John Thornton Posted August 6, 2015 Posted August 6, 2015 Is anyone using the ME24 preamp as a headphone amp? Is it just a matter of putting RCA plugs on the headphone cable and plugging the headphones into speaker output 2 on the Preamp? If headphones operate with ME850 turned off, when ME850 is used to power speakers from speaker output 1 can headphones remain connected to speaker output 2? My ME24 is 15 years old with caps replaced a few years ago. Would the power supply upgrade make a big difference in sound quality for headphones and speakers? What is involved and the cost of the power supply upgrade and would I retain my remote power supply block?
frankn Posted August 6, 2015 Posted August 6, 2015 ZP is your man to contact , pm will be quickest however he might provide an overview here as to the work necessary. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Telecine Posted August 6, 2015 Posted August 6, 2015 As Frank said, contact @@Zaphod Beeblebrox. You will need to get him to make you a cable like the one he made for me. I have a different preamp but you need to plug the cable into your preamp outputs at one end and your headphones at the other.
Jake Posted August 6, 2015 Posted August 6, 2015 He's currently making a cable for me too. Aren't you Zaph...?
Zaphod Beeblebrox Posted August 6, 2015 Posted August 6, 2015 He's currently making a cable for me too. Aren't you Zaph...? Yup. 1
Zaphod Beeblebrox Posted August 6, 2015 Posted August 6, 2015 Is anyone using the ME24 preamp as a headphone amp? Lots of people. Very good headphone amp. Is it just a matter of putting RCA plugs on the headphone cable and plugging the headphones into speaker output 2 on the Preamp? That'll do the trick. If headphones operate with ME850 turned off, when ME850 is used to power speakers from speaker output 1 can headphones remain connected to speaker output 2? Yes, but it would be best to disconnect the headphones for the best sonic results. My ME24 is 15 years old with caps replaced a few years ago. Would the power supply upgrade make a big difference in sound quality for headphones and speakers? HUGE difference. For ME850 amps and above, it is a no-brainer, IMO. What is involved and the cost of the power supply upgrade and would I retain my remote power supply block? Depends on how old your preamp is. I would need to examine it to provide an accurate quote. Typically, costs will be between $350.00 ~ $1,200.00.
Guest Hensa Posted August 6, 2015 Posted August 6, 2015 HUGE difference. For ME850 amps and above, it is a no-brainer, IMO. How about for a ME550II Hi-cap?
Mr 57 Posted August 6, 2015 Posted August 6, 2015 Being a ME 24 owner, I too have used the second output to run headphones...(again a great reason to be a member here)... .Zaph says sure run your headphones on the second output, but for better sonic performance disconnect them when not in use. No surprise , (this guy knows his stuff)....I tried it !! No surprise it did improve .... Thanks again Zaph
christosd Posted August 6, 2015 Posted August 6, 2015 Ive been running the second output from my 25 into my analyser for cartridge azimuth setup and wow/flutter analysis...even nerdier than head-fi!
Zaphod Beeblebrox Posted August 6, 2015 Posted August 6, 2015 How about for a ME550II Hi-cap? Definitely well worth considering.
John Thornton Posted August 7, 2015 Author Posted August 7, 2015 Thanks for the prompt advice from everyone. My ME24 was purchased 1999 and has a 13 pin din plug for power supply connection to preamp. Would I only need to send the preamp without the power supply block to get a price for the upgrade and for the upgrade to be carried out? Could the $1,200.00 cost still apply to a 1999 ME24 upgrade? If I use my ME24 Preamp between my DAC and ME850 is it possible or worthwhile to upgrade the preamp to have a balanced input and output or just use the unbalanced mode? What would the cost be to add the balanced option for the ME24? Would the balanced facility effect the power supply upgrade and using the ME24 as a headphone amp? If I upgrade my ME24 power supply I may consider upgrading my ME850 (purchased 1999) with the higher quality output power supply (currently 245,000 Microfarads), which would appear a good option with an improved ME24.
Zaphod Beeblebrox Posted August 7, 2015 Posted August 7, 2015 (edited) Thanks for the prompt advice from everyone. My ME24 was purchased 1999 and has a 13 pin din plug for power supply connection to preamp. Would I only need to send the preamp without the power supply block to get a price for the upgrade and for the upgrade to be carried out? It is best that I examine both preamp AND power supply. It is likely that some improvements are possible for both units. Could the $1,200.00 cost still apply to a 1999 ME24 upgrade? {/quote] No. The cost will be MUCH less with your preamp, as it has all the latest enhancements. Figure on less than $350.00. If I use my ME24 Preamp between my DAC and ME850 is it possible or worthwhile to upgrade the preamp to have a balanced input and output or just use the unbalanced mode? No. There is no upgrade, at present, to add balanced outputs to the ME24. That may change in the future (don't hold your breath). What would the cost be to add the balanced option for the ME24? Would the balanced facility effect the power supply upgrade and using the ME24 as a headphone amp? No, the power supply you have was designed to accommodate any future balanced output facilities. If I upgrade my ME24 power supply I may consider upgrading my ME850 (purchased 1999) with the higher quality output power supply (currently 245,000 Microfarads), which would appear a good option with an improved ME24. There is a possibility for you to upgrade the ME850 to almost 500,000uF, but the difference will depend on which speakers are being used. The cost of such an upgrade would likely be approximately $2,000.00. I will try to ascertain exact pricing in the next few days. Edited August 7, 2015 by Zaphod Beeblebrox
John Thornton Posted September 23, 2016 Author Posted September 23, 2016 I need to connect my DAC to my ME24 and also Headphone amplifier, the DAC has RCA unbalanced and XLR balanced outlets but either the XLR outlets or RCA outlets can be used at one time. I do not want to connect headphones to speaker outlets on ME24 and have to remove headphones every time I use my speakers, I would rather use an external balanced headphone amplifier. Is it possible to connect and use a headphone amplifier from the “Access” option on the ME24 Preamplifier without the headphone amplifier being connected back to the ME24? The ME24 would have cables from speaker outlets to a ME850 but ME850 would not be powered when headphone amplifier was in use. The “Access” option and headphone amplifier would be turned off when ME850 was in use. The wiring input connections instructions on the back of the ME850 Amplifier shows wiring for unbalanced and balanced connections to the amplifiers inputs, is the amplifier a balanced amplifier if used with balanced XLR cables from balanced outputs on a balanced Preamplifier?
Zaphod Beeblebrox Posted September 23, 2016 Posted September 23, 2016 Just now, tejo said: I need to connect my DAC to my ME24 and also Headphone amplifier, the DAC has RCA unbalanced and XLR balanced outlets but either the XLR outlets or RCA outlets can be used at one time. I do not want to connect headphones to speaker outlets on ME24 and have to remove headphones every time I use my speakers, I would rather use an external balanced headphone amplifier. Is it possible to connect and use a headphone amplifier from the “Access” option on the ME24 Preamplifier without the headphone amplifier being connected back to the ME24? The ME24 would have cables from speaker outlets to a ME850 but ME850 would not be powered when headphone amplifier was in use. The “Access” option and headphone amplifier would be turned off when ME850 was in use. The wiring input connections instructions on the back of the ME850 Amplifier shows wiring for unbalanced and balanced connections to the amplifiers inputs, is the amplifier a balanced amplifier if used with balanced XLR cables from balanced outputs on a balanced Preamplifier? Provided the headphone amplifier has it's own volume control, then you can use the 'ACCESS' outputs for this task. Be aware that you will need to find a VERY GOOD headphone amplifier, if you want performance as good as what the ME24 is capable of. Alternatively, you could just use the second set of ME24 outputs for your headphones and turn off the power amp which it is not being used.
John Thornton Posted September 23, 2016 Author Posted September 23, 2016 Thank you for your prompt answer to my questions Zaphod Beeblebrox. I want the option to use balanced cables with high end headphones. I was considering the Violectric V281 balanced headphone amplifier. I have access problems to my ME24 in cabinet, so did not want to have to remove cables when using speakers. I noted previous post leaving headphone cable in second speaker outlets degrades sound quality when using speakers. I am considering the ME24 power supply upgrade, although I am impressed by the sound quality of my ME24 and ME850 with my Mirus DAC. The wiring input connections instructions on the back of the ME850 Amplifier shows wiring for unbalanced and balanced connections to the amplifiers inputs, is the amplifier a balanced amplifier if used with balanced XLR cables from balanced outputs on a balanced Preamplifier?
Zaphod Beeblebrox Posted September 23, 2016 Posted September 23, 2016 30 minutes ago, tejo said: Thank you for your prompt answer to my questions Zaphod Beeblebrox. I want the option to use balanced cables with high end headphones. I was considering the Violectric V281 balanced headphone amplifier. I have access problems to my ME24 in cabinet, so did not want to have to remove cables when using speakers. I noted previous post leaving headphone cable in second speaker outlets degrades sound quality when using speakers. I am considering the ME24 power supply upgrade, although I am impressed by the sound quality of my ME24 and ME850 with my Mirus DAC. The wiring input connections instructions on the back of the ME850 Amplifier shows wiring for unbalanced and balanced connections to the amplifiers inputs, is the amplifier a balanced amplifier if used with balanced XLR cables from balanced outputs on a balanced Preamplifier? Points: * There is no difference between balanced and unbalanced systems, if all things are otherwise equal. Do not get hung up on using balanced. * Only the HEADPHONES need to be unplugged, when operating the power amp. The headphone adapter leads can be left plugged in. * Using balanced or unbalanced is inconsequential (all other things being equal).
John Thornton Posted September 25, 2016 Author Posted September 25, 2016 The reason I was looking to use a balanced connection was that my preferred option meant I had to use one balanced output and one unbalanced output. My DAC has balanced and unbalanced outlets but I was advised by the DAC manufacturer cables could be connected for both headphone amp (balanced) and preamp (unbalanced) if both headphone amp and preamp does not put noise back into the line when operating. I do not know what that means, does the ME24 do this? If preamp and headphone amp do not put noise back into line when operating I would only need to connect headphone amp to balanced output from DAC without any changes to current system, apart for possible upgrade of ME24 power supply. The ME24/ME850 are exceptional, both have had new caps installed several years ago. Is it necessary to use high quality RCA connecters (e.g. KLE Absolute Harmony) or high quality cables (e.g. litz silver) for equipment connected to the ME24? My preferred option if dual connections from DAC are not possible would be to connect a headphone amp to the ME24 “access” out.
Recommended Posts