It’s kind of dorky, but I recently had a T-shirt printed for my audiophile friend as a joke that says “ My other DAC is an Apple Dongle!” He got a good laugh from it. He’s told me since it’s already started some cool conversations with other audiophiles. All the best!
@@_DeepGroove_ possible, guess it differs depending on the impedance if the headphones - I heard it on a Trafomatic Head 2, with my Focal Clears, where the difference was large. My Singxer SA1 has 'high/low Z', which is also impedance I think. There it makes a small difference.
Yep, it will be different on every headphone depending on the impedance changes of that headphone across the frequency range. It won't have any tonal impact on planar magnetics because they have a flat impedance curve.
I usually have issues with hum. Also with foot tapping. And sometimes, if no one is looking, some fist pumps and or air guitar. Maybe I need to change the cables? 😊
Wait, can you link to the higher-quality rectifier tube for the TA-20 Plus? I have that amp, but don't know which tube would be good for the rectifier.
I have seen some British brands not use the ground pin on the mains power but instead use the left channel rca shield as floating ground. While running touch the rca with a finger to see if the Humm decreases.
Opening the topic on what we define as “luxury” in hi-fi as the two models Lachlan talks about seem both entry market (headphone amps range $100 - $15,000). Happy? Care to contribute?
Nice video as always. But I would just like to point out that if your shirt said just “cable” the definition would still be the same. 😅
It’s kind of dorky, but I recently had a T-shirt printed for my audiophile friend as a joke that says “ My other DAC is an Apple Dongle!” He got a good laugh from it. He’s told me since it’s already started some cool conversations with other audiophiles.
All the best!
That's a great t-shirt idea!
And, very true about the cable vs USB cable thing making no difference, Mike.
For pure “tubyness” the TA66 at $250 is a great choice as well.
Definitely. It's not as resolving as the TA-20 Plus or HA-2, but it can get surprisingly good with some upgraded tubes.
An output impedance selector is a tremendously useful feature. Thanks for this review Lachlan!
The McIntosh MHA 200 has this feature too. Did not hear any tonal difference around the target impedence.
@@_DeepGroove_ possible, guess it differs depending on the impedance if the headphones - I heard it on a Trafomatic Head 2, with my Focal Clears, where the difference was large. My Singxer SA1 has 'high/low Z', which is also impedance I think. There it makes a small difference.
Yep, it will be different on every headphone depending on the impedance changes of that headphone across the frequency range. It won't have any tonal impact on planar magnetics because they have a flat impedance curve.
I usually have issues with hum. Also with foot tapping. And sometimes, if no one is looking, some fist pumps and or air guitar. Maybe I need to change the cables? 😊
😂
Sounds to me like everything is just right already.
Great review.
GM☕️🍩🦘
First…and I’m still rocking the very “affordable “ Xduoo 604 Hybrid Headphone amp 😵💫
Such a fun amp!
So is the Xduoo really in a higher league than the Gemini
Wait, can you link to the higher-quality rectifier tube for the TA-20 Plus? I have that amp, but don't know which tube would be good for the rectifier.
I just searched eBay for that type of tube and took a chance. It was nothing special, but happened to be better.
I have seen some British brands not use the ground pin on the mains power but instead use the left channel rca shield as floating ground. While running touch the rca with a finger to see if the Humm decreases.
We need to talk about how you define luxury in headphone amps...
???? What is the purpose of this comment?
Opening the topic on what we define as “luxury” in hi-fi as the two models Lachlan talks about seem both entry market (headphone amps range $100 - $15,000). Happy? Care to contribute?
@@_DeepGroove_He’s in a situation where the audience he speaks to have a range of budgets and values. He can’t win when it comes to defining luxury.
☝️