I'll start by outlining my audio setup:

Win7 / JRiver Media Center -> ASIO -> Asus Xonar Essence STX -> Firestone Cute Boyond -> Sennheiser HD555

I noticed when playing using ASIO that at very low volumes the audio is only coming through my left can. The problem reduces as the volume increases and the issue becomes less noticeable, and at loudish listening volumes I don't think I can notice it, although since discovering this it's been hard to tell; placebo etc.

I then switched to WASAPI with the volume in windows / jriver set to 100% (exclusive mode ofc) and the problem was still present. I then set the software volume to 15% and turned the amp up, and I don't think the left can seemed any louder, although I'm not ruling out the possibility of a defunct right driver as the sole problem.
The issue is also present in windows media player using direct sound, once again, only with software vol set high. It doesn't, however, seem as pronounced with this configuration, making me think the headphones are not entirely, or at all, to blame.

I was running using the rca out from the soundcard straight to the amp. I used a 3.5 to rca adapter and found the problem still to be present, although very possibly, less obvious.
I then discarded the amp and used the headphones directly from the card via 6.3mm using wasapi with software vol @ 15% and I could detect no problem, although as before, the problem may only be present at high software vol's, and without the amp to turn it down, I care not to try that.

As a side note I did swap out the two jrc2114d opamps in the I/V for two lme49720na's.
I doubt that this is related to the problem as these two opamps deal only with the 6.3 out and not the rca out which deals only with the lm4562 in the buffer.

Also, I have performed the mod on the 555's by removing the foam to increase the frequency response to that of the 595's. I do not believe I damaged either of the drivers during this process, but it is something to be aware of.

I am running driver version 7.12.8.17731 which is the one designed for bit transparent output with asio.

My next test will be to install driver version 7.12.8.1793 which is the latest.
I'll also look around for another rca cable to see if that is the problem.

So yeah, bit of a read, but any thoughts will be appreciated



edit: I thought I'd also say that the cute beyond is only a day old, hence me discovering the problem now. The xonar essence is a couple of months old, and the 555's about a year.

O.k ill answer this as probably one of the 2 people that can answer this, myself and lantern...

From reading your story, it seems that something is going on with output stage of the STX..

If the problem is happening from both outputs then there is defiantly a problem with the card...

sounds like a DAC problem to me.... although Burr-Browns are supposed to be pretty faultless..

just did clean install of the normal drivers problem still there, tested with 16/44.1 mp3 and flac. havent tried 24/96 flac yet, although I see no reason why it would be different.

I will also try running from the onboard mobo dac through the amp to verify that it isnt the cute beyond or 555's

Ok so ran off onboard with directsound through cute beyond and I'm having the same problem still.

once my mate gets home from drinking I'll see if he has a rca cable I can try, jsut to check that.
I'll also get hold of my 3.5 to 6.3 adapter which I lent to a mate and test onboard with no amp.

As it is at this stage I'm pretty sure it's the 555's, given the results so far, which is gay cause from my setup they're the only part I'm not likely to be able to claim warranty on lmao.

that sucks....

just slash out on some K701/K702's if there ****ed

hmmm I'd absolutely love a pair of k701's, but having just splashed out on the amp (read: poor student :3 ) that may be a little way off.
I could sacrifice my bitperfect audio and lower software volume, and at this stage it isn't noticeable that way.

Having said that Sennheiser are very good for making headphones which are easy to service, so if I can determine that it is definitely the right driver, I may be able to pick up a new one reasonably cheap. (hopefully, not too sure on that one yet.)

yer sucks

MS-1, DT880,K702 Set-up here

im actually offended.

im running AD900s and DT880s. I have had issues with my Xonar switching channels on me mid way through a song/game etc. which was odd. This is solved by switching the control centre from headphones to 2 speaker setup and vice versa.

Edited once, 12/5/11 - 12:38am.

was a broad statement...

The only people that I know that have any idea about what there talking about is, Sensuki and Lantern.....

Both run high end Headphone setups.....

you're forgiven.

Now I'm ******* confused.

I borrowed a mates 555's and problem still there.

Switched RCA inputs so left is coming out right and right from left, yet the right driver still is the one malfunctioning at low amplitude.

Definitely not happening without amp, and only seems to happen when at low amplitude in amp. By switching to high gain I was able to verify that it happens at low vol in software too.

All other sounds switched properly when I switched the rca's which is why it seems real odd to me.

But yeah, I guess it's the amp.