Go-VibePetite+DAC Earphone Amplifier

Got this amp yesterday with a AT-SQ5 Cans, A Pure Silver IC and a Alessandro Headphone Box from Jaben yesterday and I could not have been happier.

I actually went there looking to get a blue Hornet, but after hearing the cans and trying this amp, I decided this purchase makes more sense as I get to have a DAC and a real portable amp with decent SQ (sorry ibasso, T1 can't do it for me and the static sounds when using outdoors just kills off the mood to listen).

It's small size, the lighted power switch and usage of 4 AAA batteries, ability to charge via USB and ease of Plug and Play as DAC just made it a must buy for me. Honestly, I felt like I bought a budget Tomahawk with DAC function and it suits my use as an amp and to complement my notebook on the move.

I had previously posted some enquiries on this amp and been waiting for more reviews here for my own purchase decision, but did not see any. So now I wish to share the info on this nice amp to y'all.

This amp is not for my DT990 though because it is stated for 16 ohms to 120 ohms. There are 2 gain settings at 9.5 and 6. There is also a amp-only model.

I also think the printed words on the amp should be in a more visible and colour as I find the red markings not clear enough for me.

I have been burning mine in since yesterday afternoon and the sound had improved some... and the synergy with the SQ5 cans is good as it brings out the bass power and depth of the closed dynamic square cans very well. I am not good at describing sound and will not try to.

I would love to put my pics up here, soon as I snatch my Digicam back from my sister who borrowed it. Meanwhile, you may have a look at pics of it at this link to a thread on it from Jaben's forum page.

GoVibe, Petite...

Cheers.

Awesome. Looks like a very nice budget DAC/Amp combo.

When you get your digicam back could you be able to open it up and take some pics of the internals.

Oh yeah, how much did the petite set you back?

Wow good to see Jaben continuing the GoVibe line of amps!

Spotted some more info and different pics... striking different poses. You may understand better what I mean about the red markings being not so clear to see:

GoVibe Petite-DAC first pics!

Sure, I will try to strip her up. Hope no top secret chips inadvertently exposed. LOL.

About the price of anything I got from Uncle Wilson, I gave word not to give my price. You may just register at his forum to ask or pm him here in headfi where he is a sponsor too, as I understand. From what I know, he is always friendly and helpful to customers. You may get a friendlier price, who knows?

These are not made by Norm, right? Doesn't seem right if someone else is using the Go-Vibe name without his involvement...

when norm got out of the business with his last go-vibe 7 he asked if anyone wanted to carry on the go-vibe name...and jaben (or the people who own jaben...don't know the exact details) got the rights to the go-vibe name. so this is legit...

I have always loved the Go-Vibe and the V7 Max is an excellent amp. But I gotta tell you all, this amp looks a little too close to the Predator for comfort. It seems lately, companies are stealing eachothers designs more and more. What gives??

The Pico started it all. Then the Predator started to look like the Pico. Now this Go Vibe Petite + DAC looks like the Predator. Enough is enough already.

Oh, and how did you buy it? I don't see how you can buy anything from Jaben's website. Please show me how. Thanks.

I don't think the Predator look like the Pico The series of RSA amps all look the same.
If you want to buy something from Jaben, just PM Uncle Wilson on this forum, he's a very kind man

Since I first visited and bought from Jaben in Aug/Sept 2006, I known they had sold Go-Vibes V5 till now, maybe even earlier ones. I also recalled seeing an earlier post somewhere that Go-Vibe will be continued by Jaben.

Not so sure about Predator I had not seen one yet. But most amps do look similar because most use similar cases and caps... unless they go way out to differentiate like the C&C XO or F1 amps. Then again, inside may just be similar too. I have also not seen a Pico though I have read enough of the info on it to know it is something wonderful.

As what I know, Ray and Justin have their sections of FAQ in Jaben's forums, and I understand Jaben will be bringing both the Predator and the Pico in, so it would not make sense for Jaben to jeopardise their own selling and I trust uncle Wilson is not such a person to do such things. Perhaps when one has visited his shop or ever bought from him will know better how he is like. I would not want to be seen as advertising for him here or anywhere even though I have been happy to buy from him and pay him with my own hard earned cash for the products I want, and I enjoy his friendliness and hospitality at his shop. I also see a lot of other customers of different races and nationalities with smiling faces there chatting away.

How I bought?

I count myself lucky to reside in Singapore where Jaben is centrally located, so I bought my stuff by going to the shop and paying them directly. I think we have quite a few other nice shops too which sell audio or headfi stuff, but Jaben is convenient as it is only half an hour away by rail for me, and they always got so much new and nice stuff arriving almost everyday or every other day. I never thought any shop can have such fast turnover of such products until I saw with my own eyes at the shop when they were selling the mylarones. It's really crazy and sometimes I have to stand outside as I can't get into the shop even.

I guess you may want to email to David "at" jaben "dot" net or Wilson "at" jaben "dot" net (the " "s are to prevent spam going to them I believe, as that was how they stated on their online shopping page when I tried going to jaben.net for you.)

Hope you are satisfied with my sincere replies to your questions. Thank you for reading my enjoyment sharing thread because I am liking the amp and also its DAC function, especially the bass synergy with my SQ5 I feel. Like I mentioned somewhere, it is my budget version of Tomahawk, which I can't really afford.

Now back to more listening after all the burn in... hahaha. Cheers.

I wish I lived in Singapore

That place sounds so cool.

Just because portable amps + DAC are the next step in portable evoloution doesn't mean anyone's copying anybody else. The iBasso D1 was released a month before the Pico was even announced, but I never heard anyone cry foul there. There's been the Porta Corda III, the Move. The Piccolo amp/Dac came out a few years ago, so a portable amp/DAC isn't the intellectual property of anyone. The more options the merrier, for all of us. Accusing people of stealing other's designs are serious allegations, and unless you've actually compared the circuit designs and know what you are looking at, you shouldn't insinuate anything to that effect. How an amp's casing looks really has nothing to do with the circuit design.

yeah, let's not jump to conclusions...portable amp/DAC combos, while very popular right now, have been in existence for a few years, at least.

Woot...I wonder how this stacks up against other amps...sure is an ugly bugger though, lol.

As long as you don't jaywalk or spit on the sidewalk...

I'm sure Headroom predates all of the amps mentioned so far, and I wouldn't be surprised if someone predates even them.