I have a question about optimizing the Bartok APEX headphone output setting with volume level, but first I purchased a new pair of headphones that I had learned about and was intrigued - the Austrian Audio The Composer and they are phenomenal! I’m thrilled.
I love the Meze Elite, but had become disenchanted with the DCA Stealth. They were really great in many ways, but at least to my ears were a little too intense to wear for long. Perhaps it’s the closed back nature. I can’t say exactly what it was, but I started to research headphones that could give me some of the qualities of the Elite but with more detail–a blend of the best of both worlds.
Perhaps The Composer is it. They are relatively new and feedback is a little mixed, but what I read of the positives intrigued me. Glad I made the purchase. They are very fun and very interesting to listen too.
Moving on to my question: the Elite and The Composer are both efficient (which BTW was a quality I was looking for). Both appear to benefit from the balanced connection, especially The Composer.
I’ve read that some prefer the dynamics of the 0 dB output of the Bartok even if they have to dial back the volume - which the manual states is optimum between -10 and -30 dB.
Output level varies album to album, but in general with both headphones I have to set the headphone output to -10 dB, -20 dB or -30 dB, to achieve the “ideal” volume setting. With 0 dB I often have to go below -30 dB, but sometimes I can go as high as -26 dB.
To summarize the question - do you lose dynamics when you set the Bartok headphone output to something less than 0 dB or am I making a big deal out of nothing? Should one optimize for volume setting or output level?
@Mark Nice combo! wondering why you chose the 0dB output? Curious what is your listing range is.
Also does the volume control for the headphone section of the Bartok work like the pre amp section (i.e recommended to keep the range between -30 and -10)
Got to echo @haha161 and Mark, I think the Meze Elite or Empyrean suit the Bartók phenomenally and have been running Elites at the -20dB setting for the longest time.
I almost feel a little embarrassed to admit that sometimes I dig out a very old pair of Grado RS1 for something deliciously wonky and unapologetically colourful
A pair of Dan Clark Audio Stealth can for me. (however, i have just bought a Phonitor X headphone amp and that seems to suit the DCA phones better than the bartok amp)
I am using the 2022 (third and current version) Focal Utopias with the Transparent Ultra balanced headphone cable, Bartok with HA/Rossini Clock with Nordost Valhalla clock cables. I generally listen with Expanse 1 on. To me this combination sounds fantastic, many happy hours listening to it, particularly late at night when I can’t listen through the speakers.
