Jakkal
valued member
Posts: 19 
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Post by Jakkal on Feb 14, 2015 19:22:29 GMT
WOW that's a lot more than I've expected. Thank you Frans. As usual your posts are very informative. Now let's listen some more pleasant harmonics.  |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2015 13:43:32 GMT
I've just taken delivery of the Project Polaris from Denmark  I have one quick question - is there any need to use it's power supply or can I just use the one supplied with the Ember? |
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solderdude
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measureutternutter
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Post by solderdude on Feb 16, 2015 13:53:40 GMT
You can use the same power supply.
When comparing it may be handy to have both amps powered up though.
Glad it arrived !
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2015 14:02:58 GMT
It's here, safe & sound. Brilliant packaging again. The power supplies are vastly different to look at & I needed to use a 3-pin cable with the Polaris whereas the Ember took a 2-pin cable. It's hooked up now and I'm trying to understand the jumper options. The manual pdf isn't very clear in this regard actually.
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on Feb 16, 2015 14:16:33 GMT
The high BW setting is for those that do not want any phase shifts nor roll off in the audible band and far outside of it.
Perfect for analog sources and DAC's with 'fast' or 'steep' digital filter settings and have proper HF audio filtering
The mid BW setting is for those that may have (oversampling) NOS DAC's or do not feel they need 300kHz bandwidth.
High bandwidths can (in some rare cases) have a negative influence on the sound when aliasing with HF garbage is present.
In this setting there is no roll-off in the treble (flat within 0.5dB) up to 20khz and the (very gentle 6dB/oct) slope is -3dB at 35khz which is wider than most headphones and than most recordings actually have.
A recommended setting when using NOS DAC's.
The low BW setting is now set at 20kHz (-3dB) and has a very similar roll-off as NOS DAC's show at 44.1/48kHz files.
Some like the gentle roll-off those DAC's have and the Polaris emulates (well almost) this behaviour when using 'faster' DAC's
It will not remove brightness from headphones but can add some slight warmth to music while retaining frequency extension.
Output R settings = the same as Ember.
There are also 'gain settings' in 3 steps.
In most cases it should be possible to create a good 'volume control range' for the volume control.
These aren't present in Ember, that amplifier does have a gain 'control' as below.
In the Polaris, however, it is very easy to change the gain by simply replacing a gain 'module' where in Ember 2 resistors have to be replaced.
When high sensitive HP's or sources with a high output voltage is used the 'gain module' in the back can be used as well.
It should be used on 'WO/AM' but if the gain is still too high you can set it to 'W/AM'
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2015 14:31:16 GMT
Thanks Frans.
It's obviously very early to really hear what's going on here but I don't think I can hear any difference when I change the bandwidth jumpers.
The Output R settings don't have the same degree of change from high to low as I experienced on the Ember. Still, Mid-R is the best to my ears (with my gear).
Low gain allows the most travel on the volume control so that's where it's staying.
I'm tempted to say I've already made up my mind but I guess I should give it some more time.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2015 14:31:51 GMT
By the way, the build quality is outstanding, as always. Simply beautiful!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2015 14:50:12 GMT
I'd like to know what settings Ian chose with the Polaris when using the HD 650 because I'm not experiencing what I expected at all.
I expected the Polaris to be more dynamic than the Ember & punchier as well but it's not working out like that. Maybe...
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Feb 16, 2015 14:55:08 GMT
It's less harmonic laden, Gordon. Therefore doesn't sound quite as 'fruity'.
I use low in put power and low output impedance. High bandwidth. (For Senn hd650)
It's cleaner sounding than the Ember but then again, some prefer the richness of tubes.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2015 15:06:34 GMT
It's less harmonic laden, Gordon. Therefore doesn't sound quite as 'fruity'. I use low in put power and low output impedance. High bandwidth. (For Senn hd650) It's cleaner sounding than the Ember but then again, some prefer the richness of tubes. I've got this one set up the same as you. I guess it is cleaner sounding but there's a lot less depth to the sound in my opinion. It's like it's definitely stereo and I'm definitely wearing headphones. I'm immediately looking for my EQ cross-feed whereas since the Ember arrived I haven't been using cross-feed at all. One question has been answered though - when I switched back to the O2 the other day it was obviously nowhere near as good as the Ember. I was however not sure if that was down to the valve or just the extra power the Ember delivers. Well, it was both. Although the Polaris isn't really doing it for me right now I wouldn't call the sound edgy or analytical. Those are words that can definitely be used when describing the O2. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2015 15:07:33 GMT
The Polaris does deliver a virtually silent background when compared to the Ember. That's a plus.
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Feb 16, 2015 15:49:20 GMT
The Polaris is quite a bit quieter. Then again, most tubes will produce more noise. Some tubes are noisier than others.
You'll 'perceive' less bass because the sound isn't quite as rich in harmonics. I like the Polaris with the Senn hd650 because it's comparatively got a little more bite. So it helps the top end a bit.
Best of all is having the filter in line though. That goes really deep and makes the Senn sound really natural.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2015 17:03:39 GMT
The Polaris is quite a bit quieter. Then again, most tubes will produce more noise. Some tubes are noisier than others. You'll 'perceive' less bass because the sound isn't quite as rich in harmonics. I like the Polaris with the Senn hd650 because it's comparatively got a little more bite. So it helps the top end a bit. Best of all is having the filter in line though. That goes really deep and makes the Senn sound really natural. Yeah, I hear what you're saying Ian. Except for the bit about the filter. Is that not for the Kameleon amp? And when you say it goes "really deep" are you referring to bass or something more existential? I've just realized that I've been listening to the Polaris with EQ on. My clumsy attempt at replicating Frans' filter FR curve. After tea I'll remedy that. I've no idea if it makes a difference but I thought I'd give it some time for temperatures to stabilize. No chance of them overheating though since the CH boiler packed in last night & we're still awaiting the plumber. Brrr... |
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Feb 16, 2015 17:36:17 GMT
You having house problems as well? I've got someone coming point the a brick in my drain. Spotted it this morning when I opened up again and gave it a blast with the power jet. Cleaned down the paths as well while I was at it though!!!! At least now I know what the problem down there is.
Bathroom soon though. Gutting and rebuilding it. Big money.
The filter will be available for the Ember and Polaris as a unit that the amp will sit on. It's not out on sale yet though. So I have the Kameleon with filter in the back. It's the best I've ever heard from the HD650. The bass literally goes deeper into the sub bass and it cleans up a mid bass hump, allowing better definition in the treble to be heard. It really is the best I've heard from the Senns. I'd say that it resembles an HD600 with real lower bass.
If you want a truly top notch sound, the filter is the key. I'm certain of that. However, if you prefer the 'fatness' of the hd650, then I can see people not liking the filter, but for me, it's smooth, flat and goes really low so that it is one of the most natural sounds I've heard on a headphone.
The Ember or Polaris supplies the dynamic but the filter supplies a timbre that is spot on.
The filter for me is the thing that really transforms the HD650 into another level. It would stop me buying something really expensive tbh.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2015 18:21:40 GMT
Thanks Ian.
Just to clarify, the signals path would be...
DAC > Amp > Filter > Headphones
If that's correct there's an obvious question. Does it really matter what amp is used, as long as there's enough power?
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