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Post by junkfood on Dec 5, 2016 17:53:46 GMT -5
I have a question about the PT-100. Basically, I am trying to decide between the PT-100 and the TA-100. I mostly want to use it as a preamp as I run active speakers and already have 8 channels of amplification. However, I can imagine getting a higher-end preamp at some point in the future, in which case, the TA-100 might be more useful if it gets moved elsewhere, perhaps to my computer desk. In that instance, I can imagine wanting to use it as a headphone amp. As I understand it, the TA-100 works as a headphone amp. I am wondering if the PT-100 does as well, or if the amplification portion is simply missing and it only runs as a headphone volume control and/or it hijacks power from a connected amp?
Second question is this: If I run active speakers that require 6 channels of amplification, is it possible to use the TA-100's 2-channels, and then pair it with another, say, two A-100's, to get six matching channels? Or is there not a setting that allows for this? (This seems like a somewhat special case; hope that makes sense.)
Lastly, Does anyone have the bluetooth module? how well does it work? There are cheaper, similar solutions out there, but perhaps there is a good advantage for having the emotiva one?
Thank you all for any suggestions.
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Post by chaosrv on Dec 5, 2016 18:54:01 GMT -5
Per the product page under the Feature tab:
Headphone output – independent, high current, direct coupled headphone amplifier provides a high quality signal to drive your favorite headphones for personal listening
Plus, per the main picture there is a headphone output on the front.
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Post by creimes on Dec 5, 2016 22:22:06 GMT -5
I have a question about the PT-100. Basically, I am trying to decide between the PT-100 and the TA-100. I mostly want to use it as a preamp as I run active speakers and already have 8 channels of amplification. However, I can imagine getting a higher-end preamp at some point in the future, in which case, the TA-100 might be more useful if it gets moved elsewhere, perhaps to my computer desk. In that instance, I can imagine wanting to use it as a headphone amp. As I understand it, the TA-100 works as a headphone amp. I am wondering if the PT-100 does as well, or if the amplification portion is simply missing and it only runs as a headphone volume control and/or it hijacks power from a connected amp? Second question is this: If I run active speakers that require 6 channels of amplification, is it possible to use the TA-100's 2-channels, and then pair it with another, say, two A-100's, to get six matching channels? Or is there not a setting that allows for this? (This seems like a somewhat special case; hope that makes sense.) Lastly, Does anyone have the bluetooth module? how well does it work? There are cheaper, similar solutions out there, but perhaps there is a good advantage for having the emotiva one? Thank you all for any suggestions. As far as connecting two A-100's up to the TA-100 you would use two RCA cables from the TA-100 to the first A-100 and the A-100 has RCA output loop jacks so you could then connect another A-100 from the first one, giving you the 6 channels you are wanting. I once had the Bluetooth module that came with my PT-7030 and it worked like a charm. Chad |
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Post by junkfood on Dec 6, 2016 14:15:29 GMT -5
Per the product page under the Feature tab: Headphone output – independent, high current, direct coupled headphone amplifier provides a high quality signal to drive your favorite headphones for personal listening Plus, per the main picture there is a headphone output on the front. Thanks for the reply. I was confused because it seemed like people were excited about the TA-100 having a headphone plug that was somehow directly using the amplifier section for powerful amplification. (And the headphone mod of the old, nearly identical, mini-x a-100 amp which also seemed to directly tap into the amplifier power that was not a separate section just for the headphone.) |
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Post by garbulky on Dec 6, 2016 14:47:01 GMT -5
Per the product page under the Feature tab: Headphone output – independent, high current, direct coupled headphone amplifier provides a high quality signal to drive your favorite headphones for personal listening Plus, per the main picture there is a headphone output on the front. Thanks for the reply. I was confused because it seemed like people were excited about the TA-100 having a headphone plug that was somehow directly using the amplifier section for powerful amplification. (And the headphone mod of the old, nearly identical, mini-x a-100 amp which also seemed to directly tap into the amplifier power that was not a separate section just for the headphone.) I don't know if this was already answered. But the amp that can tap directly in to the amp power for headphones is the A-100. The others like the PT-100 cannot. |
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KeithL
Administrator 
Posts: 10,273
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Post by KeithL on Dec 6, 2016 14:54:35 GMT -5
The PT-100, and all of our other equipment that has a headphone output EXCEPT THE A-100, has what we might refer to as a "modern style" headphone amplifier. A modern headphone output has its own low-powered amplifier just for the headphones. This separate amplifier can be optimized for driving headphones (some turn out better than others). In contrast, the A-100 has a very unusual headphone amplifier (for a piece of modern equipment). The headphone output in the A-100 is modeled along the lines of the headphone outputs in vintage equipment. Instead of having a separate low-powered amplifier for the headphones, the headphone outputs are connected to the outputs of the main channels through a set of dropping resistors. This gives the headphone outputs on the A-100 the characteristic sound of the headphone outputs on vintage equipment (lots of power, with a slight interaction between the amp and the headphones themselves). However, while vintage equipment often suffered from excessive noise, and high distortion at very low levels, the A-100 is very quiet and very clean. This enables the A-100 to offer the benefits of that "vintage sound" on its headphone outputs while avoiding the drawbacks. The A-100 also has an jumper which can be installed to connect the main outputs DIRECTLY to the headphone outputs. (This is really only useful for certain low-efficiency planar headphones and certain electrostatic models..... but, for people who have those models that benefit from it, it is invaluable) Per the product page under the Feature tab: Headphone output – independent, high current, direct coupled headphone amplifier provides a high quality signal to drive your favorite headphones for personal listening Plus, per the main picture there is a headphone output on the front. Thanks for the reply. I was confused because it seemed like people were excited about the TA-100 having a headphone plug that was somehow directly using the amplifier section for powerful amplification. (And the headphone mod of the old, nearly identical, mini-x a-100 amp which also seemed to directly tap into the amplifier power that was not a separate section just for the headphone.) |
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Post by junkfood on Dec 6, 2016 15:04:14 GMT -5
I just looked at the A-100 page and saw that the specs has a "direct drive mode" spec for headphone amp. The PT-100 obviously can't do that cos it doesn't have an amp. I assumed the TA-100 would have this feature because it seems like a PT-100 combined with an A-100, but if I am reading correctly, it doesn't have this feature....
Thanks! Looks like the PT-100 is the one for me!
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Post by garbulky on Dec 6, 2016 15:09:41 GMT -5
I just looked at the A-100 page and saw that the specs has a "direct drive mode" spec for headphone amp. The PT-100 obviously can't do that cos it doesn't have an amp. I assumed the TA-100 would have this feature because it seems like a PT-100 combined with an A-100, but if I am reading correctly, it doesn't have this feature.... Thanks! Looks like the PT-100 is the one for me! No it doesn't. It has a separate headphone amp. The A-100 will be superior in terms of headphone drive. |
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KeithL
Administrator
Posts: 10,273
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Post by KeithL on Dec 6, 2016 18:00:31 GMT -5
At the moment the A-100 is our ONLY product that derives its headphone output from the main amplifiers.
Please note that, while the A-100 will sound great with ANY headphones, this feature is most important to:
1)
People who have high impedance headphones (because they'll get more drive voltage for better dynamics).
2)
People who like the way their headphones sound with high end vintage equipment....
(Because the dropping resistors will interact to some degree with each different model of headphone to lend a slightly distinctive sound - just like vintage equipment does).
3)
People who have low efficiency planar headphones or transformer driven electrostatics...
(Because those headphones need to be connected directly to the speaker outputs, and the A-100 has jumpers that you can insert to connect the headphone output directly to the speaker outputs.)
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