I run balanced too. Theoretically it should be less noisy than single-ended, but if you have to play your preamp or Horizon at a lower volume with balanced it may make SE the better choice.
I truly believe that this is the reason why I am able to run full signal through the 360 as my Lamm preamp is SE and I run the 360 SEI run balanced too. Theoretically it should be less noisy than single-ended, but if you have to play your preamp or Horizon at a lower volume with balanced it may make SE the better choice.
as a quick OT issue, Im grateful that I only run my H360 via SE as this tube rolling with vintage tubes 80-90 years old with TP adapters can put you in the poor house running balance and having a back up set when the inevitable happensI truly believe that this is the reason why I am able to run full signal through the 360 as my Lamm preamp is SE and I run the 360 SE
Interestingly in my h1 I don't find any sound difference between 63 and other volume levels. I do prefer to have my tm running at a higher volume level as that gives a better sound. And given the tm has no remote easier to use the horizon to set volume levels.. I run my horizon between 35-45Hi just received my H1 upgraded to H360 and, at the same time, a set of 100dB efficient speakers which I am driving with my Riviera Labs AIC-10 10W integrated amp.
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If I use the H360 at VC=63 I have very little usable knob in my integrated, especially with albums recorded at high volume level. So I will need to find a balance between the volume control of my amp and the Horizon for these cases.
However, when following the original Horizon thread, I have read several mentions about a potential loss of sound quality whenever the volume is set below 63 (which allegedly by-passes the internal volume control). In one post, it has even been mentioned that "the horizon vc is supplied by a cheap smps".
If the above is true that would mean that the use of the Horizon as a preamp is a pretty bad idea. Am I missing something?
Exactly the same experience...Interestingly in my h1 I don't find any sound difference between 63 and other volume levels. I do prefer to have my tm running at a higher volume level as that gives a better sound. And given the tm has no remote easier to use the horizon to set volume levels.. I run my horizon between 35-45
sounds like a minefield! planning to get a H360 and use it without a preamp. this gain/volume setting conundrum is now putting me off (to put things in perspective and to find what best to do I find the single best demo file to play to get that sense of presence without feeling overpowered is Sound of Silence by The Ghost of Johnny Cash. Using USB I had to turn the gain to 57-58 and my preamp to 3rd lowest level. With XDMI I am still at 3rd lowest position but at 63 what I hear is him in the room with me. It was scary good. Today , I am going to lower my pre to 2nd position and keep it at 63 but for those with the 360 I suggest using this track to dial in your comfort zone
Exactly right I agree with GolumNothing to worry about and put you off - especially if you plan to use it as a pre...
If your going to use the 360 as a pre, no problem whatsoever, this simplifies the equation...sounds like a minefield! planning to get a H360 and use it without a preamp. this gain/volume setting conundrum is now putting me off (
Indeed the REIs are a fantastic pairing to the Tobian horn speakers. He's a link to a write up a fellow WBFer wrote about my system when we compared his $90k Audio Note 300b monos to REIs in 12FHs.@tommytwotimes44 Agreed, I've used my H1 as a preamp for a long time, indeed with the Westminster REI monoblocks that you mentioned. I had 300B based monoblocks before. REIs were a huge step forward for me.
I have horn speakers that are 99 dB sensitive (Tannoy Westminster GR) and the REI monoblocks were a perfect match, more so than the SET amps that I've tried, in my system/room. I'd think they are a perfect match with Tobian given what I know from @LampiNA's system and tastes.
In my case difference between volume levels 62 and 63 is quite dramatic and the sound simply looses life. Obviously these are not night and day differences, but at this level every inch counts.
Hi all, I'm a new almost happy owner of Horizon360. My initial audition was with H1 and I was simply mesmerised. It was so much better than any other dac I've tried.
While waiting for H1, the change to H360 happened so I jumped on the upgrade path as well and got my H360 couple days ago.
It is still burning in, but it is basically impossible for me to bypass the H360 preamp (by selecting volume 63) and use my Pilium Olympus preamp. At this volume it is clipping in the preamp.
Apparently (information I got from my dealer) H1 was generating 4 volts, but H360 is generating 10 volts. Usual DACs are generating 2 volts I believe.
I will be sending my unit back to the factory to install a special voltage reduction circuit (hopefully without impact on the sound).
In my case difference between volume levels 62 and 63 is quite dramatic and the sound simply looses life. Obviously these are not night and day differences, but at this level every inch counts.
So if you love your preamp and believe it sounds better than H360 preamp, you may want to check with your dealer or Lampizator directly.
Ive done both. To my ears XDMI is a little less than USB. IOW I think the uptick in dynamics with USB is greater than that with XDMI which is still very dynamicWow, 10V is a lot! That explains why both integrated amplifiers I have here are saturated by the H360 at VC63 with albums recorded at high level.
@Lukasz "Lampizator" Fikus, does it make any difference if the XDMI signal path is used instead of the USB?