Owner`s manual
2
3
Balanced Home Amp Front Panel Descriptions
2.
rear
output
switch
4.
crossfeed
switch
6.
volume
control
The Balanced Home Amp
1. Headphone Ouputs: The headphone outputs are where you plug in your
headphones. The Balanced Home amp can drive either two headphones with
double-XLR balanced connectors or up to four headphones with single-ended
unbalanced 1/4” plugs. The Home can power all these headphones simultane-
ously -- just in case you’re having a groovy headphone party!
2. Rear Output Switch: If you want to use your Home amp as a pre-amplifier, a
set of RCA connectors on the rear faceplate act as analog outputs for hooking up
a power amplifier or powered speakers.
3. Brightness Switch: The filter/brightness switch is used to compensate for
the slight warming action of the crossfeed circuit. In the center position, there is
no filter present in the circuit. This is generally the preferred setting. But if you
feel that the crossfeed is causing too much bass response in the source material
or a faint blurring of the central soundstage image, a mild high frequency boost
can be turned on. The “filter 1” setting accentuates the highs at around 3kHz;
with the “filter 2” setting, the filter starts an octave earlier and catches some
of the upper mids while providing an additional boost in the amplitude of the
frequency range. The best setting is whatever sounds good to you!
4. Crossfeed Switch: This switch engages the HeadRoom crossfeed circuit.
Audio imaging on headphones is often not very good; typically the image is a
blob on the left, a blob on the right, and a blob in the middle. The HeadRoom
crossfeed provides the natural acoustic cross-feed normally heard at the left and
right ear as heard from the left and right speaker. Restoring the normally occur-
ring cross-feed signal gives your brain enough information to build the stable
and natural audio image needed to have a quality listening experience. Read
more about the crossfeed switch on page 13.
5. Gain Switch: The 3-position Gain Switch accomodates various headphones’
power needs. For instance, the Low Gain setting would be used for in-ear moni-
tors, allowing a larger range on the volume control pot. Experimenting with your
headphones and the gain switch may help you to determine which setting you
prefer. If have any questions regarding your headphones, feel free to call and
ask us.
6. Volume Control: As you turn the volume control knob clockwise, the volume
increases. You never know where the volume control should be set as differ-
ent headphones often have widely different impedances and efficiencies, so use
your ears to choose your listening level, not the level on the dial. (We recom-
mend you choose a moderate level so as not to blow out your ears.) You also
need to turn the amp OFF or ALL THE WAY DOWN before plugging in or unplugging
your headphones to avoid a potential short-circuiting of the amp.
3.
brightness
switch
5.
gain
switch
1.
headphone
outputs