Earbuds that will take full advantage of DAC

[NationalTrust]

I have a great pair of Sennheiser HD 598 headphone (50 ohms) that sound terrific with the V30 DAC, but of course they’re not very portable. I also have a pair of SoundMagic E10 Noise Isolating earbuds (in-Ear 47 ohms) that sound very good, but I’m wondering if there are other earbuds (high impedance) that would use the DAC to its full extent. Does anyone have any suggestions? From what I understand whatever you’re using should be over 50 ohms.

 

[mlknez]

Why would you need high impedance? I don't think that you understand the way that the ES9218P DAC performs. You are talking possibly about engaging the high voltage output circuitry that is needed to power high impedance earphones due to the difficulty in driving them. The high output is NOT engaged in lower impedance earphones because doing so would cause the audible noise floor to increase (hiss in the background.) The resolution/clarity/dynamic range does not change when using high or low impedance earphones, just the perceived volume.



The best way to take advantage of the ES9218P DAC in the V30 is:
1. Use music that was RECORDED in high-resolution
2. Only use the stock LG music player
3. Use a headphone or earphone with a frequency range that extends above 30khz

 

[NationalTrust]

Thanks for clearing that up. I guess I thought the high output mode was "better".

 

[xplod566]

I have a great pair of Sennheiser HD 598 headphone (50 ohms) that sound terrific with the V30 DAC, but of course they’re not very portable. I also have a pair of SoundMagic E10 Noise Isolating earbuds (in-Ear 47 ohms) that sound very good, but I’m wondering if there are other earbuds (high impedance) that would use the DAC to its full extent. Does anyone have any suggestions? From what I understand whatever you’re using should be over 50 ohms.

Slhndmagic e80c ...64ohms
Thank me later ;-)

 

[tardus]

Why would you need high impedance? I don't think that you understand the way that the ES9218P DAC performs. You are talking possibly about engaging the high voltage output circuitry that is needed to power high impedance earphones due to the difficulty in driving them. The high output is NOT engaged in lower impedance earphones because doing so would cause the audible noise floor to increase (hiss in the background.) The resolution/clarity/dynamic range does not change when using high or low impedance earphones, just the perceived volume.



The best way to take advantage of the ES9218P DAC in the V30 is:
1. Use music that was RECORDED in high-resolution
2. Only use the stock LG music player
3. Use a headphone or earphone with a frequency range that extends above 30khz

Poweramp app should takes full advantage of the DAC - but alpha3 build-704 is needed according to what I've read.

. And number three - most adults can't hear a above 20Khz. But quality eaphones extend beyond 30Khz typically. I think this is an odd way to assess earphone quality. Intead of looking at Khz, read reviews at audiphile sites, such as Head-Fi.org.

Good luck!

 

[JkdJedi]

Yeah same sentiment, don't need high impedance for great sound.

 

[mlknez]

Poweramp app should takes full advantage of the DAC - but alpha3 build-704 is needed according to what I've read.

. And number three - most adults can't hear a above 20Khz. But quality eaphones extend beyond 30Khz typically. I think this is an odd way to assess earphone quality. Intead of looking at Khz, read reviews at audiphile sites, such as Head-Fi.org.

Good luck!

Nope! The ONLY app that will send PCM>192khz, DSD and MQA to the ES9218P DAC in the V30, is the stock player. I have tested 14 players and none of the others will work correctly with all audio files, including Poweramp.

Quality is equally important to frequency range, but it is easier to give a solid spec that WILL take full advantage of the ES9218P DAC in this unit which is the original posters question.

 

[mlknez]

Thanks for clearing that up. I guess I thought the high output mode was "better".

Nope, just louder for headphones that are hard to drive to decent volume levels.

 

[Mike Dee]

Why would you need high impedance? I don't think that you understand the way that the ES9218P DAC performs. You are talking possibly about engaging the high voltage output circuitry that is needed to power high impedance earphones due to the difficulty in driving them. The high output is NOT engaged in lower impedance earphones because doing so would cause the audible noise floor to increase (hiss in the background.) The resolution/clarity/dynamic range does not change when using high or low impedance earphones, just the perceived volume.



The best way to take advantage of the ES9218P DAC in the V30 is:
1. Use music that was RECORDED in high-resolution
2. Only use the stock LG music player
3. Use a headphone or earphone with a frequency range that extends above 30khz

There are so many things wrong with these statements being presented as facts that it's beyond belief.

 

[NationalTrust]

So, Mike Dee, is there any advantage to using high impedance devices or not?

 

[JkdJedi]

So, Mike Dee, is there any advantage to using high impedance devices or not?

Not on the V30..its a smartphone not a dedicated Power/Amp/DAC . Lets be real here. You want the full potential for over the ear headphones then get ready to pony up some dollars for a good DAC like the iDSD Black Label or the MoJo Chord for example. IEM will suit better on the v30 imo.

 

[minnemike]

I thought the V30 does have a dedicated dac?

 

[mlknez]

I thought the V30 does have a dedicated dac?

The LG V30 does have a very capable dedicated DAC; the Sabre ESS9218P. Currently, only one application can take full advantage of it, however. JkdJedi is probably saying that he doesn't believe that either the Sabre ESS9218P DAC or the LG implementation of it is on par with an external DAC/Amp.

I have a Chord Hugo and several other external DACs. While the external DAC/Amps tend to have better amplifier sections, the quality differences in the portable audio DACs are very small.

 

[Rumblee1]

Even though I've had the v30 for a week, today is the first day I've been able to sit back and test out the dac to its potential. I've got say I'm fully impressed. I tried them with my klipsch earbuds, klipsch reference headphones and bose headphones. The listening experience was unbelievable. Mind you I've got a total McIntosh home system worth over 15k. Now, naturally the Mac system is hard to beat, but just saying how good and impressed I am with the v30.

 

[Mike Dee]

So, Mike Dee, is there any advantage to using high impedance devices or not?

Not based on high impedance alone. LG using using impedance to configure amp output is a grave mistake. The real answer depends on the quality and efficiency of what you're putting in or on your ears.

I'm about to get off the train and into my car.
I'll see if I can find some links to articles that offer some good explanations.

 

[NationalTrust]

Thank you. It's a bit confusing and there seems to be a lot of conflicting opinions. I can definitely tell the difference with my headphones.

 

[Mike Dee]

Thank you. It's a bit confusing and there seems to be a lot of conflicting opinions. I can definitely tell the difference with my headphones.

I forgot to mention that most in ear equipment is below 50ohms. To get into anything over 50ohms you're usually looking at on or over the ear headphones. If you want to hear some differences between identical models of headphones try some of the Sennheiser or Beyer Dynamic headphones that come in different impedance ranges. Regardless of what you read on paper you will most likely find that they have different sound signatures. It might be hard to to find a good place to make comparisons. I am fortunate that I work in Manhattan and have access to places with above average selections.

 

[My_Revstar]

Dear Folks,

I was thrown off by the following:
Read an article at phonearena - 'How to Turn on and make sense of the LG V30s Quad DAC":

"the "Quad" part means there are actually four DACs stuffed inside a single chip. This lets you use a pair of high-impedance headphones (>50 Ohms), as the three extra DACs kick in only when connected to such a pair. This is designed with audiophiles in mind, as high-impedance headsets are usually much more expensive than regular ones."

Hence I had asked on other forums:
Does it mean that LG's Quad DAC is only useful if one uses 50+ ohm ear(head)phones?
- Will they consume a lot of power?
- Any recommendations in sub $200 category? I have the following in mind - SoundMagic E80

Looking forward to the thoughts of wiser folks.

 

[NationalTrust]

I have the e10's and they sound good, but I'm also looking at the E80's because of the 64 Ohm impedance.

 

[Diehlirious]

Dear Folks,

I was thrown off by the following:
Read an article at phonearena - 'How to Turn on and make sense of the LG V30s Quad DAC":

"the "Quad" part means there are actually four DACs stuffed inside a single chip. This lets you use a pair of high-impedance headphones (>50 Ohms), as the three extra DACs kick in only when connected to such a pair. This is designed with audiophiles in mind, as high-impedance headsets are usually much more expensive than regular ones."

Hence I had asked on other forums:
Does it mean that LG's Quad DAC is only useful if one uses 50+ ohm ear(head)phones?
- Will they consume a lot of power?
- Any recommendations in sub $200 category? I have the following in mind - SoundMagic E80

Looking forward to the thoughts of wiser folks.

Music sounds beautiful when using my HD25's w/ & V30 together