make 5 sets of the ad744 drop in and sell for close to what cost/shipping was for materials and stuff.

Interesting stuff there Formula... sweet!

Weird thing happened, I awoke this morning to a few PMs from Head-Fi. Now I have a request to Mic/cable mod some DT880s, and a few other requests... I feel like I should make some business cards or something... lol.

Sweet! I'll be curious to hear what you come up with for the DT880s. I'm planning to convert mine to dual entry, but I'm half considering using mini xlrs in each can instead of just using strain relief, so I could attach a different cable too with a mic adapter on one side.

The OPA2134 was probably one of my least favorite opamps when I had my Xin amps. I really liked the AD744 and OPA627. The AD797 is also good but I've only heard that in the RSA HR2 so FWIW.

A very generous headfier has offered to send my his Graham Slee Solo SRGII for a listen and review. I should have it within the next day or two, can't wait to hear what it can do. My Burson purchase is on hold until I hear the Solo.

I need to find more information on what a 'balanced headphone' is. My thoughts are this. I'd like to get an AKG K701. Order a left side setup from the K702 to convert the K701 to a removable cable. I then would like to change the Mini-XLR that would normally be there to a 4 pin Mini-XLR. This will allow me to make the headphones balanced and maintain the single entry. I would of course use the "trillion dollar a foot" cable for inside the headphones, and see where things lie for the actual cable itself. I will of course strip the color from the K702 side pieces and paint/seal them so they match the rest of the headphone. Then, when all is said and done... present them to DaeKwan for purchase...

So if you have any links around discussing 'Balanced Headphones' and the like... I'd like to read up on it. I for sure, will not make the bottom of the cable terminate in those CRAZY large XLR, but into a male 4 pin Mini-XLR, so that at that point... adapters could be made to have it split to dual XLR, Single XLR, 1/4" Plug or any other combination.

you'll need 4 conductors for balanced output, there is actually no ground in the headphone, only the drive signal and an inverted drive signal (mirror image of the drive signal) going to the driver, this is why balanced operation relies on a balanced amp, so i wouldn't really plan on selling these to someone who doesnt want/need a balanced headphone, because they're going to need other balanced equipment, although with adapters you could easily terminate it so that it's back to a common ground, even though that's defeating the purpose.

I guess DaeKwan would probably be out then... You getting a balanced Amp?

Oh yea, I tried pulling apart the 2 separate phono adapters to make my own coupler... and I couldn't get the actual phono out of the adapter without destroying it. I guess the only way would be to split it down it's length and pull the phono adapter out. Then where the slits are, put those to the middle of the adapter and bind them together with Epoxy (and some sanding... painting)... nah, sounds like too much work.

Oh yea, for the balanced amp... I'd need a balanced source, which probably wouldn't be cheap... 'cause I've seen balanced amps for $5-600 (probably not Great, but I don't know much about these things to begin with).

yea, a balanced amp has four amp circuits in it, R+, R-, L+, L- and it's very important that they're all matched very well (especially the pairs for each channel) because you're basically driving each coil with 2 amps, and the inversion needs to be extremely accurate as the exact opposite of the source signal.

Why would they not use fully differential op-amps? Seems like you're asking for trouble if you use 2 single ended amps for each channel.

i'm sure there is some equipment that does (maybe even a majority) but i'm talking less about the actual equipment, and more about the theory behind it.

Man, I don't understand any of that sh*t! LOL