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Solo Ultra Linear and Planars
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Ash View Drop Down
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Points: 4334 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ash Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Jul 2020 at 11:07am
110 Ohm impedance and 101dB/mW sensitivity??

Similar load to my K1000 with a much higher electrical sensitivity and the drivers are closer to the ears. First glance from me says: will drive it fully with no problem. You won't max out the Solo.


Edited by Ash - 09 Jul 2020 at 11:08am
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capetownwatches View Drop Down
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Points: 61 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote capetownwatches Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Jul 2020 at 11:10am
My LCD2F are similarly sensitive with slightly lower impedance (70Ω) and my Ultra Linear has no problem at all driving them with plenty to spare. 

Edited by capetownwatches - 10 Jul 2020 at 7:47am
Solo UL=Kingrex HQ1=NFB11.32=LD Mkll=SRM353X=DAC1 USB=RL Concero
LCD2F=HD6XX=SR-L500=DT990 600Ω=TH-X00=K612Pro=K240S=Y50
KRK Rokit 6=Mogami/Sommer->Neutrik/Amphenol
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Graham Slee View Drop Down
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Points: 16298 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Graham Slee Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Jul 2020 at 11:43am
We read that its sensitivity is 101dB given 1mW, but requires 100mW.

100mW is 100 times 1mW and equates to a sound pressure gain of 20dB, so at 100mW, the sound pressure is 121dB.

The recommended 250mV results in only 4dB more sound pressure, making it 125dB.

Now, there are headphones, and there are headbangers, and anything that consistently hitting your eardrums above 90dB is a headbanger IMO.

120dB used to be the threshold of the onset of sensitivity to pain, and aural pain is linked to oral and nasal (possibly sinus) pain (the reason the NHS lumps them together under the specialisation ENT).

When I listen loud using speakers, the sound pressure, on my meter, reads about 80 - 85dB, on average. Any higher than that, and I experience compression of hearing on transients, and that can set off tinnitus.

Now, seeing it will do 101dB for only 1mW, and you need 14dB more to cover recorded transients, 115dB, worked backward, requires 25mW.

I estimate a maximum output for a 110-ohm load, from the ULDE of 80mW at 1% THD. I haven't measured this, but I have calculated it from the impedances I have tested.

An 80:1 sound pressure ratio is 19dB (log of 80 times 10), so you won't get 121dB, you will only get 120dB.

So, 1dB out, I'm afraid!
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morris_minor View Drop Down
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Points: 6029 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote morris_minor Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Jul 2020 at 12:44pm
I use LCD-2s with the Solo ULDE and they sound great!
Bob

Majestic DAC/pre-amp
Accession MC/Enigma, Accession MM, Reflex M, Elevator EXP, Era Gold V
Solo ULDE, Novo, Lautus USB and digital, Libran balanced, CuSat50
2 x Proprius + Spatia/Spatia Links
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Ash View Drop Down
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Points: 4334 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ash Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Jul 2020 at 2:03pm
AKG K1000 impedance of 120 Ohms and sensitivity of 74dB/mW SPL is driven great as long as the drivers are not fully opened out. Only fully opened out is there a limit to the volume achievable. At halfway open, still further away than most headphone drivers are positioned, volume goes high enough for loud comfortable listening. Sound was on-par with what I got out of the Proprius monoblocks. Super duper.

P.S I couldn't help but laugh at Graham's slightly sarcastic regret that 121dB couldn't be achieved.


Edited by Ash - 09 Jul 2020 at 2:06pm
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Fatmangolf View Drop Down
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Originally posted by morris_minor morris_minor wrote:

I use LCD-2s with the Solo ULDE and they sound great!


Same here.
Jon

Open mind and ears whilst owning GSP Genera, Accession M, Accession MC, Elevator EXP, Solo ULDE, Proprius amps, Cusat50 cables, Lautus digital cable, Spatia cables and links, and a Majestic DAC.
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capetownwatches View Drop Down
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Points: 61 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote capetownwatches Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Jul 2020 at 8:02am
The debate goes that, although an amp can technically deliver sufficient power to make the headphone go loud, MORE power equates to more "control" over the drivers, allowing them to scale to their full potential. More power equals more dynamics and better low end definition and quality. Better soundstage etc etc. 

I have found this to hold true for SOME amp/headphone combinations, but as always YMMV.

I would be interested to hear other members' opinions but my take is that the significance of power output over all else when it comes to headphone amplifiers is grossly overemphasised. 


Edited by capetownwatches - 10 Jul 2020 at 8:03am
Solo UL=Kingrex HQ1=NFB11.32=LD Mkll=SRM353X=DAC1 USB=RL Concero
LCD2F=HD6XX=SR-L500=DT990 600Ω=TH-X00=K612Pro=K240S=Y50
KRK Rokit 6=Mogami/Sommer->Neutrik/Amphenol
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