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entivoo t1_je8wq7c wrote

Reply to comment by blorg in Really enjoying my new $350 "budget" setup. HD660S and Topping DX1 by Jfox8

Balanced is not always the best I think, but most manufacturers simply put all of their resources to balanced output and input if their amp/dac has both single ended and balanced. At least for lower end amp/dac like the toppings. High end ones mostly have the same quality of sound between the balanced and single ended output or input.

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blorg t1_je8y1rk wrote

It's entirely possible to make a single ended amp that is as good as a balanced one, balanced isn't necessary in that regard. But it's often an easy/relatively cheap way to add more power, at a given pricepoint, or with a particular design. Particularly with small USB or battery powered stuff.

The person I was responding to doubted anyone "can actually hear the difference between balanced and single ended". But it provides in these type of devices typically 3-4x the power, and that's a very obvious difference, if you have something that needs it. HD660S doesn't need it.

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