NKOTB - TTVJ/Millett 307A Headphone Amp

[ldj325]

I was surprised to hear from an a otherwise knowledgeable acquaintance that the TTVJ Millet is in essence a single ended amp that achieves the balanced state via transformers (as opposed to the 2 amps in one box concept used by some other builders). If this is the case, I suppose that it would mean that the balanced inputs would need a transformer to bring it down to SE to go through the amp, and then another set of transformers to achieve a balanced output.

Can anyone confirm or negate that this is the case?

If it is, it would seem to me that other than a possibly lower RF noise signal coming into the amp, that having a balanced source could be a disadvantage since the signal would have to pass through an input transformer, as well as an output transformer, whereas an SE source would only need to go through the output transformer. Is my thinking correct on this point or not?

What I do know from my experience with another tube amp that definitely used the design of SE amp to balanced via transformers on the output, is that IMO there is still a benefit to how such an amp drives balanced headphones. So I am not looking to restart the argument that the only benefit of balanced is the RF rejection of the input transmission line. And whatever the architecture, I thought that the TTVJ Millet sounded excellent, so I am not dissing the sound quality of the Millet in any way. But I would like to know about the architecture all the same.

[recstar24]

If it is, it would seem to me that other than a possibly lower RF noise signal coming into the amp, that having a balanced source could be a disadvantage since the signal would have to pass through an input transformer, as well as an output transformer, whereas an SE source would only need to go through the output transformer. Is my thinking correct on this point or not?

Now I don't claim to be the expert on such things, but from my very limited knowledge base, having a truly balanced source would actually be an advantage because whatever common mode noise is on the line going into the input transformer would be completely eliminated. Also I believe you are right about lower RF noise, the input transformer should operate somewhat as a low pass filter below 40 khz or so (depending on the size of the input tranny itself) that would filter out a lot of the high frequency noise and hash that DACs can exhibit.

[justin]

I was surprised to hear from an a otherwise knowledgeable acquaintance that the TTVJ Millet is in essence a single ended amp that achieves the balanced state via transformers (as opposed to the 2 amps in one box concept used by some other builders). If this is the case, I suppose that it would mean that the balanced inputs would need a transformer to bring it down to SE to go through the amp, and then another set of transformers to achieve a balanced output.

Can anyone confirm or negate that this is the case?

If it is, it would seem to me that other than a possibly lower RF noise signal coming into the amp, that having a balanced source could be a disadvantage since the signal would have to pass through an input transformer, as well as an output transformer, whereas an SE source would only need to go through the output transformer. Is my thinking correct on this point or not?

What I do know from my experience with another tube amp that definitely used the design of SE amp to balanced via transformers on the output, is that IMO there is still a benefit to how such an amp drives balanced headphones. So I am not looking to restart the argument that the only benefit of balanced is the RF rejection of the input transmission line. And whatever the architecture, I thought that the TTVJ Millet sounded excellent, so I am not dissing the sound quality of the Millet in any way. But I would like to know about the architecture all the same.

I don't know anything about the design of the Millett amp, however most sources with both balanced/unbalanced outputs have their unbalanced outputs go through an additional active stage (usually an op-amp as a differential to single ended converter). So if what you say about the Millett amp is true, you're going to convert to single ended either in the source or the amp. I'd probably pick the transformer assuming it is a high quality one

[Eddie]

If the transformer output is floating, like driving a headphone, it is a perfectly balanced line. Since we are talking about the balanced output, how the signal gets there can be as simple as an unbalanced line driving a transformer. In the case of the 307A, the 307a is run SE with the transformer as the plate load. Looking at the 307a it is running with an unbalanced input, and true balanced output. Running two solid-state amps to get a balanced line can never be as accurate because the amps have to be perfectly matched, and each amplifier will still present a reference to the power supply rails, where the transformer output is isolated from grounds, or grounds through the power supply.

My two cents best sound at the Florida meet.

[swt61]

Just a side note. Those K340s look like the pair I made Cocobolo caps for. If so those used to belong to Mikah (Redleader), and are not Headphiled, but DIY modded.

[bhd812]

I see that 4n6 has a prayer rug before the altar of equipment just like Reks.

YUMMY!!!!! V-12 mono's!!!!

tasty!

those have always been on my dream list, back when i had a dream in highend audio..

hopefully i can kick these pricks out that live above the bar soon...

if i do then they are back on my list!! or should i say i atleast will have a list again..

[4N6]

YUMMY!!!!! V-12 mono's!!!!

tasty!

those have always been on my dream list, back when i had a dream in highend audio..

hopefully i can kick these pricks out that live above the bar soon...

if i do then they are back on my list!! or should i say i atleast will have a list again..

The Cary V12i monoblocks are the best amps I have owned by far (compared to Bryston monos, Parasound JC-1 monos, NuForce Reference 9 V2 monos, and Musical Fidelity amps). The sound with the SLP-05 preamp in the chain is gorgeous. I love that Cary gear!

[Asr]

The 307A was just "reviewed"* in Issue 17 of Tone Audio, which can be downloaded here: http://tonepublications.com/MAGPDF/TA_017.pdf Review on page 135. The reviewer loved it, of course.

In the same issue they also reviewed the Lehmann Black Cube Linear.

Also in the same issue, some really interesting music reviews. (One of two major reasons I read the mag, the other would be the amazing photography.)

* in quotes because Tone Audio's reviews are consistently terribly inadequate

[Icarium]

The Cary V12i monoblocks are the best amps I have owned by far (compared to Bryston monos, Parasound JC-1 monos, NuForce Reference 9 V2 monos, and Musical Fidelity amps). The sound with the SLP-05 preamp in the chain is gorgeous. I love that Cary gear!

How were the Parasound JC-1 monos? I've been thinking about getting a JC-1/JC-2 combo. What did they do better and what did they do worse?

[Voltron]

The 307A was just "reviewed"* in Issue 17 of Tone Audio, which can be downloaded here: http://tonepublications.com/MAGPDF/TA_017.pdf Review on page 135. The reviewer loved it, of course.

In the same issue they also reviewed the Lehmann Black Cube Linear.

Also in the same issue, some really interesting music reviews. (One of two major reasons I read the mag, the other would be the amazing photography.)

* in quotes because Tone Audio's reviews are consistently terribly inadequate

I haven't looked at the mag yet, but I saw an advance copy when I was at Todd's. Their reviews are weak, and his emphasis on how you would need to "hide" the the TTVJ amp from your audiophile friends seemed awkwardly naive, plus stupid. There is another review in the works that will have a little more depth and get a much broader exposure.

[riceboy]

The 307A was just "reviewed"* in Issue 17 of Tone Audio, which can be downloaded here: http://tonepublications.com/MAGPDF/TA_017.pdf Review on page 135. The reviewer loved it, of course.

In the same issue they also reviewed the Lehmann Black Cube Linear.

Also in the same issue, some really interesting music reviews. (One of two major reasons I read the mag, the other would be the amazing photography.)

Thanks for the link Asr. I'm gonna check it out

[n_maher]

Oh lord, immediate demerit for the reviewer with an ALO recabled something...

[Voltron]

/me *hides ALO iMod dock*

[deepak]

Oh lord, immediate demerit for the reviewer with an ALO recabled something...

Those Tone people make reading the SH audio section painful. They love the fleshy cable

[Voltron]

Those Tone people make reading the SH audio section painful. They love the fleshy cable

Too true. How many times have they started stupid fights that just make them look like retards?

[deepak]

Too true. How many times have they started stupid fights that just make them look like retards?

I know exactly what you mean, I don't understand how magazine reviewers can act like assholes to their readers. They're not even that big a publication

Some of the crap they post is just

[Voltron]

Oh, yeah, looking at the Tone article and the "Afterward" by Dorgay reminds me that the reviewer did all his listening single-ended! One of the very greatest balanced amplifiers of all time and he listened out of the 1/4" jack.

[n_maher]

/me *hides ALO iMod dock*

I don't see you reviewing a $6000 amp with it so no worries, Al.

[n_maher]

The photos were taken with a single-ended ALO recabled "something" plugged into the amp even though neither reviewer mentioned having one.

[Hopstretch]

Jesus, what runs their servers? Hamster wheels?

[Voltron]

No comprendo. Tone is downloaded and it took seconds for mine to be complete.

[guzziguy]

My download started off really slow. Then it suddenly sped up and finished the last 3/4's in much less time than it took the first 1/4. Maybe they put in fresh hamsters.

[JBLoudG20]

Screw this, I just appointed myself Editor-in-chief of Magazine-Case. I need writers, dammit. I think it goes without saying we will have "posty's corner". Other article ideas include: "aerius' porn-of-the-week/impending doom lunacy", xand1x's "audio tales from a black man", Ian obviously gets a 'goth meets the girl next door album covers", grawk's "tell it like it is", and a bi monthly DIY session from "suck it ALO".

Article submissions can be sent to me via pm or email link.

[aardvark baguette]

I look forward to reading Nenso's column.

[JBLoudG20]

Ah yes, other visiting contributors include:

Nensos "LOL OMGWTFBBQ LOL ANIIME KILLMEDIYSTYLE ROFL"

aardvark's "quintuple redundancy in data (porn) backups"

spritzer's "give me stax or give me death"

boomana's "proper portable amps to drive R10's, HE90's, k701's and the like"

dusty chalk's "black black and more black"

deepak's "the medical science behind burn-in"

rek's "monthly olive oil analysis"

hydro's "HAI GUIS: how to become a gurrel in 10 daise"

ok im done now, I think.