I am hoping someone can help me. I am running Windows 11 (Audirvana with Qobuz) to a Fiio R2R DAC (previously - Topping D10S) to Topping L70 headphone amp via XLR. The volume is set to max on Audirvana Studio. The Topping L70 won’t drive any of my over ears headphones or IEM’s, it has to be set to ‘High Gain’ and then the volume is set between -14db and -25db depending on the album (some albums are really quiet on output). My portable Fiio KA3 (DAC/Amp) has no trouble driving any of my IEMs via a Samsung phone. Is this normal? any help would be most welcome.
Check the output setting of the Fiio DAC..
The L70 specs…
Hi, thank you for the reply. The output for the DAC is set to maximum. You have sent me the specs for the Topping L70 is there a reason for this, they don’t make a lot of sense to me. I thought that this headphone amp is a high output. Thanks again for your help. Is there anything else I can try or should I get in touch with Audirvana?
Not sure from your post which model you have but I assume you have selected the correct line out mode. I see the k13 has three, LO line out, PRE for active speakers and PO phone out. To get the correct mode for an amp you would select LO mode which I see with the k13 you activate by pressing the volume control knob?
The L70 has three operating modes… HPA (headphone amp only), PRE (preamp only) and HPA + PRE (both outputs are functional)… Make sure you are in the proper output mode of the L70… Before making any changes make sure the L70 volume level is around -60dB so you don’t accidentally damage your IEM’s or headphones, or speakers if using the HPA + PRE mode… The level setting for each mode is memorized.
As @Djm1960 suggests, the FiiO DAC output settings must align with the output connection… Single-ended (RCA or Phone-plug) output voltage is lower than the Balanced output voltage… Don’t use a Single-ended → XLR adapter.
Thank you for the reply. I’m using a Fiio Warmer R2R DAC connected to the Topping L70 by XLR.
I’ll give the suggestions a try. Thank you for helping, it is much appreciated.
Thank you for the suggestions. I’ll check my settings. I am an older person, so my hearing has deteriorated. For my listening levels, with most iems, I have to have the Topping on high gain and set to -20db. When I use the same iems on my portable Fiio KA3 DAC/Amp via my Samsung phone I only need the volume on the phone at 50% to get the same volume level to what I listen to on the Fiio Warmer R2R/Topping L70 combination, it just seems to me something can’t be right. It’s almost as if the PC is reducing the output. I’ll give you suggestions a try. Thank you.
It is more like the Samsung phone was adding gain…
You can add gain via the Audirvāna Volume control… But, I do not advise this, as more-likely-than-not adding gain from Audirvāna will induce clipping distortion in the DAC architecture.
If you are feeding the balanced inputs of the L70 from the balanced outputs of the Fiio DAC, the output voltage [ 3.3Vrms (1kHz@10kΩ) ] of the Fiio DAC is sufficient enough, However, the power of this signal is relative to the input impedance of the L70 and output impedance of the Fiio DAC… the L70 input may like to see 4.4 or 5Vrms and there may be an input impedance mismatch between the two devices… L70 input ( > 8Ω ) and the output impedance of the Fiio DAC (1kHz@10kΩ)
You really cannot compare the playback levels of the two different systems without understanding the implications of the audio input/output parameter/measurement synergies.
Edit: @Steve_W
In addition, from what information you have provided, it reads like the L70 is a new addition as well… Take note of the ‘Output Power’ specifications for the different headphone outputs and the output you have the IEMs connected, relative to the IEM impedance specification.
Thank you @Agoldnear I really appreciate all your help. I’ll look into your suggestions.