Koss 76 manual OAKVILLE, on

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familiar with many of the audiophile maga- zines, and I think yours is the most objective and informative of all of them. It makes me proud to know that such a great magazine comes from Canada.

Now on to the CEC DA53 converter. After reading your review in UHF No. 72, I purchased a DA53 and it is very good. As you noted in your review, it certainly adds punch to CDs. Like you, I was most interested in its versatility and particularly its ability to be used with an iPod.

The only problem is that I haven’t been able to figure out how to connect it to the iPod. I would still like to know how you guys connected an iPod to the DA 53.

John Lorito

OAKVILLE, ON

In fact, John, we jumped the gun on the question of connecting the iPod to a DAC. We had no difficulty connecting our computer to the DA53, and we made the assumption that, since the iPod can connect to a USB network, the two were made to go together. That doesn’t appear to be true.

14 ULTRA HIGH FIDELITY Magazine

But we haven’t given up. We have talked with two accessory companies (one of them Griffin, which brings out clever iPod accessories almost daily) about making an adapter to get pure digital from the iPod. We know the signal’s in there, and it appears that there’s at least one device, Apple’s penny dreadful “iPod Hi-Fi,” that can get access to it. We hope to crack the secret, and we’ll let you know how we do.

If the Cambridge DiscMagic/DACMagic are a matching pair, why is the DAC input limited to coax BNC, when the transport has an XLR output?

Furthermore: this may be relevant (it’s from Audio Asylum):

Join the two “hot” wires from the AES plug side into the single “hot” on the RCA side. Keep ground on AES to ground on the RCA side. It works but is not ideal, as an AES cable needs to be 110 ohm impedance and an SPDIF (coax) is 75 ohms. Be aware that the SPDIF digital signal is a +0.5 v to -0.5 v signal and an AES signal is +5.0 v to -5.0 v, but this should not be an issue, because

most DACs wont bother about this..

Does the above DIY make any sense, or is the transformer to match impedance absolutely necessary, if not advisable?

James Tay

TORONTO, ON

The Audio Asylum instructions you quote for matching a balanced output to an unbalanced input won’t work, James, and it’s obvious on the face of it. Mix together a positive voltage and a nega- tive voltage of the same value, and what do you get? Zilch. Whoever posted this hasn’t tried it, or else loves the sound of silence.

If you want to try a more rational method for adapting balanced to unbal- anced, these are the pin readouts: pin 1 is ground, pin 2 is “hot” or positive and pin 3 is negative (it’s the inverted version of the signal on pin 2). However there is absolutely no point in using the balanced input or output on one component unless the other component is also balanced. We should also add that a lot of “bal- anced” components are not balanced at all, because the goofs who designed them don’t understand what balancing is or what it’s for. And if “balancing” has been accomplished by adding an extra circuit, perhaps an op amp chip, you can guess what the result will be.

I have been reading your reviews on two integrated amplifiers, the Copland CTA- 405 and the Audiomat Opéra, and they both seem like they offer a lot of refinement for the money. Could you please guide me towards the best sounding of the two regardless of their price difference?

I also noted that in both your reviews on these amplifiers there was a moment where they seemed to sound more enjoyable than the reference system, and on that particular note it seems that the Copland definitely had the edge over the Opéra at sounding better than the reference system. Is it possible that the Copland 405 is better than the Opéra? Please help me buy either of these as to the best sounding amplifier of the two.

Laurent Shriqui

MONTRÉAL, QC

You aren’t the first to ask this, Lau- rent. We should explain that the two amplifiers were not reviewed on the same

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Contents $6.49 ASW Genius 400 Power on the Go Speaker ImpedanceMontreal Touring the New/Old ShowEditorial DOG-EARED MAGAZINES? Phooey Books that explain… Feedback Interactive Free Advice Rue Latour SAINT-HUBERT, QC J3Y 6A7 Tel Fax 450 DORVAL, QC Hi fi fo fum Port COQUITLAM, BC GEORGETOWN, on VICTORIA, BC OAKVILLE, on Reviews Canada’s online hi-fi Accessories store GET Free Advice On Line Speaker Impedance Impedance and damping factor Dui eugiam, volobor peraessi Measuring Impedance Can it pass your test? Montréal One of the nicer rooms Ultra High Fidelity Magazine Touring the OLD/NEW Show Ultra High Fidelity Magazine Ultra High Fidelity Magazine Ultra High Fidelity Magazine Ultra High Fidelity Magazine Totem MANI-2 Omega system Brand/model Totem Mani-2 Sensitivity 85 dB Impedance claimed 4 ohmsCrosstalk Brand/model Elac Price C$1650 Sensitivity 88 dB Impedance claimed 4 ohmsCrosstalk Price C$799 Sensitivity 88.5 dB Impedance claimed 8 ohmsAlbert Simon Headphone Amplifiers Benchmark DAC1 Price US$975CEC HD53-R UHF Classifieds Brand/model CEC HD53-R Back Issues High END Sound Room What about HDCD? On the test bench Conclusions Power on the GO Future HIGH-RES Discs Disc But who needs it?Totem MAN UHF What does the Mani-2’s impedance curve look like? Ultra High Fidelity Magazine Interconnects More ANALOG… Cleaner Power Support Systems Proprius Audioquest Miscellaneous Vinyl Albums Gordon Lightfoot, and how he changed a whole corner of music Phenomenal ascension Historical interlude Romantic? Get UHF on your desktop anywhere in the world Canadian MUSIC’S Long Trek You know you’ve always wanted them Millennium Crossings Beethoven Hammerklavier SonatasFelix Hell Argento Casa Guidi American Requiem Solid Link Dgroove Suite Española Frühbeck de Burgos/New PhilharmoniaUltra High Fidelity Magazine Poetics Film SpectacularUHF Reference Systems Cool Gets Warmer DRM in Canada State of the ART Audiophileboutique.com New Roksan M Series-1

76 specifications

The Koss 76 headphones are a notable addition to the world of audio technology, designed to offer listeners an immersive sound experience combined with comfort and convenience. Known for their exceptional sound quality, the Koss 76 headphones utilize a range of innovative features that set them apart in the competitive market of personal audio devices.

One of the standout features of the Koss 76 is its open-back design, which allows sound to travel freely in and out of the earcups. This design not only adds a sense of spaciousness to the audio but also contributes to a more natural listening experience. Users appreciate the open-back headphones for their ability to create a wide soundstage, making them ideal for critical listening and enjoying nuanced details in music, dialogue, and sound effects.

Another key characteristic of the Koss 76 is its lightweight build, which is crucial for long listening sessions. Weighing in at just a few ounces, these headphones provide ease of use without compromising on sturdiness. The plush ear cushions ensure that users remain comfortable, even after hours of wear, making them suitable for both casual listening and more extended use during activities such as gaming or working from home.

In terms of sound performance, the Koss 76 headphones boast a rich dynamic range, producing clear highs, well-defined mids, and deep bass. This balanced sound signature ensures that all types of music, from classical to contemporary pop, can be enjoyed as the artists intended. The inclusion of high-quality drivers further enhances clarity and reduces distortion, making the Koss 76 a great choice for audiophiles looking for quality on a budget.

Moreover, Koss has integrated a durable cable into the design of the 76 headphones, featuring a convenient 3.5mm audio jack that is compatible with a wide array of devices including smartphones, tablets, and laptops. The cord length is optimized to provide flexibility without tangling, allowing for hassle-free movement while listening.

In summary, the Koss 76 headphones exemplify a successful fusion of comfort, functionality, and superior sound quality. Their open-back design, lightweight construction, and well-balanced audio make them a compelling choice for anyone seeking an engaging and enjoyable listening experience. Whether for casual enjoyment or critical listening, the Koss 76 stands out as a reliable option in modern audio equipment.
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