Update on the balanced cables
- A&K SR15
- Original Sundara SE cable
- Linsoul Tripowin Granvia balanced cables
I've swapped back to the original cables. I listened on various types of music, regular 16bit 44KHz, and higher res stuff. Different genres.
The balanced cables are a tangible improvement over the original. The SR15 drives the Sundaras better than with the original SE cable. A-B comparison it's louder, so I can turn the volume down a few clicks.
Of course ymmv. It may be because the cable is better full stop. Or it's particular to the SR15 and Sundara, as you have two halves of the amp working in push-pull instead of half the amp in SE. Perhaps with a more capable headphone output (amp) then the difference may not be so marked.
Why did I think it wasn't an improvement initially? I relied on memory and didn't compare straight away. This isn't a blind test, so take my opinion as just that.
I don't have a balanced amp (yet).
For 49USD delivered to my door in less than 2 weeks from China, it's worth it.
A third scenario
- A&K SR15
- Objective 2 Headphone amp
- Cheap generic 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable
- Original Sundara SE cable
This sounds good. Much better than the SR15 and original cable.
I can't hear much difference between this and the SR15 with the balanced cable.
The balanced may be slightly better.
In all three scenarios used the same headphones, same source, same music.
I switched to my AKG K701 for a quick comparison, they sound a little creamier, richer, but lost some definition and texture throughout the spectrum.