Super Voyager

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   I think the unit should be as simple as possible. No convoluted features to make them compatible with every single headphone, especially those that do not perform well with Graham's standard amplifier configurations. 

Graham, pretend you have an mp3 player containing all WAV files and that the output of this player is very pure (low incidence of sound artifacts) but does not have anywhere near the amount of voltage swing needed to drive your reference HD250II to full (almost full) potential. 

You'd design an amplifier with a line-in to receive the signal to be amplified, a line-out to your HD250II, a headphone-out adapter plug in case you and say John C both want to plug in your HD250IIs to the amplifier. Power supply is a fixed rechargable battery, recharged via USB only, by either computer or wall adapter. Amplifier uses superior analogue output stage and uses ultra-linear technique. No contour switch or tone controls; if the attached transducer is frequency skewed crap, it's crap, full stop and the user should select a higher fidelity transducer to pair with it.  As long as it sounds amazing with your major reference headphones, that's all that matters (in my narrow-minded opinion ). Metal case for heatsinking?

Not sure if you should get into DACs with this one. There are many devices where you can't bypass the default analogue domain to obtain a digital output/input anyway.

Basically Graham, what is the minimum you need to manipulate any analogue output to make a HD250 perform at its best?

Edited by Nuance_Ember - 18 Nov 2013 at 9:45am

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Ash Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 18 Mar 2013 Location: Dorset Status: Offline Points: 4334	Post Options Post Reply Quote Ash Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 17 Nov 2013 at 9:08pm
	I think the unit should be as simple as possible. No convoluted features to make them compatible with every single headphone, especially those that do not perform well with Graham's standard amplifier configurations. Graham, pretend you have an mp3 player containing all WAV files and that the output of this player is very pure (low incidence of sound artifacts) but does not have anywhere near the amount of voltage swing needed to drive your reference HD250II to full (almost full) potential. You'd design an amplifier with a line-in to receive the signal to be amplified, a line-out to your HD250II, a headphone-out adapter plug in case you and say John C both want to plug in your HD250IIs to the amplifier. Power supply is a fixed rechargable battery, recharged via USB only, by either computer or wall adapter. Amplifier uses superior analogue output stage and uses ultra-linear technique. No contour switch or tone controls; if the attached transducer is frequency skewed crap, it's crap, full stop and the user should select a higher fidelity transducer to pair with it. As long as it sounds amazing with your major reference headphones, that's all that matters (in my narrow-minded opinion ). Metal case for heatsinking? Not sure if you should get into DACs with this one. There are many devices where you can't bypass the default analogue domain to obtain a digital output/input anyway. Basically Graham, what is the minimum you need to manipulate any analogue output to make a HD250 perform at its best? Edited by Nuance_Ember - 18 Nov 2013 at 9:45am
	We do not see things as they are. We see things as we are.

jamescodway Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 17 May 2008 Location: Wembley, UK Status: Offline Points: 320	Post Options Post Reply Quote jamescodway Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 17 Nov 2013 at 11:13pm
	PS I haven't used the contour switch in 5 years. Plastic case is fine for me… durable, lightweight, lower (?) cost. Best James
	Voyager - HD25

morris_minor Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 27 Mar 2012 Location: Surrey Status: Offline Points: 6017	Post Options Post Reply Quote morris_minor Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 18 Nov 2013 at 9:46am
	The Voyager is not something I actually have a need for, but just a thought about the case. We all know that external looks are incidental to a unit's performance, and maybe a Voyager will never be a high-volume seller (in a Richer Sounds-type context), but a sleek metal case to complement the latest smartphone styling would, IMO, do no harm to sales providing it didn't up the price too much. If we're talking about another model to go alongside the existing one, with more features/better performance, a visual distinction may aid the perceived "value". Or I could be talking cobblers!
	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

mrarroyo Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 28 Jul 2008 Location: Miami Beach, FL Status: Offline Points: 1401	Post Options Post Reply Quote mrarroyo Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 18 Nov 2013 at 10:53am
	I like the current plastic case! However, I would make it rechargeable with a line input and smaller if possible.
	Miguel

ServerBaboon Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 16 Jan 2008 Location: NW England Status: Offline Points: 970	Post Options Post Reply Quote ServerBaboon Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 18 Nov 2013 at 1:21pm
	USB/LINE in to give me the option of my walkman and an OTG capable phone or media player. Battery Power would be useful to keep my phone breathing, I suppose rechargable would be nice andif I am using my Sony Walkman MP3 player. I guess it would blur the lines between the Voyager and the Bitzie but for me the standalone power and line in mean that the voyager type is more useful to me.
	Steve ------------- Various bits of GSP Kit ..well two so far, unless you count the cables that is.

Graham Slee Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Retired Joined: 11 Jan 2008 Location: South Yorkshire Status: Offline Points: 16298	Post Options Post Reply Quote Graham Slee Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 18 Nov 2013 at 4:10pm
	Regarding rechargeable batteries, the regulations I recently saw, state they must be user removable/replaceable. That places certain limitations on design. To be replaceable by a user implies that no (de)soldering or mechanical work would have to be done. Therefore an accessible battery compartment must be provided. As we are not mass producers it is not possible to make an intricate battery door and contact arrangement because we don't have the advantage of "the economies of scale", so we are either confined to a case that has a battery compartment or to a case of suitable size to be able to take a component battery compartment. High impedance headphones require a relatively large voltage swing to deliver reasonably high volume. It would be nice to have the same voltage supply as say a Novo to cater for such a voltage swing, however, that would require the equivalent of two 9 volt batteries. The alternative is to have just one 9 volt battery and use what is called rail-to-rail techniques to utilize virtually all the 9 volt supply into the headphones. In actual fact, the maximum r.m.s. voltage a 9 volt battery can deliver is around 3 volts. A stretched 'Bitzie' case say, 120mm long, may well be sufficient, but that is the opposite of a smaller case. Looking back at the volume available from a battery supply - the products that use two AA or AAA batteries only have a 3 volt supply. They may take up less space but can only deliver a r.m.s. voltage of around 1 volt using rail-rail techniques, and that will be insufficient for headphones much above 64 Ohms.
	That none should be able to buy or sell without a smartphone and the knowledge in how to use apps

Task1 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List New Member Joined: 24 Jan 2013 Location: North East Scot Status: Offline Points: 21	Post Options Post Reply Quote Task1 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 18 Nov 2013 at 10:15pm
	"Regarding rechargeable batteries, the regulations I recently saw, state they must be user removable/replaceable." Apple iPhone, ipod, ipad? Macbook air? No removable batteries in these. Filo headphone amps also made with unremovable rechargeable batteries. Are these new 'Safe Britain' regulations ( it wouldn't surprise me!) Agree with most though- simple is better, no need for a DAC. For me line in, headphone out would be fine. would also need to be shielded from phone interference when using with mobile rather than music player. Keep up the good work.
	Does it really matter?

Super Voyager

Cadman Enterprises Limited
7 Kirkstall Close
South Anston
Sheffield S25 5BA
England

+44 (0) 1909 568739
+44 (0) 7947 107188

john at gspaudio.co.uk

Super Voyager

Cadman Enterprises Limited7 Kirkstall CloseSouth AnstonSheffield S25 5BAEngland

+44 (0) 1909 568739+44 (0) 7947 107188

john at gspaudio.co.uk

Cadman Enterprises Limited
7 Kirkstall Close
South Anston
Sheffield S25 5BA
England

+44 (0) 1909 568739
+44 (0) 7947 107188