Headstage Arrow 5TX

[Kooka]

Un nouveau sujet - qui complète le topic Feedback - pour ce DAC/Amp qui va très vite devenir mon "couteau-suisse" de l'audiophilie : DAC/Amp pour mon Mac, DAC/Amp pour mon smartphone et même Ampli en sortie de mon DAP quand j'en ai marre de mon autre Ampli. Il sait tout faire et bien !

Headstage Arrow 5TX (Normal Bass Boost) (il existe aussi une version "Enhanced Bass Boost")

Normal Bass Boost : position 0 = bass boost off / position I = +6dB / position II = +9dB
Enhanced Bass Boost : position 0 = bass boost off / position I = +9dB / position II = +18dB


Si fin, si petit, si léger : si racé !!

* Fonctions :
The new Headstage Arrow 5TX offers supreme sound in an ultra slim case with high output power and long battery run time. It is equipped with an digital volume control and a portable USB DAC that works with your iPhone (iOS7) or Android mobile phones.
Digital Volume Control
A digital volume control with 65-steps and mute function has been implemented. Especially users of IEMs will like this new volume control as there is no imbalance between right/left channels on lower volumes as it appears on most analog potentiometers.
Portable/Stationary USB DAC
Many users prefer an all-in-one headphone amp that can be connected directly to an USB port. The Arrow 5G not only has an USB DAC that works with a PC, it can also be set to "Mobile" mode to work with an iPhone/iPad (via the "Camera Connection Kit") or Android phones. In this "Mobile" mode the USB DAC is powered by the internal battery, while in "PC" mode current is taken from the USB port. The USB DAC may also be turned off so that it won't install itself every time you intent to charge the battery by a PC.
Automatic Power Adaptation
The "Arrow" is the only headphone amp to use an automatic power adaptation. The battery voltage of 4V is boosted to a voltage just as high as needed to provide a distortion-free sound--with a maximum voltage of 12V. This patented technique provides high power output along with exceptional battery run-time. That way the amplifier is useful for a wide range of headphones, whether they are full size/high-ohm or low-impedance IEMs.
Automatic Power Switch
Another unique feature is the illuminated power switch that can be set to OFF, ON or AUTO. In AUTO mode the amp will automatically turn on when an audio signal is connected, and off after the music stopped playing--with a 3 minute delay.
Ultra Slim Design
The design with carefully selected parts provides an ultra slim amplifier with a height of only 8.5mm (0.33''). It is one of the most portable amplifier. Special production techniques have been invented to build an enclosure with exceptional quality.

* Spécifications :
• Patented Power Adaptation with up to 12V Internal Voltage
• Maximal 10V Output Voltage (Peak to Peak)
• 25 Hours Battery Play Time
• AD8620 and BUF634 Buffers at Output Stage
• 65 Step Digital Volume Control with Mute
• USB DAC for PC/MAC/Android/iPhone/iPad (iPhone/iPad via Camera Connection Kit)
• ON/OFF/AUTO Illuminated Power Switch
• Three Selectable Gain Settings
• Two Bass Switches (Amount and Range)
• Treble Switch
• High-Capacity 1200mAh/4.2V Lithium-Ion Battery
• High Efficiency Battery Charging from USB Port
• Two Audio Input Jacks
• One Headphone Jack
• Low-Battery Indication (Slow and Fast LED Blinking)
• Fully Anodized Aluminium Enclosure with Laser Engraving
• Size: 8.5mm x 56mm x 98mm (0.33'' x 2.20'' x 3.86'')
• Weight: 100g

* Change Log

Arrow 1G
• Since mid February 2010: Improved sensitivity of automatic
switch (will not turn off accidentally)
• Since April 2010: Nuts are directly soldered on the circuit board
(will not get loose)
Arrow G2.0
• Second headphone jack
• No real power switch
• Deeper bass boost 9dB + 9dB
• Longer battery run time (up to 50 hours)
• Film input caps
• Lower ESR power rail caps and decoupling caps
• Rear switches are more recessed (less sticking out)
• Better firmware (faster power shifting, more precise battery
voltage detection etc.)
Arrow G2.1
• New pre-amp (less switch-on click noise)
Arrow G2.2
• Change of output resistors from 10/75/120 to 0/65/110 (better
synergy with some IEMs like Triple.Fi 10 which sound weird with
any output resistor)
Arrow G3.0
• Change of output resistors to 0/20/65 (better control of treble)
• Additional ceramic capacitors to lower impedance of tantalum
caps (virtual better treble but barely noticeable)
Arrow G4.0
• No more impedance button (useless function as the power draw automatically adjusts to the cans being used)
• Replaced output resistors with an optional treble boost
• Now has treble boost with two settings.
• Bass boost has been reduced from +9dB and +9dB+9dB on pre-4G models to +3dB and +9dB
• Amp now has double battery life (30 hours for high impedance and 80 hours for low impedance)

* Mesures :

Manuel d'utilisation :

Arrow 5TX Manual

Battery charging
A blinking red LED indicates that the battery needs to be charged. Connect to an USB port and the battery will charge in 3-4 hours.
As long as the green LED blinks the battery is charging. Once the green LED shines steady the charging is finished.
When the "DAC" switch is set to "M" (Mobile) the battery may only be charged by an adapter and not by a computer.

Power switch "O I A"
In "A" (Auto)-mode the amplifier will switch off after 5 minutes without music playing (the red LED will dim after 2 minutes). In "I"-mode the amplifier will turn off after 60 minutes without music playing.
When the red LED blinks the switch-off times will be shorter. For example, if the red LED blinks very fast it means that the battery is almost empty and the turn-off time is only 30 seconds instead of 5 minutes.
Note that the incoming audio signal can not be too low, otherwise the amp can not detect it. Keep the volume of the music player (MP3, CD etc.) at about 50-80% of its maximum.

Volume control
Slide the volume wheel to the side will increase or decrease the volume in 65-steps. If the wheel is pushed in the center the volume will mute and may be released after it was pushed again.

Gain switch
Keep the gain switch at the lowest possible position to keep the noise level low. Only increase the gain when the volume is not enough. Headphones with a higher impedance rating will need a higher gain to play at the same loudness as low impedance headphones.

DAC switch
Select "O" to deactivate the USB DAC. Connecting the amplifier to a computer will only charge the battery.
Select "P" (PC) when you use a computer as a digital audio source (via an USB cable). The internal DAC in the 5TX will be turned on when an active PC is connected. That means it is not necessary to set the DAC switch to "O" after disconnecting from a computer. The DAC switch actually has no function when no USB source is connected.
Select "M" (Mobile) when you use a portable device (Android, iPhone/iPod/iPad) as a digital audio source. In "M"-mode the 5TX's battery will not be charged by an digital player. It can only be charged by an adapter. Simply disconnect the digital player and connect an adapter to charge the battery. The amplifier will automatically detect the presence of an adapter. (Very old adapters sold about 10 years ago may not be detected--in this case use a newer one.)

USB DAC connection
Android: Use the supplied USB-USB cable to connect an Android phone. Although very thick the cable may be flexed easily. All new Android phones support the USB DAC connection. If not, please update the firmware and try to connect again.
iPhone/iPad: A "Camera Connection Kit" and a standard USB cable is needed to connect the amplifier to an iPhone/iPod/iPad.

* Informations donnés par le constructeur :

"The Arrow 5TX is the successor of the 5T. Two BUF634 buffers increase the AD8620's output current to 250mA per each channel. This will let the AD8620 operate with less distortion as it doesn't have to drive the headphones directly. Sound quality is is further improved by biasing the AD8620 into class A operation using cascaded JFETs. This will make the Arrow 5TX a true high-end amp with the same size and functionality of the 5T! "

Sound wise the 5TX will sound warmer as the 5N/5P but not as soft as the 5T. The BUF635 will give the AD8620 more strength and let it shine up. The bass/treble boosts are the same as the 5N/5T. Your 5P has more bass/treble boost.
The gain setting is the same as all other Arrow amps. The hiss is not hearable at the lowest gain position (almost unity gain).

Set the "DAC" switch the P (PC).
DAC switch settings:
O - DAC is turned off and the battery is charging. Use this setting when you only need to charge the amp.
P - DAC is turned on and the battery is charging. Use this setting to use the amp as an "external sound card" on your PC.
M - DAC is turned on but the battery is not charging. Use this setting to use the amp as an "external sound card" on your mobile devices (Android/Apple). Charging is only possible on an adapter and not on a PC.
Note that the DAC is in any case only turned on when an USB port is connected. So no need to set the "DAC" switch to the "O" position every time after using on a computer.

The FREQ switch sets which frequencies are boosted. L means only low frequencies are boosted. H means mid frequencies are boosted as well. So the BASS switch sets the amount and FREQ the range of the boosted frequencies. It takes some time to figure out the best setting. On the Arrow 5P (Punch) the change of every step is more noticeable than on the 5N/5T.

Arrow 5N/5P: Maximal output voltage: 11V, maximal output current according AD8397 datasheet: 230mA
Arrow 5T: Maximal output voltage: 10V, maximal output current according AD8620 datasheet: 30mA
Although the AD8620 is obviously weaker it has a "richer" soundage. The AD8397 sounds very flat (but the amp has treble/bass boosts to make it sound richer). So the power rating doesn't necessary tell about the sound quality. Everyone has a different taste.

So what is the max amount of bass decibal wise with the standard board an then with the punch board added??
Arrow 5N/5T: 0/6/9dB
Arrow 5P: 0/9/18dB
Differents versions :
Arrow 5N: clear powerfull sound without coloring
Arrow 5P: same sound as 5N but with punchy bass boost
Arrow 5T: warm rich soundage

* Comparaison de tailles avec d'autres DAC/AMP du même type (Cayin C5D et JDS Labs C5D) et des amplis nomades (Cayin C5 / JDS Labs C5 / JDS Labs C421 / AloAudioRXmk2) :

* Reviews :
- Tellement Nomade : [Feedback amateur] Headstage Arrow 5TX /bass edition
- Le topic d'HF : http://www.head-fi.org/t/475499/headsta ... tions/3150
- Review sur Head-FI : http://www.head-fi.org/products/headsta ... iews/13836
- Review sur Basshead.club : http://www.basshead.club/headstage-arro ... st-review/

[rudra]

Bravo Kooka pour cette superbe synthèse

Je l'utilise avec grand plaisir couplé à un RWAK120-B ou un RWAK100-S. Très transparent, extrêmement bien pensé / conçu / fini / pratique

Un EQ hardware parfait pour adapter la signature de ses intras ou casques en fonction de ce que l'on écoute, en un ou deux clics de switch. Top

[Kooka]

Dans les killers Features, l'allumage/extinction automatique et la coupure du son (mute) par clic sur la molette de volume sont une tuerie !

Faut vraiment que je prenne le temps de l'écouter "en profondeur", mais Robert a fait un excellent travail sur cette dernière version en date et je trouve une belle amélioration par rapport aux versions précédentes : autant entre G3 et G4 je n'ai pas vu de vrai gap, autant là je pense qu'il est encore une classe au-dessus ... Impressionnant pour si un petit engin.

[Kooka]

Le Arrow 6TX/6NX vient de débarquer !! (et il remplace le 5TX, qui n'est donc plus produit...)


http://www.headstage.com/Arrow-6NX/6TX/ ... 5b866bff60

In production now. Should be finished in April!

Headstage Arrow 6NX (with crystal clear sound) EUR 299,00 incl. VAT;
The new Headstage Arrow 6NX is a stylish headphone amp in an ultra slim case with high output power and long battery run time. It uses the LM6172 opamp and BUF634 buffers to achieve a high fidelity sound. "NX" stands for a crystal clear neutral sound with "extra" output power (added BUF634 buffers).

Headstage Arrow 6TX (with tube-like sound) EUR 349,00 incl. VAT;
The 6TX is the same as the 6NX but with the AD8620 opamp. The sound is a bit warmer. "TX" stands for a "tube-like" sundae with "extra" output drive (added BUF634 buffers).

=> Donc si je comprends bien, le 6TX = le 5TX (on dirait qu'il n'y a rien qui change ?) et le 6NX est la nouveauté, avec un changement d'Op-Amp (de AD8620 vers LM6172 pour un son plus neutre/cristallin, moins chaud).


De plus : "New developments" http://www.headstage.club/showthread.ph ... velopments

Future amps will look like this...

More info will come soon...

[MrButchi]

Robert est une machine... (à prendre du retard aussi XD)

[DarkZunicorn]

A propos, à l'usage, les 65 pas du potard numérique, ce n'est pas un peu juste pour régler finement le son, notamment sur les systèmes d'écoute très sensibles et/ou peu impédants ?
Pour comparaison : il y en a 255 sur le DX50...

[Kooka]

A propos, à l'usage, les 65 pas du potard numérique, ce n'est pas un peu juste pour régler finement le son, notamment sur les systèmes d'écoute très sensibles et/ou peu impédants ?
Pour comparaison : il y en a 255 sur le DX50...

Je n'ai rien dans le cas que tu décris (= peu impédants), mais j'ai envie de dire "non" quand même ( ) : c'est bien suffisant et plus fin comme réglage, je trouve, qu'avec un potard à potentiomètre...

Edit : le C5/C5D de Jds Labs en possède 63, par ex. Et ça passe bien aussi. ^-^

[MrButchi]

J'ai la même expérience que toi kookaburra.

Et en plus, le réglage par clics est GENIAL pour faire des écoutes comparées : il suffit de déterminer la différence une fois, et après le "volume matching" est vite fait bien fait (et à tout le moins, il a le mérite d'être constant à défaut d'être parfait).

Merci pour l'update !

[Buzthafuzz]

Ce Arrow 5TX, il m'a redonné l'espoir dans mes premières intentions, que j'avais abandonnées: écouter de la musique sur mon vieux galaxy S3 et rester dans la secte Danba. Hélas, lors de ma dernière expérience, j'avais banché un mini-dac à l'usb et un pico slim au mini-dac... Le son était top, mais tous ces branchements, c'était la merde, plein de mauvais contacts, la misère. Le Arrow, je l'avais d'abord pris pour brancher en ampli seul sur le Lotoo, puis évidemment, j'ai testé pour voir (je me comprends) sur le samsung avec le mini câble usb fourni. Et là! La classe! Ça c'est pas du câble usb pourri, ça, c'est de la qualité, madame... J'ai ressorti mon usb audio player pro et je kiffe. Plein de sub, les bas médiums sont bien tenus, bien fermes et concis, les aigus sont pile poil comme j'aime, tout ça grâce aux réglages d'eq du Arrow. L'eq ou il faut juste pousser un bouton, ça me va (coucou coa). Les médiums, j'ai du mal à en parler parce que les EI.3, qui ont indéniablement du médium, manquent de richesse à ce niveau... Je ne sais pas pourquoi, peut-être parce que je suis aussi un FitEar boy, mais c'est un autre sujet... Bref, je suis amoureux. Rendez-vous dans 2 ou 3 mois, je reviendrai vous parler du remplaçant.

[Lucius]

J'aime bien quand tu parles de Fitear

[Kooka]

Rhoooo...
J'avais un peu oublié le son de cette bestiole et à quel point il est plaisant à écouter et bon techniquement (très bon ampli).