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Post by darkarn on Oct 31, 2017 5:49:13 GMT
Side question: I thought the Kameleon has to be powered via wall power at all times and thus cannot be used as a portable amp?
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on Oct 31, 2017 7:16:54 GMT
There are 3 (actually 4) Kameleon 'versions'.
The original version was a portable amp only without volume control. The Kameleon 2 is available (well bare circuitboards are, not finished devices) in portable version but with volume control and in a more powerful desktop version. Then there is a 3rd version which is an in-line model. This one is fed via an external power supply or in case of G1217 amps with the power supply of the G1217 amp. It does not matter if it is a 24V or 48V amp. As a bonus you can switch the amp on and off from the front of the Kameleon.
So the original = Kameleon portable amp Later on a, bypassable, in-line version was made which accepts kameleon filter modules but removes the gain differences which are incorporated in the same filter for the portable/desktop amps.
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Post by darkarn on Oct 31, 2017 7:24:27 GMT
There are 3 (actually 4) Kameleon 'versions'. The original version was a portable amp only without volume control. The Kameleon 2 is available (well bare circuitboards are, not finished devices) in portable version but with volume control and in a more powerful desktop version. Then there is a 3rd version which is an in-line model. This one is fed via an external power supply or in case of G1217 amps with the power supply of the G1217 amp. It does not matter if it is a 24V or 48V amp. As a bonus you can switch the amp on and off from the front of the Kameleon. So the original = Kameleon portable amp Later on a, bypassable, in-line version was made which accepts kameleon filter modules but removes the gain differences which are incorporated in the same filter for the portable/desktop amps. Oh yeah, I see, I forgot about the original Kameleon, thanks for the summary!
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on Oct 31, 2017 7:30:29 GMT
I just suggested that you make a video about Kamaleon because I did not find much information about it, but I do know the differences between the solid-state amplifiers, the OTL tube and the hybrid, and I know that the G1217 amplifiers are hybrids except of Polaris that is solid state, and that was precisely why I chose him for his reliability as to Lyr 2, even though I wanted a hybrid I would not buy it because I read that these Schiit amplifiers have a very transparent signature even with the exchange of tubes. But as for the conversation I had with DavidA I was asking him about the coloration that certain types of amplifiers can cause in the signature of the sound and how this could affect the sound of the AKG K712, and that is the complete answer he gave: The amount of "coloring" done by most well-designed amplifiers is usually very little or too little, so if the basic sound signature of a headset is not to your liking, do not expect an amplifier to correct it. Many consider the K712 a little on the bright side, so do not expect the Polaris to completely change the K712 to a neutral headset, reducing brightness and adding bass. In addition, Polaris is not known to give a sound to a wider sound signature, it will probably reduce the size of the K712 sound stage if it's like Ember, it's where the Lyr2 + Bimby and the UD-301 are a little better than Polaris and Ember. I've also done a few readings and some say that the K7XX is similar to the K712, but the K712 is a bit brighter, has less bass, but a wider sound stage, according to what you liked above the K7XX can be a best combination for you on the K712.I know he's a guy who understands the subject as well as you, and I've already asked him a lot of questions, but sometimes he seems to be more subjective than objective. Rabbit only has portable and desktop Kameleon amplifiers. These are home made and not commercially available. Therefor it is pointless do a video about it. There is an in-line kameleon (so not an amp) which is a commercial product from G1217. Rabbit does not own one so can't do a vid. I agree with David's assesment. Coloration by tubes is small, especially when overall feedback is used (Lyr etc.) In the case of Ember no overall feedback is used nor with Polaris. As mentioned before.. the Lyr does not have the option to change the output resistance which, in many cases, can make an audible difference. Sometimes this is positive, sometimes negative. Another aspect Lyr does not have is bandwidth settings, which again can make some difference. Thus you have more 'options' to change the sound in some ways than with the Lyr for instance. One thing that is odd and suggests he never heard a Polaris is this remark: "it will probably reduce" which is an assumption based on things he may have read.
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Post by entertainme on Oct 31, 2017 10:20:06 GMT
The Project Polaris is just very slightly warm. It has better microdynamics compared to other amps in this pricebracket, this adds some sweetnes that is typical for tubes. It's not soft, syrupy or glossed over, in fact it's has lots of clarity. The bandwith options are excellent. The effect is smaller than I had expected from the graphs. They do a good job cleaning out treble issues without getting in the way of the music. I wouldn't recomment the Lyr 2 for a k712, a Vali 2 would be the better choice.
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Oct 31, 2017 11:16:50 GMT
I agree. I don’t find the Polaris ‘narrows’ the soundstage at all. It is tuned to mimic the sound of a tube amp but it is an ss amp so the benefits of having a warm tube like sound with the reliability of solid state electronics. Instead of rolling tubes, the adjustments work fine and actually, give stronger differences than changing tubes. Also less noise.
My guess is that David hasn’t actually heard one.
To me, the Polaris is a good choice.
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