Massdrop Objective 2 Headphone Amp Desktop Edition Review

Two month ago I had review the Massdrop Grace Design SDAC here and probably this is the best sounding DAC under The states$100 then far. But having this Grace SDAC alone is not consummate if I am not stack the amplifier likewise from the Massdrop on the summit of it. And here information technology is, the Objective 2 headphone amplifier with the verbal dimension. They are build to stack together.

The O2 package also take the aforementioned box style like the Grace SDAC. What makes this special is the greeting from the amplifier designer.

As you lot can run across the name NwAvGuy on this packaging is really a person'due south nick-proper name on some audio forum long time ago. He shared this O2 schematic then the DIY'ers tin create their own O2 amplifier. To simplify the making process especially for many people that don't have experience in building an amplifier, this collaboration with Massdrop is the style to become this O2 amplifier directly.

And this is the O2 amplifier. Considerably small size and piece of cake to carry with one mitt. All built material is aluminum. The front end panel shares most mutual control such every bit ability ON, headphone out, LED indicator, volume control and gain selector.

The back panel only for line input via RCA and DC input. In that location is no iii,5 mm mini jack input, so if you want to connect this O2 amplifier to other mutual portable source with iii,5 mm jack output, you will need RCA to mini jack converter.

Since I will connect this O2 amplifier to Grace SDAC with the aforementioned RCA connector, all I need is a pair RCA cable from Schiit that I had before here.

The DC input provided past included wall adapter. This adaptor is thankfully not a switching power supply, means information technology will perform lower noise and very ideal for audio awarding like this.

This is how the O2 amplifier really built to stack together with the Grace SDAC.

I review this O2 amplifier sound quality combine with Grace SDAC and my Xiaomi Mi 8 Lite as digital source. I besides using USB Audio Pro awarding to playback the music files. In comparison for this review, I am using desktop version DIY Cmoy amplifier and SMSL SP200 amplifier. The headphones that I am using here is Sennheiser HD600 and Beyerdynamic T1. When listening music with O2 amplifier, the gain setting is always set to low gain. It is better because of the lower noise compares to high gain setting.

My first impression for this O2 amplifier is the sound very relaxing, more likely warm sounding amplifier with extended acme stop. Yep that is correct, the detail on high frequency is very rich yet far from fatigue for long listening session. The treble detail is considerably more than natural, unlike SMSL SP200 amplifier which more richer on treble just likely full of sound coloration. Listening music with a lot of instruments with this O2, it seems they are separating very well between the instruments. This cannot exist achieve with the Cmoy amplifier. Then the vocal is more than forward and middle, information technology seems like the singer singing in forepart of yous. This sound quality really reminds me the sound quality from the Bottlehead Fissure amplifier.

And so I immediately modify this O2 amplifier to the Bottlehead Crack amplifier to get the A-B sound comparison and this O2 is actually really a expert amplifier for cheap. It sharing almost the same sound signature as the Bottlehead Crevice amplifier but of course, because the Bottlehead Cleft amplifier using tube as amplification, the sound quality, particularly the mid-range withal cannot be comparable at all.

I guess having this O2 amplifier on hand withal a adept choice to improve the sound quality over Cmoy amplifier. Even for some people, using SMSL SP200 is besides much particular and coloration, so this O2 maybe the answer for more warm sounding amplifier.

With this practiced review, hope yous not open up this O2 amplifier example to see what inside. Because information technology is quite nasty layout. Lots of cheap cables jumper everywhere and poor components arrangement.

If you a believer that single short wire makes sound different, than looking to this internal is a magnet for you lot to make an comeback. I guess I will practise that for sure. And in that location is rechargeable bombardment slot inside. This makes me wondering if I could brand this O2 amplifier portable, stacked with Grace SDAC will be a smashing portable DAC amplifier.

Then pale organisation and my next mail will be the O2 amplifier upgrade for sure.

Disclaimer: Any statement and photos in this article are not allowed to copy or publish without written permission from the author. Whatsoever injury or loss from following tips in this article is not under writer responsibility.

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Source: https://orronoco.blogspot.com/2020/12/massdrop-objective-2-headphone.html

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