Originally Posted by Dept_of_Alchemy
Common sense trumps hype everytime (eventually). The limitations of portable design makes it hard to compete with home amps at the same price level. That's why the LDII-series was so popular.
Of course... there are always exceptions. I for one don't hold the earlier LD tube amps in that high regard. True they are so-so sounding for the $, until the unit fails. I for one would take a mini^3, mister-X XP or a well made pint over the original LDII, but more for reliability reasons than anything sonic.
IMHO the "marketed" (non-DIY) desktop amps in the $100-$150 range leave a lot to be desired.
After reading all the comments, I still believe (even with the K701 or HD650)... if you're on a tight budget say ~$150. Your best value is still a portable amp. $150 barely even gets you into Millet Hybrid territory, but then again thats a DIY. Its not so much that portable amps in this price rang are that good, its more that the desktop amps are that bad.... IMHO
However, saying a portable amp sonically out-paces a desktop is stretching things a little IMHO especially when you scale up the $$$ ladder.