Listening to music with headphones via balanced connection

Connecting the balanced connection compatible headphones to the headphone amplifier upgrades sound quality from an audio device connected to the headphone amplifier.

Balanced connection compatible headphones

MDR-Z1R / MDR-Z7*1 / MDR-1A*2 / MDR-100AAP*2 / XBA-Z5*3 / XBA-H3*3 / XBA-H2*3 / XBA-A3*3 / XBA-A2*3 / XBA-N3AP*3 / XBA-N1AP*3 / XBA-300AP*3 (as of August 2016)

*1A balanced-connection headphone cable (MUC-B20SB1, sold separately) is necessary.

*2A balanced-connection headphone cable (MUC-S12SB1, sold separately) is necessary.

*3A balanced-connection headphone cable (MUC-M12SB1, sold separately) is necessary.


For the latest compatible models, access the following URL:

http://www.sony-asia.com/support

  1. Connect the balanced-connection headphone cable connected to the headphones to the headphone jack (Balanced standard).

    A: L+

    B: L-

    C: R+

    D: R-

    E: Unused

  2. Connect an audio device to the headphone amplifier.
  3. Rotate the power/volume knob clockwise to turn on the headphone amplifier.

    The CHG POWER indicator flashes in green and then lights up.
    Rotate the power/volume knob further clockwise to turn up the volume.

  4. Start playback on the connected audio device.

    When playing High-Resolution Audio format files on your computer with the headphone amplifier, download and install “Hi-Res Audio Player.” For details on downloading, see “Installing “Hi-Res Audio Player” on a computer.”

  5. Rotate the power/volume knob to adjust the volume.

When the volume remains low

Depending on the headphones, the volume may remain low, even if you turn the volume up to the max volume.

In this case, turn off the headphone amplifier and set the GAIN select switch to HIGH, then turn on the headphone amplifier again. The GAIN select switch changes the maximum volume level of the volume knob among three levels (LOW, NORMAL, HIGH). In normal use, the GAIN select switch should be set at NORMAL.

Hint

  • When the headphone amplifier is turned on, you can check the battery level by the number of times that the CHG POWER indicator flashes in green.
    • Flashes three times (green): Substantially charged
    • Flashes twice (green): Half charged
    • Flashes once (green): Battery level is low. It is necessary to charge the battery.
    • Continuous flashing (orange): It is necessary to charge the battery. If you continue to use the headphone amplifier without charging, it will turn off automatically.

Note

  • When using balanced connection with headphones that have low impedance (less than 16 ohms), the limiter prevents excessive output, which may cause the sound to be cut off. In this case, turn down the volume of the headphone amplifier.
  • If you turn the volume up too high, it may damage your hearing. Be careful not to turn the volume up too high.
  • Do not connect your headphones to the headphone jack (stereo mini) and headphone jack (Balanced standard) simultaneously.
  • In the following cases, the relay in the internal circuit will make a sound.
    • When the unit is turned on
    • When the internal circuit is switched to another state
  • Connect balanced connection compatible headphones to the headphone jack (Balanced standard) of the headphone amplifier properly. Otherwise sound quality will not be upgraded.
  • Connect passive type (without noise canceling functions or Bluetooth functions) balanced connection compatible headphones to the headphone jack (Balanced standard). If you connect a line input, etc., of another device, it may cause a malfunction.
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