Balance Control
ok...not sure what category to start this in so....here it goes.
i know balance control options are not widely available, at least from what I have seen. However, with volume loss and damage to my right ear, I am looking for a way to adjust, offset, some of that loss.
To keep what i have simple and relevant, I run a Hegel 190v, a few years old, newer model. Monitor silver series speakers and an Audeze MM-500 headphones. Also run a pair of Lokius - table and cd
Of note, I like the Hegel, but not sure it is the absolute best to pair with the Silvers or vica-versa...so these might or could change over time, in no rush as happy enough and the EQ takes edges off when needed.
75% of the time i am using the headphones. No dedicated listening room and a lot of later night listening....plus i like it.
So, looking for the collective wisdom of this place to give me possible solutions, options, possibilities, recommended units and such. I have come up with either replacing the Hegel with a unit with balance control - or with a unit with separate left and right channel volume control - or since i listen mostly to headphones, a headphone amp that can do the same..and just suck it up for now on the speakers. However, not sure about so much as to what is out there.
This is not something i need to do immediate but looking to map a plan so to speak. Gather input. Trying to avoid doing one thing only to change to another.
I truly appreciate any input as reading this forum has help over the years.
Now, other thought i had was replacing the Hegel with say a Parasound.integrated.....or i could go separates there with Parasound (Halo 6 pre amp and A23+ power). That would give me the balance, performance and sound quality.
Again, appreciate all the thoughts...yeah, i can find a lot online, but reviews and assessment so of gear can be very skewed. |
I have reached the point of my journey that I will not be without a balance control ever again. I lived for too many years with a pre-amp that did not provide one, and the skewing of the soundstage was an irritant that I don't want to endure again. I purchased the first version of a preamp of a very good tube manufacturer, because his subsequent preamp offerings did not have the balance control. My hearing, my room, my vintage components (older cartridges, a tuner from the early 60's, a reel-to-reel tape deck from the 70's) - none of those things are perfectly symmetrical.
One good work around is to invest in DSP - I used a DSpeaker Anti-Mode 2.0 - as they often have a balance control as part of its offerings. Plus, it will snap your bass into good shape as well...
David |
I searched for a MM Phono Stage for my office, tried and returned several highly respected mid priced units, sent them all back, finally thought, I’ll use this temporarily until I solve this It sounds darn good, better than several that cost 250-500. I enjoyed it’s sound, and it fits behind anything. Now your TT becomes line level into the Chase, like your CD and Streamer, then Chase to Hegel, which powers both your headphones and speakers, all sources pre-balanced via the Chase. My son has it now, my Little Luxman Tube Integrated has MM/MC built-in and sounds very good. |
That Chase RLC-1 has an automatic low level listening feature they don't mention, that must be understood and set up correctly. Unplug, Plug it In, that gets all the lights flashing and resets all defaults, which is a fairly low volume level. Press it's remote power button, the lights stop flashing, all ready. Leave Chase volume alone, Raise or lower your Hegel Integrated Amp's Volume Control to your typical listening level, and leave it there unchanged after this 'initial 'normal'. NOW: Use the Chase to adjust balance as desired. Select any input, AFTER 'initial normal', After 'initial balance' use the Chase to raise or lower the volume. When you go below the default volume level of the Chase, it has automatic and progressive BASS BOOST, it will maintain the presence of a Jazz Bass player for instance, as our hearing is not 'equal' at low volumes, re: Fletcher Munson 'Loudness' Curve. Chase holds all last selections and settings, power on your most recent volume, balance, input are all retained It's a great feature, however you need to be aware of it, and use it properly. You want to avoid bass boost at too loud volumes. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equal-loudness_contour I add a face mounted power switch so I can get back to defaults occasionally without unplugging it. |
I use this to control the channel balance of my turntable as needed. It’s probably far from audiophile-approved, but it works great for me. They make versions with balanced (XLR) inputs and outputs also.
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