Apielet Posted January 18, 2008 Report Share Posted January 18, 2008 So, would it be possible to have the gain lowered on a Pico so those with IEM's can enjoy more of the amps sonic characteristics? I would also like to have more volume control for IEM's. What I have gathered from home amplifiers (ex. Macintosh) is that the less gain and more volume or (the other way around) really has a dif effect on sound. Is it possible to change this or is the gain set in stone? I really think you can get a better taste of the sound of a headphone amp When the gain is set propperly for your headphones. Witha portable like Pico, I think users will usually use the same headphone. Way back 7-8 years ago, the META42 and penguin builders always asked what HP you would be using for this reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvdunhill Posted January 18, 2008 Report Share Posted January 18, 2008 So, would it be possible to have the gain lowered on a Pico so those with IEM's can enjoy more of the amps sonic characteristics? I would also like to have more volume control for IEM's. What I have gathered from home amplifiers (ex. Macintosh) is that the less gain and more volume or (the other way around) really has a dif effect on sound. Is it possible to change this or is the gain set in stone? I really think you can get a better taste of the sound of a headphone amp When the gain is set propperly for your headphones. Witha portable like Pico, I think users will usually use the same headphone. Way back 7-8 years ago, the META42 and penguin builders always asked what HP you would be using for this reason. sounds pretty impossible to me... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n_maher Posted January 18, 2008 Report Share Posted January 18, 2008 The kludgey solution would be to simply put an impedance adapter on the output (like the Ety ER4s cable) which would effectively lower the gain. I honestly don't know what the low-gain is on the Pico but it's probably more of an issue with its DAC having a proper 2V output which is more than double something like an Ipod. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apielet Posted January 18, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 18, 2008 Why? its got to be set sometime. Or the Pot setting so at least there is more play under 9 o'clock. Unless it is at the lowest it could go. Hopefully someone can have an explanation (or answer) instead of a guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apielet Posted January 18, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 18, 2008 I should clarify, the Pico amp only. No DAC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grawk Posted January 18, 2008 Report Share Posted January 18, 2008 Why? its got to be set sometime. Or the Pot setting so at least there is more play under 9 o'clock. Unless it is at the lowest it could go. Hopefully someone can have an explanation (or answer) instead of a guess. It's set as low as it can go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvdunhill Posted January 18, 2008 Report Share Posted January 18, 2008 So, would it be possible to have the gain lowered on a Pico so those with IEM's can enjoy more of the amps sonic characteristics? do you own a Pico? I didn't see your screen name on the pre-order list. If so, then contact Justin... he offers good support for his products. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grawk Posted January 18, 2008 Report Share Posted January 18, 2008 I haven't heard anyone complain about the volume when using line in, only from the dac. And even then, not everyone has a problem with it. If you don't already have a pico, give it a shot and see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n_maher Posted January 18, 2008 Report Share Posted January 18, 2008 It's set as low as it can go. Yeah, and from what I can find the low gain = 2, which I have a hard time believing doesn't allow for much adjustability. To the OP: what are you using for a source? [edit]Frack, does the OP not even own one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tkam Posted January 18, 2008 Report Share Posted January 18, 2008 If you don't already have a pico, give it a shot and see. Yeah thats good advice, Headamp does have a return policy so if it doesn't work out just send it back for a full refund. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvdunhill Posted January 18, 2008 Report Share Posted January 18, 2008 Frack, does the OP not even own one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thrice Posted January 18, 2008 Report Share Posted January 18, 2008 I have a portable amp set to unity gain (not a Pico) and I only get to 9:00 (starting at 7:00) for most things with my E500. IEMs are more sensative than full sized cans and you're not going to get that far along the pot swipe with any portable amp without an impedance adapter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n_maher Posted January 18, 2008 Report Share Posted January 18, 2008 I have a portable amp set to unity gain (not a Pico) and I only get to 9:00 (starting at 7:00) for most things with my E500. IEMs are more sensative than full sized cans and you're not going to get that far along the pot swipe with any portable amp without an impedance adapter. It's also worth noting that the output level of any amp will be directly proportional to the input signal strength. So if you're using 1V source or a 4V source it absolutely makes a difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvdunhill Posted January 18, 2008 Report Share Posted January 18, 2008 Is that a pancake on the bunny's head? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ojnihs Posted January 18, 2008 Report Share Posted January 18, 2008 Is that a pancake on the bunny's head? heck yeah it is Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aerius Posted January 18, 2008 Report Share Posted January 18, 2008 heck yeah it is It hops like a bunny, but looks more like a guinea pig. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thrice Posted January 18, 2008 Report Share Posted January 18, 2008 It's also worth noting that the output level of any amp will be directly proportional to the input signal strength. So if you're using 1V source or a 4V source it absolutely makes a difference. Yeah that's true.... with an iPod you'll get more headroom than say a dedicated CD player or a DAC like the one in the Pico. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edwood Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 If low gain is all you want and amplifier only, get a RSA Tomahawk. The low gain setting is a gain of Zero. Can't get much lower than that. I had plenty of volume range with the Tomahawk with IEM's. -Ed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dusty Chalk Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 Don't all amplifiers have a gain setting of zero (I.E. off)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jinp6301 Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 Don't all amplifiers have a gain setting of zero (I.E. off)? Doesnt a gain of zero just mean no amplification, not off? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grawk Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 Doesnt a gain of zero just mean no amplification, not off? 1 is unity or no gain. 0 is no signal. X * GAIN = Y Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pars Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 I believe a gain of 1 is no amplification... a gain of 0 is undefined??? or off... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n_maher Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 Doesnt a gain of zero just mean no amplification, not off? I'm pretty sure that Dusty was being funny and that it was understood that Ed meant a gain of 1. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jinp6301 Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 me = fail Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dusty Chalk Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 I'm pretty sure that Dusty was being funny and that it was understood that Ed meant a gain of 1. Correct.1 is unity or no gain. 0 is no signal. X * GAIN = Y Also correct. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.